Your First Period Is a New Chapter
Your first period can arrive with plenty of questions:
What is happening?
Is this normal?
What do I do now?
Who should I tell?
Knowing what to expect beforehand can help you feel more prepared.
What Is a Period?
A period is part of the menstrual cycle.
During the menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus builds up. If pregnancy does not occur, the body sheds this lining through the vagina. The blood and tissue leaving the body are what we call a menstrual period.
Your first menstrual period is known as menarche.
When Will My First Period Start?
There is no single exact age.
Your first period usually happens after other signs of puberty have begun. Because everybody develops differently, avoid worrying simply because a friend starts before or after you.
How Long Will It Last?
Periods can vary, especially when they first begin. Early menstrual cycles may not always follow a predictable schedule.
Keeping track of when your period begins and ends can help you gradually understand your own pattern.
What Should I Do When My First Period Arrives?
First, know that menstruation is normal.
If you’re at home, tell a parent, caregiver or another trusted adult.
If you’re at school and don’t have a sanitary pad, you can ask a teacher, school nurse or another trusted adult for assistance.
Once you have a pad, follow the instructions on the packaging and change it regularly according to your flow and comfort needs.
Prepare a Yazz® Period Kit
Keep a small pouch containing:
- Sanitary pads
- Clean underwear
- Tissues
- A small disposal bag
- A period calendar or tracker
Keep one at home and, where possible, another in your school bag.
Yazz® Tip Just 4 You
Your first period isn’t something you need to hide or feel ashamed about.
It’s your body growing — and knowledge helps you feel prepared.