The first period typically occurs after a female first ovulates. This happens when the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube. When this happens, the womb lining thickens in preparation for the egg to be fertilized. If fertilization does not occur, the lining sheds, as the body no longer needs it.
Vaginal/cervical fluid
Some people will notice this about 6–12 months before a first period (10). It will likely be a thin, whitish liquid, and won't have much of a smell. As you get close to your first period, you may be able to notice the fluid from your vagina changing day-to-day.
Pubic hair – Once her pubic hair starts growing, you can expect her period to develop in one to two years. It may begin soft and thin but it will become courser and thicker towards the end of puberty.
In the years leading up to your first period, you'll notice changes in your nipples, chest and pubic hair. Your body will become more like an adult, and becoming pregnant will become possible. For most people, these changes become noticeable around ages 8–10, but can happen earlier or later than that (1,2).
Vaginal discharge is also usually noticed about 6 to 12 months before a period starts.” Around this time, your child might also experience a growth spurt. According to Dr. Webzell, the key signs that your daughter is about to start her first period may include: Spotting of blood.
A normal discharge usually begins in girls when they start breast development and puberty. It is due to increased estrogen (hormone) levels. The discharge is clear or whitish, thin and small in amount.
Menarche is defined as the first menstrual period in a female adolescent. Menarche typically occurs between the ages of 10 and 16, with the average age of onset being 12.4 years.
Your first period should last anywhere from 2 to 7 days. It may be very light, with just a few spots of brownish blood. Or it may start and end more brownish, but be brighter red on heavier flow days.
There's no way to know exactly when you'll get your first period. One day, you'll see blood in your underwear or on your sheets, and boom — there it is! There may be signs of your first period (like cramps, bloating, or pimples), but this doesn't happen for everyone.
Smaller sizes are best for lighter flow. A lot of people think you have to use pads with your first period, but there's no reason why you can't use a tampon if you want. It's your choice! Both pads and tampons are safe, even for your first period.
If a girl starts menstruation at a young age, it's usually because the hormones in her body responsible for puberty are being produced earlier.
When you first start having your period, it may last only a few days. Your first few periods may be very light. You may only see a few spots of reddish brown blood. Anywhere from 2 to 7 days is normal.
The first period will typically begin a couple of years after the first signs of puberty appear. However, there is no precise way of knowing when it will begin. Several days before the first period, some females may notice spotting in their underwear or abdominal cramps.
Normal sexual behaviors in toddlers and preschoolers
Normative (normal), common "sexual" behavior in 2- to 6-year-olds may include: Touching/rubbing genitals in public or private. Looking at or touching a peer's or sibling's genitals. Showing genitals to peers.
While your child is young, the skin around the vulva (external female genital area) can be quite thin, and this can lead to it being easily irritated. Occasional itching around the vulval area is common. Sometimes, irritation to the skin can cause pain (see our fact sheet Vulvovaginitis).
Before a period
Vaginal discharge changes during the menstrual cycle. In preparation for ovulation and during it, discharge tends to be stretchy and wet. The body produces more mucus at this stage than after it. Ovulation occurs between days 11 and 21 of the menstrual cycle.
Spotting is light bleeding that can occur between periods. It usually appears as a small amount of blood when wiping or on underwear. Possible causes include birth control, pregnancy, menopause, and more.
If you are a woman with sensitive skin, we recommend you choose a pad made of extremely soft cotton. If you are prone to rashes, we recommend you choose an anti-rash sanitary pad.
High protein intake elevates IGF-1 levels and promotes growth, which could accelerate the onset of puberty. Poor diet. Children with lower-nutrient diets tend to enter puberty earlier. A diet rich in processed foods and meats, dairy, and fast food is disruptive to normal physical development.
Menarche usually happens 2 to 2 to 2 ½ years after your breasts begin to develop. You can get your period as early as 9 or as late as 15. Many factors influence when menarche begins, but it's common to get your period at around the same time your mother or birthing parent did.
Some girls, however, are not fully developed until they are 20. Girls' breasts usually bud before their first period, but full development of the breast goes on for some time after.
What if you get your period at night? If you start bleeding in the evening or overnight, it can be confusing whether to count that as your Day 1 since there are just a few hours left in that day. For the sake of simplicity, I recommend that you do count that as your Day 1.
Once a girl begins to menstruate (have periods), she can use tampons. There's no specific age since the time when a girl gets her first period isn't the same for everyone. Tampons come in different sizes and absorbencies (slender to super absorbent).