Getting your first period is an exciting milestone. But like anything new, it can create a little bit nervousness before it’s happened. Will I know what to do? Will it hurt? What will it be like? Will it be heavy? Will it be light? Is it normal to have a heavy first period? Is it normal to have a light first period?
All of these concerns are completely normal. Reading up and learning about your period and what to expect is the best way to remain calm and optimistic. And we’re here to help.
Will my first period be heavy?Aunt Flo. The Red Tide. Riding The Wave. There are lots of euphemisms for getting your period, and a lot of them make it sound like your first period is going to be really heavy. In reality, this is unlikely to be the case. Your first period will most likely be really light, showing up as just a few spots of menstrual fluid.
But what if my first period isn’t light?It’s not typical, but it’s perfectly normal to have a heavy first period. So, if you get your first period and it isn’t super light, that’s no big deal. If you’re worried about a heavy first period, talk to your mum and think about scheduling an appointment with a doctor to discuss your concerns.
Be sure to stock up on. They have an absorbent core that turns liquid into gel – and gel can’t leak – for up to 100% leakage protection, regardless of whether you have a heavy first period or not.
What will my first period look like?You may be surprised when your first period is just a few brownish spots in your knickers, and not the heavy first period you may have been expecting. Brown blood is just blood that isn’t fresh. When menstrual flow is very light, blood often takes a little longer to come out of the body, and thus turns brown before coming out the vagina. So that’s why your first period may not be the bright red you may be expecting.
Your period will last between 3 to 7 days. Once your period becomes regular (this can take a year or two as your body adjusts to the new hormones in it that control menstruation), it will come about every 28 days, give or take. You may want to mark down on a calendar when you get your first period. This way, you’ll have some idea when your next one will come.
Your first period may be heavy (or heavier, at least!) on the first day or two of your period and then start to taper out over the last few days of your period. This is normal. On those first few days when your first period will be heavy, you’ll just have to change your pad more often. No biggie, and certainly nothing to worry about.
What do I do when I get my first period?Tell your mum or a trusted adult that you got your period. Then, you’ll want to use a sanitary pad to protect your knickers from menstrual fluid. These go in the crotch of your knickers and should be changed every 4 to 8 hours.
Here’s how to use a pad like ALWAYS Ultra:
- First, take it out of its wrapper
- Next, pull off the paper strip on the back of the pad. If your pad has wings, pull the paper strip off the wings, too.
- Then, press the sticky side into your knickers. If there are wings on your pad, fold those over the sides of your knickers so they stick to the outside of your panties.
When you need to change your pad, remove it from your panties, wrap it up, and bin it. Never ever flush it!
