Establishment of menstruation in adolescents. The first periods in girls (menarche): when they begin, early signs of maturation, pathological symptoms

Puberty is a special period in the life of every girl. When her period begins, the girl must be mentally prepared. Modern children have access to almost any information, so many of them know about menstruation long before their onset. However, parents must find out whether the child perceives this information correctly and what thoughts and feelings it evokes in him.

As a rule, when the first critical days begin, a girl may experience a feeling of fear or anxiety, because such a process is happening to her for the first time. During hormonal changes, a child needs the support and attention of loved ones more than ever.

When does a girl normally start menstruating for the first time?

In the last century, girls began menstruating for the first time around the age of 18. Now the situation has changed - menstruation can begin in a child at 12–16 years old. Although the most optimal age When a girl starts menstruating, she is considered to be 12–13 years old.

According to doctors, early puberty is not a deviation - it is only an individual developmental feature. It is worth noting that sexual development is greatly influenced by hormonal background.

What determines how soon the first period comes? The following factors influence this process:

• Past illnesses: meningitis, chronic form tonsillitis, encephalitis, frequent viral diseases. It happens that a girl who was often sick or suffered serious illnesses, may lag behind their peers in puberty.
• Level physical development. Height, weight and physical form girls have a big influence on puberty - stronger and taller girls critical days usually occur much earlier.
• Lifestyle: sports activities, food quality. For full development, a growing body needs useful and nutritious substances - their lack can provoke a delay not only in physical and mental development, but also sexual.
• State nervous system. Frequent stressful situations can either bring forward or delay menstruation.
• Hereditary predisposition to early maturation. If someone from the female half of the family began menstruation in early age Most likely, your daughter (granddaughter) starts having periods at about the same age.
• Region of residence. According to statistics, natives of the south and east begin menstruation earlier than representatives of western and northern peoples.

IN medical practice There are cases when girls get their first periods at the age of 9–10 years, and sometimes earlier. This is possible with hormonal imbalances and increased physical and emotional stress.

Delayed sexual development can be suspected if a girl does not have periods by the age of 17. The cause may be improper functioning of the ovaries, emotional stress, disruption of the thyroid gland, debilitating sports training, insufficient amount of food consumed (deliberate fasting, malnutrition).

Precursors and signs of the first menstruation

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How do you know when your period will start for the first time? Usually, mothers notice the signs of the very first menstruation, because they are the ones who constantly monitor the health of their beloved children. If a girl’s period has already begun, but the conversation has not yet been held, during this period the main thing is not to delay the moral preparation of the child for the new life stage. In about 1–2 years, the girl armpits and hairs begin to appear on the pubic area, the figure becomes rounded, and the breasts become visible. During this period, some people experience acne on the face, neck and back.

Some time before the first menstruation begins, the child may be bothered by atypical discharge. If they are not different pungent odor and do not cause discomfort, then this is normal. Otherwise, you should consult a doctor.

How can you tell when your period is about to start? The most characteristic signs:

• The mammary glands increase in size. May be observed painful sensations and tingling in the chest are possible transparent discharge from the nipples.
• Abdominal pain radiating to the lower back. The intensity of abdominal pain is individual for each girl; for some it causes slight discomfort, and there are cases when pain relief is necessary.
• Acne on the face. The rash usually goes away with age, but can also bother mature women.
• Intestinal dysfunction. The onset of menstruation is accompanied by the separation of the endometrium, as a result of which the uterus swells, therefore, it begins to put pressure on the intestinal walls, so disruptions in the functioning of the intestines and a more frequent urge to defecate are possible.

The listed symptoms are most pronounced a week before the onset of menstruation. There are also subjective signs that menstruation will begin soon: increased appetite, depression, noticeable swelling of the legs, face and chest. For several days before the onset of menstruation, you can observe signs of premenstrual syndrome in your child, which are typical for adult girls and women:

• sudden mood swings;
• increased irritability and aggressiveness;
• apathy;
• causeless headaches;
• nagging pain in the lower abdomen.

Features of the first menstruation

Normal menstrual cycle for a mature girl (woman) lasts from 28 to 32 days with a discharge duration of 3–7 days. In adolescents, hormonal changes can affect the regularity of the cycle. In general, this is a normal process.

When the very first critical days are already behind us, how long should we wait for the cycle to become regular? Regularity is usually established within two years after the start of menstruation. IN adolescence quantity bleeding during menstruation should be moderate or small. Increased bleeding is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

The first critical days may cause general weakness, dizziness and increased fatigue. Pain in the lower abdomen, which often bothers girls during their first periods, should disappear three days after their onset. If the pain is too severe, you can try to relieve it with medication.

How long do they last?

The normal duration of menstruation is from 3 days to a week. The amount of bleeding in girls is usually larger at the beginning and gradually decreases until it stops. If the discharge is heavy and lasts more than a week, the girl should be shown to a specialist. Until the regularity of the cycle is established, the break between periods in adolescents can range from 21 to 34 days. The regularity of the cycle is influenced not only emotional condition, but also climate change, physical activity.

When does the cycle return to normal?

Menarche in girls is no different from menstruation in adult women, so the normal duration ranges from 3 to 7 days. A duration longer than this period is abnormal - in such cases a visit to a gynecologist will be required.

The phases of the cycle are formed and established during the first two years. During this period, some failures are possible, which will pass over time.

How to prepare a girl?

The period of growing up is quite complex and unpredictable, so it is important that parents treat their children responsibly during this special time. When the first signs of approaching menarche appear, it is necessary to have a warm, friendly conversation with the child. A prepared girl will have a much easier time coping with the onset of menstruation.

What should you talk about with your daughter while waiting for the first critical days? First of all, you need to tell your daughter what personal hygiene products are used during menstruation, how to use them and where to get them. The girl must learn that she will encounter this process every month, so she will need to keep a special calendar to track the regularity and calculate the frequency of the cycle. It is important to tell how you should behave during your critical days, because excessive physical activity is dangerous during such a period.

The girl needs to be explained that her body is already ready for the birth of a new life. Parents should pay Special attention issue of protection from unwanted pregnancy and ways to prevent infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. You need to talk kindly and calmly so that the child does not hesitate to ask questions that may arise in the future.

What should parents pay attention to?

What should parents do if their child has abnormal periods? Menarche progresses differently for each girl. Some people do not feel any special changes in their condition, and for some it is very painful. Parents should closely monitor their daughter’s condition and know in which cases a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

The most common reasons to visit a doctor:

• too much early start the first critical days (up to 11 years) or later than 16 years;
• copious discharge bright scarlet color or with a yellowish tint - may indicate a possible pathology;
• brown and gray discharge are not normal;
• a long break after the first menstruation (more than 3 months) may indicate disturbances in the body or may be caused by too intense physical activity;
• regularity has not been established one and a half years after menarche;
• severe abdominal pain that persists throughout menstruation;
• deviations from the norm in the duration of menstruation (less than 3 days or more than 8).

Sometimes, to solve the problem, it is not enough to visit a gynecologist - you may need full examination child. You should not delay your visit to a specialist, because problems identified in time are much easier to solve.

Girls begin their periods between the ages of 12 and 14. However, sometimes earlier or later menarche (first menstruation) is normal. Typically, girls begin menstruating around the same age as their mothers. And in the last 10-20 years, girls have experienced earlier puberty. Most likely this is due to good nutrition and way of life. The girl is not starving, which means she has normal concentration the main one is produced female hormone- estrogen, which regulates puberty and subsequently affects the reproductive system.

The first menstruation in girls always occurs after the formation of secondary sexual characteristics. From about 9 years old, girls begin to grow quickly (they often outstrip boys in height). They develop hair under their arms, dark hair on their legs and pubic area, and sometimes on their chin and above their lips. Then (no more than 2-3 years later) menstruation begins. Before this crucial moment, the girl may develop acne on her face and small transparent discharge from her nipples. By this time, mothers should already explain to their daughters what changes are happening in their bodies, what girls’ periods are like, what their cyclicity is and, of course, about hygiene on menstruation days.

Despite the fact that now there are mini tampons that can be used by virgins, preference should be given to good ones sanitary pads. Mothers should worry in advance that their daughters do not lack data hygiene products, since even with scanty menstruation You need to change pads at least 2 times a day.

What to do if periods are often delayed in 11- and 12-year-old girls? We are accustomed to the fact that menstruation should come regularly, and even small deviations from the norm indicate some kind of problem in the body. But things are different for teenage girls. 2-3 years after menarche, the cycle will be established, that is, menstruation may begin a little earlier and a little later, be abundant in one month, and scanty in another, as well as painful. You shouldn’t get used to the pain; you can talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking antispasmodics on menstrual periods. Scanty periods are not a big deal either. But abundant ones can be dangerous if they are really very abundant... It is dangerous if the pads have to be changed more often than once every 2-3 hours. You should also consult a doctor if there are delays longer than 3 months (the reason for this is often following strict diets for weight loss), prolonged menstruation (longer than 7 days), and if the intervals between monthly bleeding are less than 21 days.

Girls 15 years of age and older have periods that are more regular. By this time, puberty is slowly ending. By the age of 18-20, girls have a formed figure according to female type, have a regular menstrual cycle and can conceive and bear a child without difficulty or complications.

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Of course, you are most likely no longer a teenager. But perhaps you have teenage children or teenage grandchildren, and some of them are girls. And these girls, most of them, will have to face a completely normal physiological phenomenon of their lives - the formation of menstrual cycles, which will be accepted by most parents and most doctors as a pathological problem. An analysis of communication with parents and doctors, especially in the CIS countries, showed a very unpleasant picture: more than 97-98% of doctors and parents have a very false idea about normal menstrual cycles in girls. Many women, now mothers, have also gone through many years of taking hormonal contraceptives from an early age. adolescence, which not only did not help, but also aggravated their problems, and for many, pregnancy and childbirth were not easy.

For some reason, it so happened that the topic of sexual development of children was completely left aside not only in the training of medical personnel, but also by the entire public. Look at the content of health forums and websites. Conceiving a child, pregnancy, the first 3-5 years of a child’s life - these are the main topics that are discussed on the forums. And then a space. When you analyze the problems faced by women who want to conceive a child, the trail negative consequences stretches far into the past - during their adolescence, when we all, without exception, go through very important stage puberty, which will determine our future as parents. However, due to fears and ignorance of many issues of this development, we cripple ourselves and deprive ourselves of the opportunity to become parents in the future, and allow the body to be crippled by illiterate specialists who have a false idea about the sexual development of a child or do not have such an idea at all.
Modern scientific information on the topic of sexual development for the Russian-speaking population is practically absent, and what is offered on the pages of magazines, websites, forums, and various publications is a repetition of the same old dogmas of medicine, backward, untrue information.

Human sexual development has several stages, but we will talk about adolescence. This is a period of a new surge in metabolic processes in the body of children, which ends with puberty and the ability of a person to reproduce. This period begins with an increase in the level of male sex hormones in both girls and boys, which is why it is called adrenarche, at approximately 6-8 years. Most of These hormones are produced by the adrenal cortex.
Why does a girl’s body need male sex hormones? It is necessary to know and understand that male sex hormones are precursors to female sex hormones. In other words, a woman’s body is a “production plant” of male sex hormones, some of which are processed into female sex hormones. Most doctors don’t know about this, so they consider male sex hormones to be enemy number one for women. But without the masculine there will never be a feminine - a law of nature, not invented by us and operating outside of our consciousness and desire. (Read more about this topic in the article on male sex hormones).
After the period of adrenarche, thelarche occurs. Thelarche is engorgement of the mammary glands, which is a sign of the beginning of a new stage of puberty. Menarche (first menstruation) usually begins 2-3 years after thelarche appears.
Over the past 150 years, the age at which girls begin menstruating has become significantly younger. Average age the appearance of menarche depends on race, nutrition, place of residence (city, countryside), hereditary factors, body weight, and other factors. About 30 years ago the average age was about 14.5 years in many countries, however, these figures have now dropped to 12.4 years. About 10% of girls begin menstruating at age 11, and 90% of adolescents begin menstruating at age 13.75. By age 15, 98% of girls have menstruated.
The age window when a woman can conceive and give birth to children, called her reproductive age, has expanded significantly over the past 200 years. Another 100-150 years ago, most women experienced menopause at 40 years old. Modern women menstruate until the age of 50-55. This is due to the fact that people’s life expectancy has increased significantly and in many countries it is 70-80 years. Therefore, the age at which menstrual cycles begin has also become younger.

Teenage girls, their parents and, unfortunately, some doctors do not know to what extent the irregularity of menstrual cycles in adolescence is a manifestation of pathology or normality. Most often, the results of hormonal examinations differ from the norms for adult woman However, doctors do not take into account the age of girls, but prescribe long-term hormonal treatment, which not only does not improve the situation, but often worsens it.
If there is no contact based on trust between teenage girls and their parents, many adolescent problems, including those related to function reproductive system, remain out of discussion. Girls hide about whether they missed monthly cycle, how often the pads are changed, how long the menstrual cycle is. Often Additional information Teenage girls receive information about sexual development from their peers, and not from parents and doctors. And this information is very dubious.
Over the past two decades, a lot of research has been conducted on the topic of menstrual cycles and their disorders in teenage girls. According to WHO, 38% of girls had a menstrual cycle from menarche to second menstruation lasting more than 40 days, 10% more than 60 days, and 20% 20 days. The duration of the first menstruation ranges from 2 to 7 days, but often lasts up to 2 weeks.
It was erroneously believed that if girls do not have egg maturation (ovulation), then this is a pathology that needs to be treated as quickly as possible. If menstruation begins at age 12, it has been proven that such adolescents will have anovulatory cycles for a year or more. Anovulation (lack of egg maturation) is normal for a teenage girl. In teenage girls, cysts are more often observed on ultrasound, mainly functional cysts that do not require treatment and surgical intervention In most cases.

What don't doctors and parents know? What about establishing regular ovulatory cycles takes from 8 to 12 years. The process of maturation of the mechanism for regulating menstrual cycles, or more precisely, the process of establishing the full function of the reproductive system, which is responsible for the reproduction of offspring, has several stages and lasts several years. The last stage is the maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary center for the regulation of sexual development and the functioning of the reproductive system, and it is this link in the regulation of the menstrual cycle in teenage girls that is immature for a long period of time, which, from the point of view of human physiology, is the norm for this age and does not require intervention adjusting this process. Formation process last stage The mechanism of regulation of the menstrual cycle ends at approximately 21-22 years, but in some women it may be delayed.
Translated into English language the word "teenager" sounds teen or teenager. The root of this word has a connection with numbers: thirteen (13), fourteen (14) and so on until nineteen (19). The age from 12 to 20 years is considered adolescence abroad. In many countries, 21 is the age of majority. And therein lies an important meaning: teenagers are people who are going through a stage of maturation, including the stage of sexual development, which ends by the age of 21-22. This category of the population has completely different indicators of the norms of functioning of their body on different levels, just like in pregnant women or older people. But in most cases, doctors compare the results of examinations of adolescents with the norms of mature age group of people.

What else do parents and doctors not know? Most teenage menstrual cycles last between 21 and 45 days. In an adult woman, a menstrual cycle lasting 14-40 days is considered normal (on average, 21-35 days). The first three years after the onset of menstruation, cycles last more than 28-35 days, but with age they become shorter, more regular, and are more often accompanied by full maturation of the egg. The following cycle fluctuations in adolescents are considered normal:
The first year after menarche – 23-90 days;
Fourth year – 24-50 days;
Seventh year – 27-38 days.
The individual menstrual cycle is therefore restored no earlier than 19-20 years. The duration of menstruation is 3-7 days, and the girl usually changes 3-6 pads per day.
However, there are a number of conditions that you need to pay attention to. These include:
Lack of menstruation for 6 months or more;
Availability endocrine diseases(diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, etc.);
Hereditary predisposition to polycystic ovary syndrome;
Excessive exercise;
Anorexia, bulimia;
Chronic stress;
Taking medications, drugs;
Tumors of the pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenal glands;
Blood diseases.
Most often, the duration of the menstrual cycle is influenced by stress (emotional and physical) and poor nutrition (low and high weight). Girls often complain that during examination sessions or after them, menstruation is late or absent for several weeks. This is a consequence of anxiety and overwork, and therefore does not require the intervention of a doctor in the vast majority of cases.

What simple truth should you understand and teach your children to understand? All of us, without exception, were brought into this world for the purpose of further reproducing our own kind. Living nature has no other goals except one: to continue the process of Life in any way through the reproduction of living individuals. Man is no exception. Therefore, all processes in human body are aimed at preparing the body for its reproduction. However, if external or internal factors, which can disrupt the function of the entire organism and lead to its death, then the self-preservation program of the living organism is automatically activated. This program is embedded in genes, every representative of living nature has it, and manifests itself through reflexes, instincts, behavior and the body’s response to changes in metabolic processes.
Now think carefully: if the body is in a state of stress, is it possible to reproduce it? Of course not. After all, this is a serious additional load, and if the body is in a state of emergency, then why does it need additional stress? Therefore, first of all, it turns off and blocks reproductive function living organism to increase its chance of survival. This is why plants and animals cannot reproduce in unfavorable conditions. This is the law of Self-preservation and Self-survival. We, people, live by the same laws, although because of our stupid pride we often reject and do not recognize these laws. Like, we are taller and therefore smarter...

Returning to teenage girls: if a teenager’s body is under the influence of some stress factors (including family scandals), the process of puberty may also be disrupted and even shut down or slow down for an indefinite period of time. This also applies to poor nutrition, especially strict diets with quick loss weight. Do you know that the work of the reproductive system in many young girls, chasing a skinny skeletal figure in response to the flashy fashion of tuberculosis-dry models, is irrevocably suppressed and such women remain not only infertile, but are in a state of early menopause (menopause) for life? It is impossible to restore the functioning of the ovaries in such “experimenters” in most cases, and doctors are completely powerless here. Because blocking of this work occurs at a level of body function that can be reached even with the modern level of knowledge and modern methods treatment is not yet possible - entry is prohibited by Nature itself. It turns out that women themselves become enemies of their own own body, enemies of their femininity and enemies of motherhood.

Adipose tissue plays a very important role in human life. In relation to sexual development and regulation of menstrual cycles, it is necessary, first of all, because it is involved in the absorption and exchange of sex hormones - both male and female. If there is a lack of it, the process of assimilation of female sex hormones is disrupted. How can the regulation of menstrual cycles occur without these hormones? No way. For menstruation to begin, a girl’s body must have at least 20-21% fatty tissue of her total body weight. To keep your cycles regular, female body needs 22-24% adipose tissue. Therefore, an organism in the form of “skin and bones” from the point of view of female nature is considered a pathological option, and in such an organism all reproductive processes are minimized or completely suppressed. Perhaps for a teenage girl this negativism of nature is not so important compared to appearance, which she tries to create with her abuse of the body. But the task of parents is to warn such unthinking children about serious consequences fasting, dieting and intense exercise.
Often parents themselves see future Olympic champions in their children and create too harsh conditions for difficult physical activity, without thinking about the fact that not everyone is destined to be champions, but the chance of such children and adolescents becoming reproductively disabled in the future is very high. Typically, these girls, like female athletes, have higher levels of male sex hormones, so they are more likely to experience menstrual cycle disorders.
Excess weight and obesity, which are often accompanied by inactivity, can also disrupt the regularity of menstrual cycles, since adipose tissue accumulates male sex hormones, and the exchange of sex hormones is disrupted.

When should a girl be examined and how often? Since sexual development begins from the age of 8 in most children, many doctors suggest examining girls with a gynecologist (external genitalia, mammary glands) from this age once a year. Others recommend starting screenings at 12 or 13 years of age. It is very important to explain to adolescents and parents the stages of puberty and the features of this maturation. For example, not all girls' breasts develop symmetrically. When menstruation begins, the girl is encouraged to keep a calendar to monitor the length of her menstrual cycles. Unfortunately, there is no universal plan for monitoring and counseling adolescent girls. According to the recommendations of many doctors, menstrual cycles lasting 42-180 days can be considered a pathology in adolescents; secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation for 180 days or more. Girls who suspect menstrual irregularities are asked to undergo examination - physical examination, hormonal levels, ultrasound, measurement of body mass index.

Treatment of menstrual irregularities in teenage girls depends on the cause of these irregularities. If a girl plays sports intensively and does not get enough sleep while preparing for classes and exams, it is important to create the most favorable conditions for the child. good rest. Many girls try to diet, imitating their idols. Such teenagers will benefit from consultation with a child psychologist, psychotherapist, with the involvement of a nutritionist and nutritionist. Ovarian tumors in adolescence are not always benign, so removing them can solve problems with menstrual cycles. Treatment diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, adrenal hyperplasia, prolactinoma, a number of medications significantly improve the regularity of cycles. Prescription of COCs (combined oral contraceptives) and others hormonal drugs must be seriously justified. The use of COCs to regulate menstrual cycles without appropriate examination, without determining the causes of this irregularity, is often medical error, and therefore not recommended until 19-20 years old. If the teenager started sex life, in such cases, COCs can be one of the methods of contraception, but the prescription of COCs should be carried out individually in the absence of contraindications.
Most often, doctors prescribe without any reason hormonal contraceptives. They do not know, like many parents do, that hormonal contraceptives do not regulate menstrual cycles. What are they doing? The main function of contraceptives is to protect against pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives create regular artificial withdrawal bleeding. In other words, cycles while taking COCs are not natural cycles that occur under the influence of the ovaries, but just artificially created cycles of controlled bleeding. The ovaries do not work at full capacity during the period of taking COCs, as their function is suppressed.
It is a very false idea among women and doctors that when taking COCs, the ovaries supposedly rest. Imagine the situation: a woman decided to relax and called a maid from some agency about which she knows almost nothing. A young strong servant, without further explanation, locks the mistress of the house somewhere in the closet or basement of the woman’s own house, and at the same time begins to play the role of a housewife, mother and even wife. She is completely indifferent to a woman who does not understand what is happening in her house. When the contract is completed, the woman is free. I'm shocked? Most women will be shocked. This is exactly how hormonal contraceptives work, supposedly creating “rest” for the ovaries. After they are discontinued, in many women the menstrual cycle is disrupted even more, because the main cause of the cycle disruption is not determined before prescribing COCs. Modern medicine suffers from the fact that finding out the cause of a disease or a violation of some process is not encouraged, and prescribing some drugs to everyone without unnecessary analysis of the situation has become a prerogative.
Prescribing COCs to teenage girls can not only disrupt the subtle architectonics of the relationships and processes of sexual development and maturation, but also cause harm, creating a breakdown at those levels of these relationships where it will be impossible or too late to provide help in the future.

And one more extremely important point, which is never mentioned anywhere and by anyone, including doctors: female reproductive cells are given to a woman from the moment of her conception, are gradually lost, either at an accelerated or at a slow rate throughout the woman’s life, and are never restored. Therefore, take care of your ovaries like the apple of your eye. And teach your daughters to take care of them too. More detailed information There is a discussion on this topic in the article “Secrets of Conception and Early Pregnancy.”

Thus, the health of adolescents largely depends on the participation of parents in the lives of their children and understanding what is happening in the children’s bodies, what is normal, and what requires immediate medical intervention. Try to build a bridge of understanding and trust between yourself and your children from the moment of their conception and the moment of their birth, without being led by fears and rumors, without cluttering the child’s body with countless tests and medicines. With your hasty actions, you can cripple the life of a child and deprive him of the opportunity to become a father or mother in the future. So always think. And teach your children to think.

Teenage girls, menstrual cycle, hormones

Are you eager to become a girl? Are you a little worried and wondering how to find out when your period starts for the first time?

Yes, this is really very important and significant event in your life. The fact that you think about it a lot, worry, or even be afraid is completely normal. But here it is very important to understand that you are not alone and absolutely all girls go through this! And, as you can see, they feel fine! You're becoming a girl, that's great! So let's listen to our bodies, put an end to all fears and greet adulthood with a big, happy smile. But first, of course, we will find answers to all your questions. So, let's go.

At what age do girls start menstruating?

Some girls get their first period as early as 8–9 years old, while others have to wait until they are 15–16. The average age of onset of menstruation is 11–13 years. Therefore, you should not look at your friends and be upset if they have already started their periods, but you have not yet. This is not a case where the sooner the better. Your body knows better when it's time. The best way to understand that your period is about to start is to pay attention to other

There is no correct age to start menstruating. For every girl they come at their own time. On average, girls begin their first periods at 11–13 years of age.

If my mom got her period at 15, does that mean I should wait until I get my period at that age?

Probably yes. Research shows that genetic factors greatly influence the age at which menstruation begins. Therefore, it is necessary. Let her tell you how it happened the first time and why you shouldn’t be afraid of it. Maybe she even has some funny stories on this topic - you’ll laugh together. Mom will also be able to tell you about useful tricks and give you a pad just in case, so that you can carry it in your purse and be prepared for small surprises at any time.

Why haven't I started my period yet?

Every person has their own The biological clock, tuned to their time. Even if you feel like you'll never get your period, don't be afraid - it will happen soon!

What are the signs of your first period? How to understand that they will begin soon?

To do this, you need to monitor changes in your own body

• 
  

  What should I do if my period catches me at the most inopportune moment?

  Don't worry, your period probably won't start too suddenly. You will have time to notice a small stain on your panties and use a pad in time. But if you are very worried about this, you can start using thin panty liners (especially if you have already noticed all the signs of your period approaching).

  
  

  Always carry a pad in your purse to be prepared.

  
  

  What does the first period look like?

  I noticed a speck of red or Brown? This is it! Wear a pad. Most likely, the first periods will not be too intense, but everything is quite individual. You should know that menstrual discharge consists not only of blood, but also of a layer of the uterine mucosa and vaginal discharge. Therefore, their color can vary from red to brown. Don’t forget that during your period you should pay special attention.

  
  

  I started getting my period and then disappeared again for almost six months, is this normal?

  Yes, you're fine! For some girls, the menstrual cycle is established immediately, while for others it occurs after some time. Therefore, if your periods come irregularly during the first year, there is no need to worry. However, for your peace of mind, it is necessary. It's not scary at all, but it's very important for your health.

  
  

  How many days does menstruation last?

  
  

  For all girls they last differently - for some 3 days, for others 7 or 8. The average period is usually 4–5 days. In this case, the heaviest discharge occurs in the first couple of days.

  
  

  But what if my period never starts?

  Until the age of 16, you can relax and not worry (especially if you are thin). But if you are over 16 years old and your period has not started, this may mean primary amenorrhea (that is, absence of menstruation). Such a girl must undergo an examination by a doctor, based on the results of which she will be diagnosed and prescribed treatment.

  
  

  When do women stop menstruating?

  The menstrual cycle lasts until menopause occurs. This is the end of menstruation, after which a woman can no longer give birth to children. For most women, menopause occurs at about 50 years old, but it can be earlier, for example, at 35 or later - even at 60.

  
  

  Is it possible to prevent me from having periods?

  Well, I do not! Menstruation is the result normal operation hormones, therefore safe medical methods stop it or reduce its volume no. Get used to it. Now you are a girl, and this is part of your life!

  
  

  Still have questions about your first period? Then read ours or ask your question in the comments. We will definitely answer!

  
  
  

  Useful articles on the topic, in which you will also find a lot of interesting things:

The teenage years are a difficult period for both children and their parents. Physical changes during puberty often make you feel uncomfortable.

In girls, this occurs with the appearance of the first. The onset of the menstrual cycle can be frightening, especially if it is accompanied by certain problems, such as irregular periods or

Common menstrual problems

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Before menstruation begins, women often experience symptoms such as mild bloating or breast tenderness. In addition, it is accompanied by a number of emotional symptoms that begin in the second half of the menstrual cycle and end after the start of the period.

PMS includes a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, such as:

• Bloating
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Increased feeling of hunger
• Depression
• Irritability
• Anxiety

PMS worsens 4 days before the start of menstruation and disappears 2 to 3 days after it begins.

Although the exact cause of PMS is unknown, it appears to be due to changes in hormone levels in the body. In the second half of the menstrual cycle, the amount of progesterone in organism. Then, about 7 days before your period begins, both progesterone and estrogen levels begin to drop.

Some girls are more sensitive to hormonal changes, than others. Talk to your daughter's doctor if the symptoms she is experiencing are interfering with her normal activities.

Spasms

Girls often experience lower abdominal cramps during the first few days of their period. They are called chemical prostaglandin. These involuntary contractions can range from minor to sudden and intense.

Ibuprofen will help get rid of cramps, which is recommended to be taken during the first 2-3 days. If the spasms progress to severe seizures that keep her from going to school or going out with friends, see a doctor.

Irregular cycle

In teenagers The cycle becomes regular up to 2 - 3 years after the first menstruation. During this time, the body adjusts to the influx of hormones that characterize puberty. A typical adult woman's cycle is 28 days, although for some it may be 24 or 38.

Changing hormone levels affect the length of menstruation. In one month it may last only a few days, and in the next it can last a whole week. In addition, one month menstruation may be completely absent, and the intensity of bleeding may also change.

If after 3 years the cycle has not stabilized, consult a doctor to find out the reason. It is worth consulting a doctor if the cycle is less than 24 days or more than 38 days, as well as if there is no menstruation for 3 months.

Late menarche

Girls reach puberty at different time. Some ( medical term, denoting the first menstrual bleeding) occurs at age 9 or 10 years old. For others, at a later age. So just because your daughter is a late bloomer doesn't mean anything is wrong.

Genetics plays an important role in the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Very often, girls' first periods begin at the same age at which their mother or grandmother began. In addition, some ethnic groups go through puberty earlier than others. For example, African American girls experience puberty earlier than Caucasian girls.

Or 3 years after the onset of puberty, which begins with breast development.

Serious menstrual problems

Although most menstrual problems are not serious, a few conditions still require medical care. These include:

Amenorrhea (lack of menstruation)

Girls who have not started menstruating by age 15 or 3 years after the first signs of puberty have primary amenorrhea. The cause may be genetic problems, hormone imbalances, or problems with the development of reproductive organs.

Hormonal imbalance can lead to secondary amenorrhea, when a girl with a regular menstrual cycle suddenly stops menstruating.

Since pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea, taking a pregnancy test is recommended. In addition to hormonal imbalance and pregnancy, Other factors that can cause both primary and secondary amenorrhea include:

• Stress
• Weight loss or gain
• Anorexia
• Stopping birth control pills
• Thyroid diseases

Intense training, especially in ballet, figure skating or gymnastics, in combination with poor nutrition, can also lead to amenorrhea.

Abnormal uterine bleeding

Anomalous uterine bleeding(AMK) occurs with heavy, prolonged and irregular menstruation.

Most cases of AUB are caused by an imbalance between levels estrogen and progesterone in the body, which leads to thickening of the endometrium. A thick endometrium can lead to heavy bleeding.

Girls have to change pads or tampons every 1-3 hours, and menstruation itself can last more than 7 days. This can lead to complexes and reluctance to appear in public places these days due to the lack of ability to control bleeding.

Since many teenagers experience minor hormonal imbalances during puberty, girls often face the problem of heavy periods. But in some cases, heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by problems such as:

• Fibroids ( benign tumors) or polyps in the uterus
• Thyroid diseases
• Poor blood clotting
• Swelling, irritation, or infection in the vagina or cervix
• Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)

There are two types of dysmenorrhea, which can prevent a girl from going to school, studying, sleeping and leading a normal lifestyle:

• Primary dysmenorrhea very common in adolescence. This condition may be caused by prostaglandins. A large number of prostaglandin can lead to nausea, vomiting, headaches, back pain, diarrhea and severe cramps. Fortunately, these symptoms usually last no more than two days.
• Secondary dysmenorrhea- this is pain caused by polyps or fibroids in the uterus, endometriosis, inflammatory diseases pelvic organs(PID) or adenomyosis. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Endometriosis

With endometriosis, the endometrium, which is usually found only in the uterus, begins to grow outside of the uterus - in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other parts of the pelvic cavity. This may cause abnormal bleeding, dysmenorrhea, pain in the pelvic area and lower back.

Treatment

To understand what treatment is needed, the doctor needs to perform an examination. In addition, you may need blood or urine test ultrasound examination or CT.

Polyps or fibroids, can often be removed, and endometriosis eliminated with medications or surgery.

If the reason is hormonal imbalance, the doctor may suggest hormone therapy birth control pills or other hormonal drugs.

When to see a doctor

While most menstrual problems are not serious, some symptoms may indicate a more serious condition.

You should see a doctor if a girl has:

• Didn't start menstruating by age 15, and the cycle did not become regular after 3 years of menstruation.
• Menstruation has stopped or become irregular. Also tell your doctor if your menstrual cycle is less than 24 days or more than 38 days.
• Heavy and prolonged menstruation. In some cases, significant blood loss can cause iron deficiency anemia. Besides, heavy bleeding may be a sign of thickening of the uterine walls, problems with thyroid gland or infections.
• Painful menstruation. It is normal to have cramps for a couple of days, but if the girl cannot carry out her usual activities and the cramps do not stop within 3 days, tell the doctor.

How to Help Your Teen Feel Better During Menstruation

You can make life more comfortable for a girl during her period. Offer her:

• Eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Reduce salt intake(salt holds water) and caffeine(caffeine increases irritability and anxiety)
• Eat more foods with calcium that help cope with PMS
• Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, which will help with cramps, headaches and back pain
• Go for a walk or bike ride to relieve stress and pain
• Take a warm bath or place a bottle of water on your stomach hot water which will help you relax

The most important, talk to your child and explain that the most annoying or uncomfortable symptoms of menstruation are completely normal and may subside over time. Be understanding when a girl becomes moody or sad. After all, no one is perfect 24 hours a day.