Sooner or later, every girl has her first period. For young women, this is an exciting time that can sometimes be associated with stress and uncertainty. In the following, we will explain when your first period comes, the signs that make it noticeable and which hygiene products are particularly recommended.
The most important facts about the first period at a glance
- Girls usually have their first period between the ages of 11 and 14, although it can start earlier or later.
- In addition to the growth of breasts, pubic hair and underarm hair, white discharge is also a sign that your first period is coming.
- It is quite normal for a young woman's cycle to be irregular for the first one or two years.
- Girls should not hesitate to seek advice if they have questions about their first period or if problems arise.
- Period underwear is ideal as protection for young and inexperienced women who have just got their period.
When do girls get their first period?
The exact time of the first menstruation varies from woman to woman. Normally, girls have their first period between the ages of 11 and 14. However, this is not always the case. Occasionally, the first period comes at the age of nine. But it is also not unusual for it to wait until you are 16.
Basically, it can only come when the sexual organs are properly developed and the body produces a sufficient amount of sex hormones. Regardless of the exact time when the first menstruation, also known as menarche, starts, it occurs regularly from now on, although in many cases the first cycles in young women are still quite irregular.
Signs of the first period
Despite individual differences in timing, it is not usually the case that the first period in young women starts completely unexpectedly. This is because the physical changes that occur before the first menstruation are difficult to overlook.
Due to the changes in the hormone balance, pubic and armpit hair as well as breasts grow during puberty. The previously still childlike body slowly but surely takes on typically female forms. Apart from this, girls experience so-called white discharge during puberty. This is white to yellowish vaginal discharge. This is regularly visible in the form of small patches in the pants.
The white discharge is a sign that the female reproductive organs are now active and that the first follicles are maturing in the ovaries. However, white discharge does not mean that menarche will occur within a few weeks. As a rule, it takes about a year between the first appearance of white discharge and the first menstrual period in young women. However, individual differences are possible. For some girls, the first period comes earlier and for others later.
Irregular menstrual cycle in young women
At school we learned that the menstrual cycle lasts 28 days on average. In reality, however, this is by no means true for every woman. The female cycle can be both shorter and longer, and the duration and strength of menstruation can also vary. Period slips-from-Weekiss
Normally, a woman's period lasts five to seven days and the total amount of blood lost is about 30 to 70 millilitres. However, fluctuations are not uncommon even in one and the same woman. Especially in girls, the first cycles are often very irregular and menstruation can also vary from month to month. This is simply because the body needs quite a while to adjust.
It can take one to two years for the cycle to settle properly after the first menstruation. As a rule, this is no reason to worry. Nevertheless, young women should not hesitate to talk to their mother or, if necessary, their gynaecologist about any abnormalities in order to recognise possible problems early on and to counteract them if necessary.
Which menstrual products for the first period?
The first period also raises the question of which menstrual products a young woman should use for her period. Just as with older women, there are various alternatives to choose from here. First of all, there are of course tampons and pads. Both are disposable products. The tampon is inserted into the vagina to catch the menstrual flow and the sanitary pad is inserted into the panties.
In addition to these disposable products, there are also reusable alternatives, such as menstrual cups and period underwear, which help to avoid waste and thus protect the environment. In principle, the menstrual cup is the alternative to the tampon. It is inserted into the vagina during menstruation to collect the menstrual blood.
Period underwear, on the other hand, is a reusable alternative to conventional pads. Period panties are equipped with a special membrane system. This absorbs the menstrual blood and stores it in a leak-proof way, so that a pleasantly dry feeling is guaranteed.
Why period panties are ideal for the first period
For most girls, the first period is associated with stress and uncertainty. In addition, menstruation is often very irregular during the first one or two years and can vary in both duration and strength. It is therefore all the more important that young women choose menstrual products that are as easy to use as possible, yet still reliable. Period panties are the perfect choice in this respect.
Young women can benefit from the following advantages with period underwear, among others:
- No impairment of the vaginal flora
- Easy handling like conventional panties
- High wearing comfort with reliable protection at the same time
- Can also be used before the period if you have an irregular cycle
- Easy to clean and reuse
Depending on the model, period underwear such as the Weekiss period panties have the absorbency of up to six normal tampons. This means that period pants offer very good protection even during heavier periods, so you don't have to worry about possible mishaps in everyday life.
The first period - our conclusion
Your first period is natural, so there's no need to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. You don't usually have to worry if your best friend's first period comes earlier than yours.
This is simply because the body develops at different rates from woman to woman. Therefore, just like you, your menstrual cycle is unique. If you are unsure about your first period or the development of your body in general, you should not hesitate to talk to your mother or a gynaecologist about it.
