Your first period is one of those moments that many girls are curious about, yet it can also feel quite exciting. Perhaps you've already heard something about it at school or from friends, or maybe not at all. Either way, there are a few things almost everyone thinks but doesn't always dare to ask.
For many girls, their first period comes unexpectedly. You go to the toilet and suddenly see blood in your underwear. That can be startling, and it might feel like everything is changing at once. However, the most important thing to know is that your body is doing exactly what it's supposed to do. You're not weird, you're not dirty, and you're certainly not alone. Some girls wonder if they've done something wrong, but menstruation is part of growing up and your body's development. It happens to everyone at a different time, and everything in between is normal.
Questions about the first period that almost everyone has
What many girls also think but don't say out loud is whether it's going to hurt? Can you leak? Can anyone see or smell it? These questions are very logical, especially since menstruation often still feels a bit like a mystery. As if you'd rather not talk about it, even though almost everyone experiences it.
It can help to know what's happening in your body. During your period, your body loses a little blood. This is the uterine lining, which builds up and sheds every month. That might sound new, but the better you understand what's happening, the less daunting it often feels. And the good news is, it stops on its own, usually after a few days.
Menstruation hormones – your feelings and mind get confused…
Some girls feel different during their period, but also in the days before or after. You might be more tired or react more emotionally than usual. Perhaps you suddenly cry over something small or feel irritated more quickly. This is due to hormones and is completely normal. It says nothing about who you are; it just means your body is working extra hard.
Many girls are especially afraid of leaking. This fear can make you move less freely, not dare to laugh, or constantly doubt yourself. That's a shame, because your first period doesn't have to make your life more difficult. You already have enough to deal with school, friends, and everything else on your mind.
Small tips that provide a lot of peace during a first period
There are a few things that often make it a lot calmer. Your period doesn't come all at once but flows slowly, giving you usually enough time to go to the toilet. You don't have to check every few minutes if everything is alright, because that mainly creates anxiety. It can be nice to use something that makes you feel secure, like period underwear for girls, so you don't have to keep doubting yourself. You can also continue to exercise and move, even during your period. And perhaps the most important thing to remember is that period blood is not dirty. It's just blood, like from a cut.
It can help to talk to someone about it. With your mother, a sister, an aunt, or someone else you trust. Often, you'll hear that they experienced the exact same thing, and that feeling of recognition can be incredibly relieving.
Your first period is not a test you have to pass. You don't have to do it perfectly, and you don't have to know everything right away. You are allowed to discover what works for you, and most importantly, you are allowed to be kind to yourself.
Your first period can be exciting, but it's also something very normal. The more you know, the calmer it feels and the easier it becomes to simply be yourself, even during your period.
And here you'll find more in-depth information about menstruation for teenagers.
