Did I start my period - help please!!!?

Question

I'm 13 years old and I think I might have just started my period but I don't know and my mum is at work so I don't know who to ask or what to do. My stomach has been hurting all day since I got up this morning but I thought it was just regular tummyache but just now I went to the toilet and there's a kind of brownish stain in my pants and when I wiped there was more on the toilet paper. But I don;'t know if it's my period or not, shouldn't it be red like blood? My stomach is really sore now as well, and I feel a bit sick what should I do? And I've just got toilet paper in my pants just now cos I don't have anything else to use, is that ok?

Answer 1

hi, yes it could be your period, the blood is often a darker colour because its not fresh bleeding but older blood and thats what can make it a darker colour. There is also a feeling of cramping in your tummy, i used to think it felt like something like there was something inside my stomach trying to eat its way out!

have a look at this
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=636§ionId=6937

i know its scary at first but if you can talk to your mum, a friend or an older sister your be fine. your um may have some sanitry towels in the house somewhere you coud borrow.

if your stomachs hurting you can try the normal pain relief that you take, remember to read the box, or just try a hot water bottle till your mum gets home. some people also find that exercise helps so maybe keep moving round a little.
Try not to worry and put another message up if you are and we'll all try and help.

Answer 2

Hi Chloe. Yes, it does sound like you've probably started your period. It's quite often a little bit brown at the very start and very end of each period, but tomorrow you'll probably find the blood is a bit redder in colour and more like what you expect. If there is any paracetamol or ibuprofen in the house, take some and that should help with the stomach cramps. You could get a hot water bottle and lie down with it on your tummy as well which usually helps me. Toilet paper in your pants is fine for now, but make sure you do tell your mum when she comes home from work so that she can buy you some sanitary towels. Or maybe phone her at work and she could pick you some up on her way home tonight?

Answer 3

More than likely it's your period.
If you don't have any feminine products, you can take a washcloth, fold it up to fit nicely in your undies. If there are any babies in the house, you can use cloth diaper inserts as well. They work but might be a bit big. Anything of that nature will work, you will just need to keep an eye on it because it could leak through.
The pain is probably from cramps. I would take a little bit of acetaminophen (tylonol). Follow directions on bottle. Assuming there isn't some reason why you shouldn't take tylonol. Allergies or anything else. If the pain worsens or starts getting unbearable, then I would start worrying that it could be something else. But menstrual cramps can be downright painful and for some women it can even keep them from moving around much.
And just a little extra thing, you might not want to let the world know your age and actually use your screen name and email. There are a lot of sicko's in the world. Use caution especially on the net.

Answer 4

You've started you period! The blood in on the first day of your cycle usually starts off as brown but will turn red. You'd better look around for a pad or something, though toilet paper is good in an emergency.

Also, it's not really your stomach that's hurting. It's your uterus contracting, and that's what causes the cramps. If they get bad try some Tylenol or Advil.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Congratulations it sounds as though you have started your period!

Don't worry some women use nothing but toilet paper, although you might want to think about what you want to use on your period now – tampons, cups, sponges, pads, free-flow, etc. and make sure you know all you can about the different options and about your body so you can take care of yourself and make sure your periods are a happy time of the month rather than a sad time of the month.

Brown discharge is normal, it simply means the blood is light so is mixing with your discharge rather than being full flow – although if it is just brown then this is not considered the first day of your period, you may want to note this down in a calendar but I'd be watching for full flow (red blood or more blood) as being the first true day of your period.

Period pains aren't an unavoidable part of having a period either, you might want to look around online or get some books from the library to learn how to prevent period pains – simple things like a good diet, staying relaxed, and herbal teas can prevent cramps all together as well as help with other things, there is really a lot of really cool stuff to learn about your body and your period!

Are you going to celebrate your period at all? Like maybe go out for a special meal, or get your mom to buy you something you want like a new outfit or a new CD? It might be an idea to do this to make the day extra special, if you are worried about telling your mom about your period you may want to write her a little note – tell her you think you have your period, what you need (i.e. heat pads, pads for your period, etc.), what you want to do to celebrate and whether or not you want her to talk to you about it – this makes it far easier for a lot of girls when they are embarrassed about it.

I hope you have a good time of it, and welcome to womanhood :o)

Answer 6

Yeah, girlie you are officially becoming a young woman. The brown stains are normal thats the first sign that you will be getting your period soon, I suggest you look around your house and try to look for some of your mom's pads at least you wont have toilet paper on you if you do began bleeding heavy. Relax, this is the first step to becoming a woman.

Answer 7

Yes, sweetie, you probably did start your period! It's perfectly ok to use toilet paper till your mom can get you pads. Don't be scared or embarrassed to talk to her! You could all her at work and tell her, right? It may look a little brown instead of red, that's normal too. If you can, go lay down a little and if you have a heating pad, put it on your abdomen (right below your tummy where it hurts) or a hot water bottle, the heat will make you feel better. You'll be just fine and talk to your mom or if you can't talk to her, talk to a grown-up woman you can trust. :)

Answer 8

You probably did. Its not always bright red, and if your stomache is like that then you most likely have. Toilet paper is okay as long as your not too heavy. Which I dont think you should be for just starting. Call your mom at work if you can and let her know you need her to bring you home some pads or tampons. Good Luck.

Answer 9

It's normal for it to be brownish when you first start your period, then look more like blood after a couple of days. Toilet paper is ok, you should call your mom and have her come home from work to help you out and give you guidance.

Answer 10

It sounds like you have started your period. But...Don't worry and don't panic. You are now becoming a lady and it is your body preparing itself for a change.
Can you call your mum or speak to a lady/girl older than you?
if not...then try and do something to take your mind off the situation. It is not a bad thing that you have started..every girl has periods. If you have tummy cramps then the best thing to do is lay down. Have a drink and that should take the sickness away.
But most of all...do not panic. You will have these for the next 30 years. Good Luck. I hope your mum is back soon.