ahh i just got my first period! what should i prepare for?!?

Question

okay, im freaking out here. im 13 years old and i just got my period last night. I was expecting it for a while now, but it just came so suddenly. No cramps. no p.m.s.ing no bloating. nothing. I thought i could handle it all but now its so all over whelming and in my opinion. nasty. the pads are soo uncomfortable, and im so not ready to use tampons yet. how long do periods last. and what else do i need to prepare for. hah anymore surprizes?!??!

Answer 1

bloating, cramps, and MOODINESS!! It's ok though, it's the great part of being a woman!
CONGRATS!!! :-)
a normal period lasts from 5 - 7 days, day 3 will probably be the heaviest

Answer 2

You are luck that you started late. I started mine at 10 years old. Periods last up to a week with some people. First two day light, next 3 days heavy and then 2 days light. Your periods will come every 21 or 18 days. So count on the last day of your periods 21 or 18 days make sure you care pads with you on those days. Sorry that's all the advice I have with you. You should also talk to you mom are dad. Dad's also understand things like periods. this is not that taboo.

Answer 3

You'll be fine! It sounds like you already know how to use pads and stuff... Yes, they can be kind of gross, but if you change them often enough they're not a big deal. As you continue to have periods, especially in the first few years, you might experience things like cramps, etc. but if you don't then you'll just be happy! You should expect your period to last for a few days or maybe a week. Generally speaking, the flow is heavier at the beginning of your period and gets lighter at the end. Many women experience lighter flow at night in comparison to what they get in the daytime or even no flow at all. You might have some other symptoms like diarrhea or bloating but they will go away after a couple of days.

I think the best thing is to talk to your mother or a trusted adult woman if you have any questions or need any advice. Billions of women have done this and you can too. After a while you'll get to know how your body does it and it'll be a piece of cake.

Answer 4

Use tampons! So much better. I used pads until I was 17, and THEN I realized what a marvelous invention tampons were. Seriously, start using tampons now and get used to them, they really feel like nothing at all. Really, I said that I wasn't ready to use tampons. All you have to do is get used to putting them in. It is a little difficult at first, but it pays off. Really.

I have never had cramps for my period, and my PMS is not bad at all. (I know, all my girlfriends hate me). It's different for everyone though. I have a girlfriend who has terrible cramps and PMS. You just need to know what yours will be like, and that will only come with time.

My period lasts for 7 days, usually light day 1 2 and 3. Heavyish 4 and 5, and then barely there for 6 and 7. Again, this differs too. My girlfriend who I mentioned before has a heavy period for 5 days straight.


If you really aren't ready for tampons, just be aware that pads can leak in the night, on your sheets and stuff. It's ok if it does! It happened to me a lot. Totally normal, and if you wash it off right away it won't stain.

And finally... congrats!

Answer 5

deep breath youll have a lot years to get used to it. First realize your period will change a bit as you get older. I find some months i have cramp others i dont. Also if I eat healthy and exercise then i have "easier" periods. A period can last from about 3 days to 7 days. you might find at first the flow is heavy and then lighter. The last days of my period are very light Buy a variety of pads for light days etc and a few different brands and see what works best for you. I didnt start using tampons until i was about 17, now i switch back and forth depending on my mood.

Answer 6

Tampons are so much easier, ask your mom to help you. At first it will be very very unstable. Expect it to be random for the first 6 months to a year until your body settles into the full cycle. Periods last anywhere from 5 to 9 days and vary by person. Mine is four days but heavier, I don't cramp during only before and at the very end, and if I've been stressed that month I get really pissy but otherwise I'm fine. You will just have to wait and see how it ends up being, surprises show up all the time with periods. Girls who don't usually have cramps as a teen will get more of them as they get older and the ones who do have them tend to get less as they get older. I'm hoping that is true for me, I hate cramps with a passion. Talk to your mother or a woman you trust. She can advise you on what to use, how often to change it, and even help you through it. Having help is the best thing, some days you wont want to get out of bed but you will need to, some days a hug is the best thing and others you will snap when people even tap you on accident. Mood swings are horrible if you get them and at some point we all do. Your body is still setting into your cycle so it may change drastically from this first one or stay relatively similar. You just can't tell until you have it figured out. What you should do is get a small calender and circle the date you start, note changes, flow, everything and circle when you end. The next time you have it (which may be a few months so don't freak out just yet) do the same thing and keep this going until you see a pattern and a constant start and stop time frame. Continue to circle the start and stop dates after wards to make it easier to track but you will know the signs that it is coming and getting to the end. Don't worry, this is normal.

Answer 7

It does feel gross, especially with pads. The wonder is that there are 5 million types- see if you can try out a couple and find one that fits better- I really like the overnights with wings- but I use them during the day- I tend to have a heavy flow and it keeps leaks from happening. Change them frequently and use the cotton cover.
I've found that different factors affect the length- sometimes 3-4 days and up to 10-12 days.
Stash an extra pair of undies in your backpack or purse just in case- along with the midol and hershey bar!

Answer 8

Just a few add on's to all the great answers you have gotten here. The length between periods is on average 28-31 days from day1of this cycle to day1 of the next.
It is okay to shower when you have your period. It is okay to rinse your pubic area with warm water in between showers so there is no odor. Sometimes your normal body odor will change and become stronger and more sharp just before and during your period. Some people have acne flare ups or headaches just before a period.
You will get used to the rhythm of your body and it won't be so shocking to you as time goes on. Welcome to the club!

Answer 9

u're lucky there's no bloating cramps, etc.. just watch out in the future..the first time i had my period is like.. sooo nasty, but then, i get used to it..

okay, i know it's sooo uncomfortable to use pads. 1 thing you should do is:
-keep celan (in that area), by changing your pads 3-4 times a day (at least)

-you can buy hygienic wash for your private area. but you are so young that i'm not sure if it's okay for you to use it. consult ith a doctor before you do that. if you can use it, don't use it to often, because this kind of wash cleans the area from bacterias (that means both good and bad bacterias)

-clean the area with flowing water, and wipe it dry before you change you pads.(the hygienic wash thingy is optional, u might not need to use it)

-how long it will lasts is different for everyone. some last for 1 week+, 1 week or even less than a week.

-the best timing for you to get another period (next month) is 28 days after your FIRST day of period. sometimes it become 30days+ or less than 28 days. that's depends on your diet, activity, and psychological condition.

-the 1st day is okay, but during the 2nd and 3rd, usualy the amount of blood is increasing..then it'll lower down when ure closer to day 7..

-make sure u get no leak while ure sleeping. it's sucks.. u can wear 2 pads, or try to find the longest.. the biggest pad you might get in stores.

-then, my doctor suggests girls to write down (for at least 1-2 years), when is your period starts every month. this might be useful in the future. girls might have risks with cancer, tumour aor anything like that. by having your menstrual periodic "timeline" they might be able to see if there's something wrong.

-now, check out the date, when your first period is. 1-2 weeks before your period date, next month, try to have some pads with you, inside your bag or wherever you go. because you might get your period around 1 week before


hope that helps..

Answer 10

welcome to womanhood my dear. you will survive. periods can last anywhere to a few days to a week, i'd say typically 5 days. at any rate, you may experience cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, and then you might not. lucky you! i was rolling on the floor in pain some days. and i menstruated heavily at times. after i gave birth, however, it got easier. still messy thought. comes with the territory. anyway, try different pads, thin ones with wings will help to protect your clothing and they are more comfortable than the thick ones. if you ever opt to try out tampons you will find them very useful in containing your flow and they would really come in handly if you were wearing white or if you didn't have a jacket or sweater to cover over little accidents(quite unnerving and embarassing). but its all natural and your totally normal. read some books relevant to the subject at hand. you will find it quite interesting and you will be awe inspired as well and you will find that there is really nothing to freak out about. "she" will be your old friend. skipped periods don't mean anything to you now, and hopefully they won't until you are mature enough to plan for one. i wish you all the best as you transition into womanhood

Answer 11

Congratulations!! You're so lucky hou haven't had cramps.If you don't have cramps tomorrow you're home free.

For now, you have to use pads. Start using tampons ASAP.
It's hard to predict how long your period will last. Be sure to mark on a calendar that yesterday was Day 1. Don't expect to be regular for a few months. Your hormones are still screwey.

Coast is clear!! No more surprises!! Good girl!! :)