{"id":11336,"date":"2025-05-08T14:26:47","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T08:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/?p=11336"},"modified":"2026-04-03T23:34:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:04:51","slug":"what-to-expect-during-your-first-period-a-guide-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/what-to-expect-during-your-first-period-a-guide-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect During Your First Period: A Guide for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting your first period can feel\u2026confusing. Maybe even a little scary. You might find yourself wondering when it\u2019ll happen, what it\u2019ll feel like, how it will change your body. First of all, take a deep breath, you\u2019re not alone. Every girl goes through this. First-period anxiety. It\u2019s natural because anything that happens for the first time is scary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s a simple guide to help you with it, and hopefully make it a little less overwhelming.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Puberty: Where it all begins\u2026<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your first period is not something that happens overnight. It is a full-blown production that your body has been working on for years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around the ages 8-13, your hormones go a little crazy and cause all these new physical and emotional changes to your body. This is puberty. Although it can feel like A LOT to deal with, it\u2019s important for your sexual maturity and reproductive health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let us take you through the stages of puberty so you can understand it a bit better:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Stage 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You notice physical changes in your body for the first time, usually between the ages of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK534827\/#:~:text=Puberty%20is%20the%20process%20of,9%20and%2014%20in%20males.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8 and 13<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You can expect:\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budding of breasts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in body odour<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appearance of pubic hair<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Stage 2: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During this stage, your physical development goes into overdrive. So, expect:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast development<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coarser pubic hair<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Armpit hair<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oilier skin and possibly even acne<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Stage 3:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Now, it\u2019s time to meet your period for the first time (this is called menarche)<\/span><b>. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It signifies that you have fully hit puberty (Congrats! You&#8217;ve joined humanity&#8217;s oldest club!), usually between the ages of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK470216\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 and 16<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2><b>But what actually causes your first period?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Believe it or not, the story of your first period begins inside your mother\u2019s womb. Yup, research <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK10008\/#:~:text=In%20those%20species%20that%20produce%20fewer%20eggs%2C%20the%20oogonia%20divide,germ%20cells%20(Figure%2019.19).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shows<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that while you\u2019re still inside your mum, your ovaries start forming tiny immature eggs.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you hit puberty, your brain signals your body to produce special hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone. These hormones trigger the maturation of one egg each month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, certain other hormones (yes, there are a lot of hormones at play here) known as gonadotropins cause mature eggs to be released from the ovaries. This is known as ovulation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, your body begins to think that the mature egg might result in pregnancy and starts building a soft, thick lining inside your uterus. You know, a cosy spot for the baby to grow in. But when there\u2019s no pregnancy, the thick lining is not needed. So, it breaks down and flows out of your vagina as blood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does that mean you\u2019re meant to have a baby now? Nope! You\u2019ve still got lots of growing to do. Technically, yes, you can get pregnant, but that doesn\u2019t mean you have to do anything about it yet (or ever).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyway, the blood flow from vagina is your first period. And basically every period after that. This whole cycle takes about a month and repeats till menopause or your last period, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5320842\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">around the age of 45<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>So, when will you get your first period?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most girls get their first period around the age of 12, but that\u2019s just the average. Some get it as early as 8 or 9, and others might not start until 15 or 16. As per <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4166004\/#:~:text=Menarche%20is%20affected%20by%20genetic,occupation%20of%20parents%2C%20loss%20of\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it all depends on factors like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetics: When it comes to menarche, genes have a big say &#8211; 50 to 80% of puberty changes are decided by genes. So, if your mom, aunt, cousins, or grandmum got her period late, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll follow a similar pattern!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical Factors: Body type matters too &#8211; underweight girls may get their period later, while slightly overweight girls may get it earlier. However, very, very high body fat can disrupt hormone balance and delay menarche.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health: Periods are closely linked to mental wellness. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10497099\/#s9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> show that stress or anxiety may impact when you get your first period.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nutritional status: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32842616\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clinical data<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> indicate that diets high in calories, animal protein, and iron may lead to earlier periods, while fiber may delay them slightly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you can\u2019t exactly predict when you will get your first period, your body will give you hints to let you know that it is on the way. If you\u2019ve already experienced stages 1 and 2 of puberty (explained above), it might be coming soon!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What can you expect during your first period?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your first period might come with a few extra surprises. These are symptoms from the hormonal chaos in the body, and together form PMS or premenstrual syndrome, they include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back cramps<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bloating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast tenderness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acne breakouts\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood swings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiredness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn more about everything PMS entails <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/what-is-pms-and-how-can-you-combat-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know all of it sounds frightening, and to be honest, your first period and PMS will be a little overwhelming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But\u2026hey, you&#8217;re not expected to get a hang of it on your very first day. It will take you multiple periods to get to know your body, understand what it needs, and learn how to take care of it through the ups and downs. So remember to go easy on yourself. You\u2019ve got this!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How can you prepare for your first period?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step is mental prep because first periods can make you feel a little anxious. But here&#8217;s the thing &#8211; you don\u2019t have to go through it alone!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by talking to someone you trust about what to expect during your first period. This could be your mom, older sibling, a teacher, or even a friend who\u2019s already had their period. Ask your questions. Share your worries. You\u2019ll feel so much lighter by sharing your feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s also a good idea to learn about menstrual hygiene products that could help you through your first period. Here\u2019s a little first-period checklist for you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sanitary product of your choice: Pads are a popular first-period product that simply stick to your underwear and absorb the blood. For pads made with 100% toxic-free materials and zero irritation, you can try <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/sanitary-pads?utm_source=googlesearch&amp;utm_source=googlesearch&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=Google_Search_PR_Brand_Exact_Jul23&amp;utm_campaign=NUA_14406_adyogi_Google_Brand-Search_Engage_Exact-20392400531&amp;utm_content=sp_nua_pad&amp;utm_term=Flat_50&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BKlr_0BrH6cYzJjMUYpT7OpZDr4hFjbAG02wRoqxB1eHvlON4UDV9BoCTEkQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nua pads<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, if you\u2019ve a very active lifestyle, you might want to try tampons.\u00a0 Nua offers the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/tampons?srsltid=AfmBOorh12c47OekyYd4DPD1PIyQoKwXS8VYSOYPvPs0z7q1XM5h-Ip0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">easiest tampons<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to insert for your first period.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panty liners: If you experience a not-so-heavy flow and need something lighter for your first period, you can try <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/everyday-panty-liners?srsltid=AfmBOoqBwrq0M-qx5MHU-W6w7dF6vaQLFJtphSNR_Sr7AiczlxB6ET97\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nua\u2019s ultra-soft pantyliners<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain relief medicine: Sometimes, to manage period pain and cramps, you might need an over-the-counter painkiller like paracetamol. However, we strongly suggest that you speak to a doctor to find out which medicine will work the best for you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heat patches: If medicines are not your cup of tea, you can manage cramps using self-heating patches. The one from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/cramp-care?utm_source=googlesearch&amp;utm_source=googlesearch&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=Google_Search_PR_Brand_Exact_Jul23&amp;utm_campaign=NUA_14406_adyogi_Google_Brand-Search_Engage_Exact_New-21076132310&amp;utm_content=cc_heat_patch&amp;utm_term=cramp_comfort&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BHuL1gZVuLeVUnZfQSIpBTSruk_rdtvzpjLQHBc0_WJjKGjancl7dRoCuwQQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nua<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides 8-hour cramp relief and is made of only natural ingredients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spare underwear: When it\u2019s your first time, you\u2019re still figuring out how to use the sanitary products, which can lead to little mishaps like leakage and staining. So, for such moments, you should always carry spare underwear.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro tip: You can also make things super easy by grabbing the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/nua-period-starter-kit?srsltid=AfmBOorGczrbLgbFQkYX1PeVtLafkPtNRRuMOq-7u_DTpR1Tk9n9X2tb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nua starter kit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It comes with a cute pouch and all the basics for a comfy first period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What will your first-period flow be like?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For some, it\u2019s just a few drops of blood (called spotting), while for others, it might be a little heavier. Either way, it\u2019s completely normal. The colour might also vary from bright red to dark brown and can change every day. You can learn more about that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/colours-you-can-expect-from-your-very-first-period-blood\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How long will your first period last?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On average, your first period lasts about 5 days, but as per <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279054\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, anything between 2 to 8 days is normal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Will it come back exactly after one month?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not always, and that\u2019s totally normal. Everyone\u2019s body is different, and while some people get their period every 28 days, for others it might be a bit shorter or longer. It can also take time for your cycle to settle into a regular pattern, especially in the first year or two.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Does it mean I\u2019m a woman now?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not really. It just means your body is working the way it\u2019s supposed to. You&#8217;re still a kid with a little more responsibility, sure, but there\u2019s no rush to feel grown-up. You become a woman when you feel ready, and there\u2019s no fixed timeline for that.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Here&#8217;s what you should remember&#8230;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not knowing what to expect during your first period can feel scary. Your first period is like a rollercoaster ride. It is filled with ups and downs that can be quite scary. But trust yourself and give yourself some time to adjust to it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the initial few months, you\u2019ll get the hang of what\u2019s going on and how to manage your menstrual symptoms. Always remember that everybody is unique, so no two periods are the same. So, see what works for you and come back to us if you\u2019ve any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting your first period can feel\u2026confusing. Maybe even a little scary. You might find yourself wondering when it\u2019ll happen, what&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":11353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_typography_data":[],"_editorskit_blocks_typography":"","_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[221],"tags":[127,76,41],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11336"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/132"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11336"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11336\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11354,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11336\/revisions\/11354"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nuawoman.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}