At what age can menstruation start?

Menstruation can start at different ages for each girl, but it generally begins between 10 and 13 years old. I got mine at 11, but some friends got theirs at 9 and others at 14, you know? It's super normal, every body has its own timing.

What does "being close" mean?

Before your first period, your body gives some signs that it's getting ready. For example, your breasts start to grow first, like little buds, you know? Then, a few months before your actual period, you might start noticing a whitish or yellowish discharge in your underwear. It's your uterus cleaning itself and preparing. And there's also the growth spurt, which is when we suddenly grow a lot.

What if it's late or comes early?

Don't worry if your period hasn't started yet and your friends have already started menstruating, or if you started noticing these signs very early. Doctors say that most girls menstruate between 8 and 15 years old. If you have any questions or are worried, it's always good to talk to a trusted adult or a doctor. But relax, your body knows what it's doing!

If you want to get an idea of how close you are to your first period, there's a quiz here on the site that can help: how close is my first period?