Hair: yes (down there); Breasts: yes; Discharge: yes; Growth spurt: shut up two weeks ago pants fit perfectly now they're at my ankles

Oh, friend, the way you described it, it sounds like you're super close to your first period! Like, you already have all the signs that usually come before.

Pubic hair, growing breasts, and discharge are like the most important trio of signals from your body getting ready. And that growth spurt that turns your pants into capris out of nowhere? Super normal! It's a strong sign that your body is growing rapidly and preparing for a lot of new things.

What this means

This means your body is maturing and your uterus is already "training" to menstruate. It's impossible to know the exact day your period will start because every body has its own rhythm, but with all these signs, it's good to keep an eye out. Many people get their first period a few months after discharge begins, for example.

What you can do

My advice is to have a pad ready in your backpack or purse, just so you're not caught by surprise. It can be a small pad, to start. And don't worry, it's all very natural and part of growing up!

If you want to get an idea of how close your first period might be, there's a quiz on the site that's really fun to take: how close is my first period?