Hi I’m 12 and I haven’t gotten my period yet. I’ve had pubic hair and arm hair since I was 10 and I’ve had discharge for over a year. What does the type of discharge I get mean for how close my period is?

Okay so, the type of discharge you're seeing can totally give you clues about how close your first period is! It's super normal to have discharge for a while before your period even starts, so you're right on track.

What different types of discharge mean

Discharge changes throughout your cycle, even before your first period actually arrives. It's like your body is practicing! Here's the deal with what to look for:

• Clear and watery: This is really common and just means your body is doing its thing, keeping everything clean and healthy. It doesn't usually mean your period is super close, but it's a good sign things are getting ready.
• White or yellowish and sticky/creamy: This is also normal. Again, it's just your body's way of cleaning and protecting things down there. You might see this a lot in the months leading up to your period.
• Clear, stretchy, and slippery (like egg white): Okay, so this kind is a big one! When you see discharge like this, it usually means your body is ovulating, which is when an egg is released. Your period usually comes about two weeks after you ovulate. So, if you see this, you could be getting pretty close!
• Brownish or reddish spotting: This might be the start of your actual first period! It can sometimes be really light and not even look like a full period at first. If it keeps going for a few days, that's probably it!

It sounds like your body has been getting ready for a while with the pubic hair and discharge, so you're definitely in the puberty zone. Seeing that clear, stretchy discharge is often the last big sign before your period shows up. Don't worry if it's not exactly two weeks; everyone's body is a little different, especially when you're just starting out.

If you want to get an idea of how close you might be, there's a quiz on this site that helps you figure it out: how close is my first period?