I got my period yesterday at 12, what should I know?

No way, congrats on your first period! It's perfectly normal, and it means your body is growing up and doing its thing. It's like, a huge milestone, so give yourself a high-five or something. You're officially in the club!

What to expect now

Okay so now you've had one, your periods might be a little all over the place for the first year or two, and that's totally normal. Like, one month it might be light and barely there, and the next it might be heavier. It could come every month, or skip a month, or even come twice in one month. Your body is still figuring out its rhythm, so don't stress if it's not super predictable right away.

Most girls get their first period between 10 and 15, so 12 is right in the middle. Your cycle is basically your body's way of preparing for a possible pregnancy each month, even if you're like, nowhere near wanting that. An egg is released, and if it's not fertilized, your body sheds the lining of your uterus, and that's the blood you see.

Products and feelings

You'll want to have period products ready. Pads are super easy for beginners because you just stick them in your underwear and change them when they're full. You can also try period underwear, which are literally like normal undies but they're super absorbent. Tampons and menstrual cups are options too, but most people wait a little to try those.

You might also notice some new feelings around your period. Things like:

• Cramps: a dull ache in your lower belly or back
• Mood swings: feeling happy one minute, then kinda sad or annoyed the next
• Tiredness: just feeling a bit more drained than usual
• Bloating: your tummy might feel a little puffy

These are all super common! For cramps, a heating pad can work wonders, and sometimes a grown-up can help you with some pain medicine. Just make sure to check with them first. Keeping track of how you feel can totally help you understand what's normal for your body. The Soso app can help you log your mood, cramps, and flow so you can see your own patterns over time.