sparkly_otter asked
I got my period yesterday at 12, what should I know?
Asked in Portuguese, translated automatically. See the original
Soso answered
The first thing you need to know is that you are completely fine and this is super common at 12 years old.
What's normal now
Most people bleed for 3 to 7 days, and the first period can be much shorter and lighter. It might be very light, a bit brownish, or bright red, and all of that is part of it. In the first year or two, it's normal for cycles to vary, from about 20 to 45 days from the start of one period to the start of the next. A cycle that is shorter or longer than the previous one, on its own, is not a cause for concern. Stress can also delay your period. In the first year or two after your first period, in most cycles, the ovary doesn't release an egg yet, and your period comes anyway, which is why cycles vary so much at the beginning.
Basic care
To manage the blood and feel comfortable day-to-day, you can use pads or period underwear:
- Change your pad every 4 to 6 hours, more often on heavy flow days.
- Wash only the outside of your vulva with water in the shower, without putting anything inside.
- Carry one or two pads in your backpack in a discreet pouch so you don't get caught out at school.
If you have cramps, your uterus is a muscle and it tightens to push the lining out. A heating pad, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and filled by an adult, can also help. Some small studies show heat helps as much as medication. There are medications that help with cramps, and an adult decides if you take them, which ones, and how much, based on your age and weight.
When to tell an adult
Tell an adult if you need to change your pad every 1 or 2 hours, if your period lasts more than 7 days, if you pass a clot larger than about 1 inch (2.5 cm), if blood leaks onto your clothes or bed, if you stop doing daily activities because of your period, or if you feel tired or out of breath a lot. Also tell them if, several times in a row, it takes more than 45 days between periods, if you go 3 months without getting your period after it has started, or if, several times in a row, your periods come less than about 3 weeks apart. And if the pain prevents you from doing normal activities, like going to school, if it doesn't improve with the medication an adult gives you, or if it gets worse from one period to the next, let them know too.
If you want to track your days and see how your body gets into a rhythm, the SosĂ´ app can help you track all of this easily.
Soso's answers are written by AI. They don't replace professional medical advice.