I have discharge that looks like gel but I haven't gotten my period yet. Is this a sign it might come soon?

Yes, stretchy gel-like discharge is a really common sign of puberty that can start some months before your first period arrives.

Clear, white or off-white discharge is normal in puberty and can start some months before a first period, and it can look a bit yellow once it dries on your underwear. Tell a grown-up if it comes out a different colour (like deep yellow, green or grey), smells strong or bad, changes texture, suddenly gets much heavier, or comes with itching, soreness, pain when peeing or tummy pain.

Discharge is just your body's natural way of cleaning and protecting itself as your hormones wake up. When it feels jelly-like or stretchy, that usually means your body is producing more oestrogen, which is one of the main hormones that helps your reproductive system develop.

There is no set age for when a first period starts. It can come anywhere from about 9 to 15, sometimes later, and the average is around 12. Other signs it might be getting closer include:

• Breasts starting to grow, which is usually the first sign (the period often comes about 2 years later, and that varies a lot)
• Pubic and underarm hair, usually soon after breasts start budding, though hair first is normal too
• A growth spurt (the period often comes about a year after the fastest growing, and that varies a lot too)
• Clear or white discharge, which can start some months before (if it changes colour, smells bad or itches, tell a grown-up)

A period before 9 (or any bleeding or pink or brown spotting before 9), no period by 15, or no breast growth or other puberty signs by 13 means telling a grown-up so a doctor can check. Breast or hair growth before 8 is worth a check too, and it's usually nothing to worry about.

If you want to see roughly where you are on the timeline, there's a quick quiz you can try: how close is my first period?