I'm scared about getting my first period

It is completely normal to feel scared about getting your first period, but it usually starts way more quietly than you think.

Most people imagine waking up to a huge scene or having it happen in the middle of class, but usually it starts with just a tiny smudge of pink or brown on your underwear or toilet paper. That can be how a first period starts, so tell a grown-up what you noticed: they can help with supplies, and check with a doctor if it isn't a period. If you are under 9, a doctor should check either way. A first period is often really light, and you do not bleed all at once. It just slowly drips out over a few days.

What you can do right now

• Put a small pouch in your school bag with two pads and a spare pair of underwear so you never have to stress about being caught off guard.
• Pick a grown-up you trust, like a parent, an older sister, or a school nurse, and tell them you are feeling nervous so they can get you supplies ahead of time.
• Practice sticking a pad onto a pair of underwear at home just to see how it works.

Most people bleed for 3 to 7 days, and a first period can be much shorter and lighter. Tell a grown-up if you need a new pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, your period lasts more than 7 days, you pass clots bigger than about 2.5 cm, blood leaks through to your clothes or bed, you miss normal things because of your period, or you feel tired or out of breath a lot. Change your pad every 4 to 6 hours, sooner on heavy days.

If you want to feel a little more ready, the Soso app was made specifically for first cycles, with no chat, feeds, or ads, so you can track everything at your own pace.