I've been having a lot of mood swings this week, a headache, going to the bathroom a lot, smelling a faint scent of blood, cramps, I have underarm hair, pubic hair, and a small lump in my breast because my family members have small breasts and menstruated before their breasts grew.

It looks like you're showing several signs that your first period might be coming soon! It's super normal to feel mood swings, headaches, and cramps before your period. That "scent of blood" could also be a sign.

What's Happening?

When we start going through puberty, our bodies prepare for a lot of things, you know? Hair in your armpits and pubic area are a very common sign that puberty has started. The "lump in your breast" you feel is the beginning of breast development, and this varies a lot from person to person. Some girls menstruate before their breasts fully grow, others only after they're already bigger. There are no rules, and every body is different!

If you're smelling a scent of blood, even if it's faint, and cramps have started, your period might be very close. But, hey, don't worry! It's a phase with a lot of changes, and it's totally normal to have all these symptoms mixed up before everything settles down.

What Can You Do?

Stay calm and prepared. Keep a pad ready in your bag or backpack, just in case. And if the cramps are bothering you a lot, talk to a trusted adult (your parents, someone in the family) to see if you can take a pain reliever. Sometimes just having some herbal tea helps too. The most important thing is to know that all of this is normal and part of growing up!

If you want to get an idea of how close your first period is, there's a quiz on the website: how close is my first period?