What are signs I will know my period is coming?

Okay, so there are totally some signs your body gives you that your period is getting close, like your boobs might start to ache a little or you could feel kinda crampy.

What to look for

It's like your body's way of sending you a heads-up! The first big thing is usually breast development. Like, boobs starting to grow is often one of the first signs of puberty. Then, some months before your first period, you might start seeing some clear or white discharge in your underwear. It's totally normal and just your body getting ready. If it ever itches or feels sore, smells really bad, turns grey or green, or it hurts when you pee, tell a grown-up you trust.

Then closer to your actual period, you might notice some other stuff:

• Cramps: These can feel like a dull ache or a little squeeze in your lower tummy.
• Mood swings: One minute you're fine, the next you're a little weepy or grumpy. Hormones are wild!
• Bloating: You might feel a bit puffy around your belly.
• Sore boobs: They can feel tender or heavy.
• Breakouts: Like, hello pimples right when you don't want them!
• Tiredness: You might feel more sleepy than usual.

What to do about it

If you start to get cramps or feel a bit blah, it's a good idea to tell a grown-up you trust. They can help you with a heating pad or some pain medicine (always check with them first!). And if you ever get tummy pain that comes back every month but your period still hasn't shown up, tell a grown-up about that too. Keeping track of how you feel each day, like your mood or if you have cramps, can totally help you see patterns so you know what to expect. The Soso app can help you log all that stuff, too.

Also, if you want to get a rough idea of when your first period might arrive, there's a super quick quiz on this site: how close is my first period?