What are the signs that I might get my period next year? I'm 10 and turning 11 this year.

Oh, how cool that you're paying attention to the signs! Generally, we start menstruating between the ages of 10 and 13, but it can be a little before or a little after too. You're right around the age most girls start, so it's super normal to start feeling some changes now.

Signs Your Body Shows

There are a few signs your body gives before your period arrives for real. Keep an eye out for these things, because they show that your first period is on its way:

• Breast buds: One of the first things that happens is your breasts start to develop. First, it looks like a little lump, then they grow a bit more. It's one of the clearest signs that puberty is happening.
• Vaginal discharge: You know that clear or whitish liquid in your underwear? That's vaginal discharge! It can appear a few months or even a year before your first period. It's your body's way of cleaning itself and preparing.
• Growth spurt: You might notice that you've grown a lot in a short period. Like, your clothes suddenly become too short. This is super common before menstruation. It's your body stretching to reach adult size.
• Body hair: Hair starts to appear in your armpits and pubic area. This is also part of the body's development during puberty.

There's no exact way to know the day or month your period will arrive because every body is different, you know? But if you're already seeing some of these signs, it's very likely it's getting close. And if you want to get an idea of how close your first period is, there's a super cool quiz here on the site: how close is my first period?