When will I have my next period?

Okay so this is super common when you're just starting out, and I remember literally asking myself the same thing. Because your cycles are still figuring things out, it's really hard to know exactly when your next period will show up. Most doctors say it can take a year or two for your period to get into a regular rhythm, and sometimes even longer.

But just because it's hard to predict doesn't mean you can't get a better idea! Stuff like stress at school can affect when your period comes and make it a little late or early. But in the first couple of years, a lot of the unevenness is just your body still figuring things out, not something you did.

The best thing you can do right now is just keep track of your periods. Like, literally every time it starts and stops. You can also log how you're feeling every day—things like your mood, if you have cramps, or if you're super tired. Over time, you'll start to see your own patterns, and that's like, the key to knowing what's normal for you. Plus, sometimes you'll notice signs that your period is coming, like a few days of feeling extra crampy or moody, which can be a heads-up.

If it's been 3 months with no period, or your cycles keep going longer than 45 days, tell a trusted grown-up so a doctor can check. Same if you need a new pad every 1 to 2 hours, bleed for more than 7 days, see clots bigger than about 2.5 cm, bleed through onto your clothes or sheets a lot, or have pain that stops you doing your normal stuff. But for most of us, it's just a waiting game in the beginning!

The Soso app can totally help with this because you can log when your period starts and ends, and even track your mood and symptoms every day. It'll show you patterns and help you get to know your cycle.