Why does my period have to do with puberty?

Your period is literally one of the biggest signs that puberty is happening, so they are totally connected. Puberty is all about your body changing and growing up, and getting your period means your body is getting ready for some super grown-up stuff way down the line.

Okay so puberty is when your body starts producing these things called hormones. These hormones are like little messengers that tell your body to start changing. They make your breasts grow, body hair appear, and your body gets taller. They also kickstart your period. Your first period is called menarche (men-ARK-ee), and it's a huge milestone that shows your body is maturing, like, for real.

Basically, your period is a sign that your reproductive system is waking up and working. It means your body is starting to ovulate, which is when an egg is released each month. Even though you're probably not thinking about babies right now (and you totally shouldn't be!), your period is proof that your body is getting ready for all that future stuff. So it's a super important part of puberty!