First menstruation: when it happens, symptoms and what to do

The first menstruation, also known as menarche, normally occurs between the ages of 10 and 14 and depends on some factors such as the girl’s lifestyle, diet, hormonal factors and menstrual history of women in the same family.

Due to the hormonal changes that occur during this phase, the first menstruation is normally accompanied by other symptoms, such as increased hips and breast growth, for example, which may appear days, weeks or months before menarche.

It is important that the gynecologist is consulted as soon as the girl’s first menstrual cycle begins, as this will allow her to receive some guidance and clarify the main doubts.

Symptoms of the first menstruation

The first symptoms of the first menstruation are:

• Appearance of pubic and armpit hair;
• Breast growth;
• Increased hips;
• Small weight gain;
• Appearance of pimples on the face;
• Mood changes, where the girl may become more irritable, sad or sensitive;
• Pain in the abdominal region.

These symptoms are normal and indicate that the girl’s body is undergoing changes and, therefore, the use of medication, especially in the case of pain, is not recommended. However, if the pain is very intense, you can place a hot water bottle on your lower belly to alleviate the discomfort.

What color is the first period?

The color of the first menstruation is dark or brown at first, but it can also appear as small spots of pink or bright red.

Menstruation that is darker than normal is due to hormonal changes and therefore does not represent any health problem.

How much is the first menstruation?

The amount of the first menstruation varies from one person to another, so the first periods may be characterized by small intermittent spotting or begin with a small flow that increases over the days and then decreases again towards the end of the cycle.

What to do

After the first menstruation, it is important that the girl consults the gynecologist so that she can be given all the necessary guidance related to menstruation, symptoms that normally accompany the menstrual cycle, changes in the body and what to do during the cycle.

Therefore, some guidelines that can be given by the gynecologist and that should be adopted during the menstrual cycle are:

• Use a pad to retain menstrual flow, giving preference to night pads during the first days of the cycle;
• Change the absorbent every three hours or before this period when the flow is very intense;
• Perform intimate hygiene with neutral soap;
• Always have a sanitary pad in your bag, especially close to the date of your next period.

Menstruation is a natural process and is part of a woman’s life, and should not cause concern or embarrassment in the girl. Furthermore, menstruation can also be considered a sign of a woman’s fertility, that is, it indicates that the eggs produced were not fertilized, resulting in the desquamation of the uterine wall, the endometrium. Understand how the menstrual cycle works.

How many days does menstruation last

The duration of menstruation can vary according to the girl’s body, and can last between 3 and 8 days. In general, after 28 to 30 days of its end, there will be a new period. However, it is normal for subsequent periods to take longer to come down, as the girl’s body is still in the process of adapting, mainly related to hormonal changes.

Therefore, it is common for the cycle to be irregular in the first year after the first menstruation, as is the menstrual flow, which can vary between more and less intense between months. Over time, the cycle and flow become more regular, making it easier for the girl to identify when her period is approaching.

In general, a woman should menstruate every month until she turns 50, which is when menopause and menopause normally begin.

Is it possible to delay the first period?

Delay in the first menstruation is possible when the girl is under 9 years old and already shows signs indicating that the first menstruation is approaching, this situation is also known as premature menarche. Therefore, the pediatric endocrinologist can recommend some measures that help delay menarche and allow greater bone growth.

Normally, in these situations, the doctor recommends injecting hormones every month until the girl reaches an age at which there is no longer any advantage in avoiding menstruation. Find out more about early menarche and what to do.