First period: a guide for teens and families

Your first period may look like a few reddish-brown spots in your underwear. It doesn’t have to start with a lot of blood.

The first part is for you if you’re a teenager; the second is for a parent or carer.

If you’re a teenager

When it might start

Periods usually start around age 12, although the NHS gives a broad range of 8 to 17. Don’t use that range to put off asking for advice: see a GP if yours have not started by 15, or by 13 if you have no other signs of puberty.

Breast growth, underarm hair and pubic hair can come before your first period. The NHS says periods typically begin about two years after breasts start growing; ACOG’s puberty guide says about two to three years. These changes can’t reliably tell you the exact start date.

If a change leaves you unsure, ask someone you trust to help you find an answer.

What to use when bleeding starts

A pad sits inside your underwear and absorbs blood. Period underwear has absorbent material built into it. Tampons absorb blood inside the vagina; menstrual cups sit inside it and collect blood.

You can start with a pad if that feels easiest, and try a different product later. You do not have to use one that goes inside your vagina.

Read the instructions for whichever product you choose. ACOG advises changing tampons every four to eight hours, sooner if needed for your flow. Do not leave one in longer than eight hours. Ask a trusted adult to help with any instructions you’re unsure about.

Keep products and spare underwear in your bag before your period starts. At school, ask a teacher or school nurse if you need supplies.

The next period may not arrive on schedule

Early periods can be irregular: you may miss a period or have two in a calendar month. Count a cycle from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, whatever month the dates fall in.

If you’d like to start a cycle record, mark the days you bleed on a calendar. Add anything you want to remember, such as “needed a change of clothes”.

You do not need a perfect record to ask for help. Tell a trusted adult and arrange a GP appointment if periods are more than 90 days apart, even once, as ACOG advises.

Period pain and when to tell an adult

For cramps before or during a period, a warm bath or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel may help. Gentle walking is another option if you feel up to it. The NHS also lists paracetamol or ibuprofen. Follow the pack leaflet for your age and ask a pharmacist if you’re unsure what is suitable.

Tell a trusted adult if pain keeps you from school, sleep or your usual activities. Ask them to help you get support; there’s more on period pain and getting help.

Tell someone promptly if you keep bleeding through clothes or need to change a pad or tampon every one to two hours. These are among the NHS signs of heavy periods. If heavy bleeding comes with dizziness or a racing pulse, ACOG advises medical help straight away.

For severe period pain that painkillers have not helped, seek urgent medical advice. If lower-tummy pain comes with faintness, difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding, get emergency help. The routes are set out below. If an adult is not available, contact the service yourself.

If you’re a parent or carer

Talking before and after the first period

Talk before the first period and keep talking afterwards. The NHS recommends ongoing conversations about periods. Buying products together can be an opening. Ask what your child already knows, and use clear words such as “vagina”.

You could say, “You can ask me about this whenever you want. If I don’t know the answer, we can find it.” Let them choose whether to talk now or come back later. They may prefer a written question or another trusted adult.

Explain what happens in plain terms: a period is blood and tissue leaving the womb through the vagina. Ask before telling relatives or anyone else about their first period.

Have supplies ready without taking over

Put together a small kit with your child: their chosen products and spare underwear, plus a bag for stained clothing. Agree where it will live and how they can ask for replacements.

Open a packet together if they want to see how it works. Help them read the instructions, including changing or cleaning the product. Ask who they could approach at school and how they would get a change of clothes. Offer help with a record, but ask what they want to keep private.

If they report a leak or pain, start with what they need now: supplies, somewhere to change, or help arranging care.

When to arrange a GP appointment

Book an appointment if there is no first period by 15, or by 13 without other puberty signs. ACOG also advises a check if three years have passed since breast development began without a period.

Once periods start, seek advice about a gap longer than 90 days, bleeding lasting more than seven days, or pain that interferes with usual activities. Bring whatever dates you have.

The NHS advises a GP appointment if heavy bleeding affects daily life. There’s more on the signs in recognising heavy periods.

When help needs to be urgent

If period pain is severe or worse than usual and painkillers have not helped, get an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 in the UK. Elsewhere, contact your local urgent medical service.

For lower-tummy pain with faintness, breathing difficulties or heavy vaginal bleeding, use emergency care. Pain that is getting worse or hurts when moving or touching the area also needs emergency assessment. In the UK, call 999 or go to A&E, or use your local emergency number or emergency department. Do not delay while trying to complete a period record.