Let's talk about it podcast: Your first period
Did you know that some girls get their period when they are 9, some girls get their period when they are 16? It’s not a race, and whenever you get your period is the right time for you.
Click the play button to listen to the podcast.
00:00:04
Welcome to “Let's talk about it” podcast, brought to you by Laaha.
00:00:11
Laaha is an open, online platform where women and girls
00:00:14
can get information about their health, wellbeing, and safety.
00:00:20
Please remember: All content provided on the platform
00:00:23
is based on scientific knowledge for educational purposes only.
00:00:27
It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
00:00:35
My name is Gabrielle and I’m here to talk with you about the first period.
00:00:42
Did you know that some girls get their period when they are 9,
00:00:45
some girls get their period when they are 16?
00:00:49
It’s not a race, and whenever you get your period is the right time for you.
00:00:57
Here are several clues that your body will give you
00:01:00
to let you know when your period is about to start:
00:01:03
First, you might notice some little bumps under your nipples.
00:01:09
These are called breast buds and will develop into your breasts!
00:01:14
You’ll start to see these about two years before you get your period.
00:01:18
If nothing has started happening up the top,
00:01:21
it will probably be a little time before anything starts happening down below.
00:01:28
Another important sign is public and armpit hair.
00:01:34
You’ll start to grow pubic hair on your vulva and armpit hair under your armpits.
00:01:41
Probably you’ll notice these changes about a year before you get your period.
00:01:47
If you haven’t grown any pubic hair or armpit hair yet,
00:01:52
it will probably be a little time before you get your period.
00:01:56
Another clue is vaginal discharge
00:02:00
You’ll notice white discharge, or clear or milky fluid, in your underwear.
00:02:06
This usually happens a few months before your period starts.
00:02:11
Keep in mind: Once you start noticing discharge,
00:02:15
it’s a good idea to keep a pad or a cloth pad ready.
00:02:20
Also, your breasts might feel a bit sore and you might feel irritable.
00:02:26
You might also have some cramping in the area below your belly button.
00:02:31
This usually happens during the week before yourperiod -
00:02:36
it’s called premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
00:02:42
Important reminder: You’ll feel these symptoms every month during the week before your period.
00:02:49
Keep a pad or a cloth pad ready!
00:02:53
Once your period does arrive, use a pad or cloth pad.
00:02:59
Clean yourself the same way that you would when you go to the toilet - front to back!
00:03:06
Then find a trusted adult and let them know.
00:03:10
Remember: At the beginning of the menstruation,
00:03:14
periods might come and go and be quite irregular, this is perfectly normal.
00:03:20
Be proud when you get your period. It means that your body is functioning normally!
00:03:30
If you have more questions or would like to talk to someone -
00:03:35
please feel free to find the contact details of a service provider near you by clicking
00:03:41
on 'get help' or to search for more articles using the search function or the chatbot.