A period is a release of blood from a girl's uterus, out through her vagina. It is a sign that she is getting close to the end of puberty. It also means that she can get pregnant if she has sex.

There is a lot to learn about periods. Here are answers to some common questions.

When Do Periods Usually Start?

Most girls get their first period when they're around 12. But sometimes it comes a few years earlier or later. Every girl's body has its own schedule.

There isn't one right age for a girl to get her period. But signs to watch for include:

• breasts starting to develop (periods usually start about 2 years after this)
• hair growing under a girl's arms and in her private parts
• seeing or feeling vaginal discharge fluid (sort of like mucus), which usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period

What Causes a Period?

A period happens because of changes in hormones in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones estrogen and progesterone , which cause the lining of the uterus (or womb) to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg (an egg that has joined with a sperm) to attach to and develop into a baby. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the same process happens all over again.

It usually takes about a month for the lining to build up, then break down. That is why most females get their periods around once a month.

How Does Ovulation Relate to Periods?

Ovulation (pronounced: ov-yoo-LAY-shun) is the release of an egg from the ovaries. The same hormones that cause the uterus lining to build up also cause an egg to leave one of the ovaries. The egg travels through a thin tube called a fallopian tube to the uterus.

If the egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the wall of the uterus, where over time it develops into a baby. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterus lining breaks down and bleeds, causing a period.

Do Periods Happen Regularly When Menstruation Starts?

For the first few years after a girl starts her period, it might not come regularly. This is normal at first. By about 2–3 years after her first period, a girl's periods should be coming around once every 4–5 weeks.

Can a Girl Get Pregnant as Soon as Her Period Starts?

Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. A girl can even get pregnant right before her very first period because her hormones might already be active. The hormones may have led to ovulation and the building of the uterine wall. If so and the girl has sex, she can get pregnant, even though she has never had a period.

How Long Do Periods Last?

Periods usually last about 5 days. But a period can be shorter or last longer.

How Often Does a Period Happen?

Periods usually happen about once every 4–5 weeks. But some girls get their periods a little less or more often.

Should I Use a Pad, Tampon, or Menstrual Cup?

You have many choices about how to deal with period blood. You may need to experiment a bit to find which works best for you. Some girls use only one method and others switch between different methods.

• Most girls use pads when they first get their period. Pads are made of cotton and come in lots of different sizes and shapes. They have sticky strips that attach to the underwear.
• Many girls find tampons more convenient than pads, especially when playing sports or swimming. A tampon is a cotton plug that you put into your vagina. Most tampons come with an applicator that guides the tampon into place. The tampon absorbs the blood. Don't leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours because this can increase your risk of a serious infection called toxic shock syndrome.
• Some girls prefer a menstrual cup. Most are made of silicone. To use a menstrual cup, a girl inserts it into her vagina. It holds the blood until she empties it.

How Much Blood Comes Out?

It may look like a lot of blood, but a girl usually only loses a few tablespoons of blood during the whole period. Most girls need to change their pad, tampon, or menstrual cup about 3‒6 times a day.

Will I Have Periods for the Rest of My Life?

When women reach menopause (around age 45‒55), their periods will permanently stop. Periods also stop during pregnancy.

What Is PMS?

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is when emotional and physical symptoms happen before or during a girl's period. These can include moodiness, sadness, anxiety, bloating, and acne. The symptoms go away after the first few days of a period.

What Can I Do About Cramps?

Many girls have cramps with their period, especially in the first few days. If cramps bother you, you can try:

• a warm heating pad on your belly
• taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or store brand) or naproxen (Aleve or store brand)

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Most girls don't have any problems with their periods. But call your doctor if you:

• are 15 and haven't started your period
• have had your period for more than 2 years and it's still not regular (coming about every 4–5 weeks)
• have bleeding between periods
• have severe cramps that don't get better with ibuprofen or naproxen 
• have very heavy bleeding (bleeding that goes through a pad or tampon faster than every 1 hour)
• have periods that last more than about a week
• have severe PMS that gets in the way of your everyday activities

What Else Should I Know?

Periods are a natural, healthy part of life. They shouldn't get in the way of exercising, having fun, and enjoying life. If you have questions about periods, ask your doctor, a parent, health teacher, school nurse, or older sister.