Your friends might be talking about it, and your guardian may have even sat you down to have “the talk.” That’s right—puberty. And with your changing body comes menstruation and periods. But how do you know when you’ll get yours?
While everybody is different, there are a few signs that you’re likely to start your period to look out for. We’ve created a quiz that might help you determine if you’ll get your first period soon. And more importantly, we’ll also give you all of the resources and personal advice you need in order to feel confident about your period.
This quiz talks about body changes that happen during puberty, and it might not be appropriate for all ages. It’s also not an official medical diagnosis, as puberty affects everyone differently.
Questions Overview
- 7 years old or younger
- 8 to 10 years old
- 10 to 12 years old
- 12 years old or older
- No, not yet.
- Yes, but only just recently.
- Yes, they started growing within the last 2 years.
- I’m not sure.
- No, not yet.
- Yes, but just a little.
- Yes, and there’s a lot of it.
- I’m not sure.
- No, not yet.
- Yes, but only a few hairs.
- Yes, and it keeps growing.
- I’m not sure.
- No, my skin is pretty clear.
- Yes, but they come and go.
- Yes, my skin is very oily and acne-prone.
- I’m not sure.
- No, I don’t believe so.
- Yes. I got it recently.
- Yes. I started getting it about a year ago.
- I’m not sure.
- No. I’ve stayed about the same size.
- Yes, but I’ve only grown a little bit. You can’t really tell.
- Yes! I’ve grown a lot in the past year.
- I’m not sure.
- Not very often at all. I don’t really get mood swings.
- Sometimes, but it doesn’t happen all the time.
- Very often! I get mood swings all the time and don’t know why.
- I’m not sure.
More Quizzes
And we\u2019re here to give you all the advice and information you need to feel totally prepared<\/a>!<\/u>
Still curious to learn more? Check out these fast facts about periods to learn more about your body:<\/u>
We know going through puberty and getting your first period can be scary, and you may have a lot of questions. Don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to a trusted loved one for advice or talk to your doctor about anything you\u2019re curious about. While the world makes it seem taboo, periods are completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of or nervous about. Your changing body is amazing, so don\u2019t be afraid to embrace it!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-That-Your-First-Period-Is-Coming"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-With-Getting-Your-First-Period-at-School"}],"link_data":[{"title":"Signs and Symptoms That Your First Period Is Coming Soon","id":1813962,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-That-Your-First-Period-Is-Coming","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Know-That-Your-First-Period-Is-Coming-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-That-Your-First-Period-Is-Coming-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","alt":"Signs and Symptoms That Your First Period Is Coming Soon"},{"title":"How to Deal With Getting Your First Period at School","id":724190,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-With-Getting-Your-First-Period-at-School","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Deal-With-Getting-Your-First-Period-at-School-Step-14.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Deal-With-Getting-Your-First-Period-at-School-Step-14.jpg","alt":"How to Deal With Getting Your First Period at School"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You might not get your period for some time.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it seems like you\u2019re in the very early stages of puberty, which means it might take some time before your period arrives. But that\u2019s okay! Know that every body is different, and you\u2019ll start your period when the time is right for you.
In the meantime, it\u2019s important to stay knowledgeable and informed on what\u2019s to come so you can be prepared<\/a>. Here are some tips and advice for what to do leading up to your first period:<\/u>
Still curious to learn more? Check out these fast facts about periods to learn more about your body:<\/u>
We know going through puberty and getting your first period can be scary, and you may have a lot of questions. Don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to a trusted loved one for advice or talk to your doctor about anything you\u2019re curious about. While the world makes it seem taboo, periods are completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of or nervous about. Your changing body is amazing, so don\u2019t be afraid to embrace it!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Tell-if-You-Have-Started-Puberty-(for-Girls)"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-That-Your-First-Period-Is-Coming"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Tell if You Have Started Puberty (for Girls)","id":155993,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Tell-if-You-Have-Started-Puberty-(for-Girls)","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Tell-if-You-Have-Started-Puberty-%28for-Girls%29-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Tell-if-You-Have-Started-Puberty-%28for-Girls%29-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Tell if You Have Started Puberty (for Girls)"},{"title":"Signs and Symptoms That Your First Period Is Coming Soon","id":1813962,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-That-Your-First-Period-Is-Coming","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Know-That-Your-First-Period-Is-Coming-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-That-Your-First-Period-Is-Coming-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","alt":"Signs and Symptoms That Your First Period Is Coming Soon"}],"minimum":0}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>![\"Whats](\"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Whats-your-mindset-image.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Whats-your-mindset-image.png\")
<\/picture>","alt":"What's Your Mindset Quiz"},{"title":"How Lonely Am I Quiz","id":14432855,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Loneliness-Test","image":"![\"Loneliness](\"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Loneliness_test.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Loneliness_test.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"How Lonely Am I Quiz"},{"title":"How Insecure Am I Quiz","id":14019943,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/How-Insecure-Are-You","image":"![\"How](\"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/How_insecure_are_you_quiz.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-How_insecure_are_you_quiz.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"How Insecure Am I Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"My physical health","result":"Okay! Check out these quizzes about your physical health next:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Why Am I So Tired Quiz","id":13500176,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Why-Am-I-So-Tired-Quiz","image":"![\"Why](\"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Why-Am-I-So-Tired.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Why-Am-I-So-Tired.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"Why Am I So Tired Quiz"},{"title":"Are My Hormones Imbalanced Quiz","id":14197381,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Hormone-Type-Quiz","image":"![\"Hormone](\"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Hormone_type_quiz.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Hormone_type_quiz.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"Are My Hormones Imbalanced Quiz"},{"title":"Why Can't I Sleep Quiz","id":13284563,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Why-Can%27t-I-Sleep-Quiz","image":"![\"Why](\"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Sleep-quiz.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Sleep-quiz.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"Why Can't I Sleep Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>
Periods 101
A period is a part of the menstrual cycle when the body’s uterus releases blood through the vagina. For most people, this happens every 28 days or so and lasts between 2 to 7 days. Periods typically start around the age of 12, but they can start earlier or later depending on the individual’s progression of puberty. “Menarche” refers to the first time you menstruate and marks the beginning of fertility.
So, what are the signs of menarche? Before getting your first period, your breasts will start to develop, your hips may widen, you might go through a growth spurt, may get oily skin or acne, and likely develop hair under your arms and in your pubic area. Your body continues to change and grow during and after menarche, and as periods become more regular, your hormones will balance out.
What are the symptoms of a first period? Leading up to your first period, you may feel pain or achiness in the belly or back, experience bloating, have tender breasts, get mood swings, be fatigued, and get breakouts.
How does menarche affect the body? A first period indicates that it’s possible to become pregnant. Because of this, if you’re sexually active, it’s important to start using regular birth control.
How do you take care of yourself on your period? Believe it or not, your life doesn’t stop when you're on your period! Having good hygiene and managing your blood flow and pain is all you have to do. Choose a period product that best fits your needs (pad, tampons, menstrual cups, or period underwear), use heating packs to soothe bloating, and take over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and Ibuprofen to ease cramps . If you experience extreme pain or your period starts to affect your everyday life, contact your doctor. While periods are uncomfortable, they shouldn’t interfere with your regular routine.
Will you have periods for the rest of your life? Nope! When you’re around the age of 50, you’ll go through menopause and your periods will permanently stop. Your periods will also stop if you’re ever pregnant.
Want to learn more?
For more information about periods, check out these resources:
- https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/menstruation.html
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/
- https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/menstruation.html
- https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/when-period.html
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/starting-periods/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24139-menarche
- https://allianceforperiodsupplies.org/preparing-for-your-first-period/
Medical Disclaimer
Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.
