Hi. Welcome to the Q and A part of the site. Here's a chance to get menstruation answers to your questions and puberty questions without actually having to ask them out loud. There's also a list of other resources at the end of the section. If you're still thirsting for knowledge, talk with a parent, teacher or other trusted adult.

Q.	When will I get my first period?
A.	A. Good question. Most girls get their first period between the ages of 9 and 16. Most means the majority - not everyone will fall into this category. Anyway, it follows the development of breasts, hips, waist, pubic hair, and a growth spurt. Put those clues together and they are usually a sign of your first period. In addition, a girl will often weigh at least 100 pounds before menstruation begins. Genetics also plays a role. If possible, find out when your mom got her first period to get an estimate of when yours may arrive.
Q.	What will happen when I get my first period?
A.	Usually a first period is very light. It will probably be a few spots of bright red blood or a brown sticky stain that shows up on your underpants. If you are out in public and don't have a pad with you, don't panic. Remain calm. This is a time when true female bonding occurs. Hopefully, your mother or other adult relative will be close by and can supply you with a feminine product. If not, try Plan B. Ask a friend or other woman if she has a maxi pad. It's a well-kept secret that every woman at some time in her life has had to ask another woman for a pad. Yes, it's embarrassing, but you can rely on other women to see you through this situation. And in all honesty, first periods were designed really well because it is usually so little that it won't seep through to your outer clothes.
Q.	How long will my period last?
A.	Everyone is different. Your period can last between two and seven days. Most girls have it for about five days
Q.	What should I do when I get my first period?
A.	In addition to what's covered above, it's a good idea to have feminine products ready for that first period, and to know how to use them. (See the Kotex products section of our site for more information about these products.)
Q.	What if I get my first period at school?
A.	If you have a maxi pad with you, go to the girls' room and put it on. If you don't have one, go to the school nurse, the office, or wherever you can get a maxi pad. How about keeping a pad at school in case of emergency? If you don't need it, maybe one of your friends will and she can return the favor some day soon.
Q.	What if my flow is really heavy and I have to use lots of pads?
A.	It's probably just a heavy flow, which can happen during a period's first day or two. Some girls normally experience a heavy flow. If you have a prolonged heavy flow, call your doctor.
Q.	Will I have to stop activities such as sports when I have my period?
A.	No. These days it's hard to use a period as an excuse to get out of gym class. Believe it or not, the more active you are, the less likely you are to have menstrual cramps. And, if you're worried about leaking during sports activities, check out the Kotex products section of the website to find out how to help prevent leaks by using a maxi pad or tampon that fits you and your period.
Q.	How often will I get my period?
A.	Menstrual cycles range anywhere between 21 to 45 days. The average is 28 days. At first, it will probably be irregular. The time between when you get it, the length and time you have it, and the amount of flow will all vary. As your body finds its own internal rhythm, your period will settle into a pattern. It can take a year or two. Mark your periods on our period calendar to get used to following your monthly cycle.
Q.	Can I go swimming when I have my period?
A.	Yes, you can go swimming on your period, but don't wear a pad. It will swell up like an inflatable raft. If you want to swim, you should wear a tampon. But first, talk it over with your parent or other responsible adult before trying this (the tampon, not the swimming). Please see Questions and Answers about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Or, check out Important Information about Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Q.	Can I take a bath when I have my period?
A.	Yes. In fact, a bath or a shower is really important at this time to keep you clean and to fight off any odors that may occur.
Q.	Will getting my period hurt?
A.	The actually bleeding part doesn't hurt. The menstrual cramps are uncomfortable but manageable.
Q.	What do period cramps feel like?
A.	You've probably already guessed this, but cramps don't feel menstrual good. Cramps are a pain. And they're particularly a pain around the area of the uterus that is below your belly button. Sometimes they lodge in your lower back. Cramps are caused by the uterus contracting. You can get them just before and during your period. Some girls have a few period cramps, some have lots, and then there are those who have none. The intensity of the menstrual cramps varies, and you may not get them every time you have your period. They can be managed with over the counter pain relief medication. Ask your doctor for more information.
Q.	What is menstruation, anyway?
A.	This is strictly a biological explanation so hold on. Menstruation is your monthly opportunity to create a baby. When your body first becomes able to produce a child, usually between the ages of 9 and 16, it begins preparation once a month for possible motherhood. This time in your life is known as menarche ("muh-NAE-key"). A tiny egg matures in one of your ovaries, then travels down a fallopian tube toward your uterus. Your uterus, meanwhile, has been preparing for the egg's arrival, and its lining has gotten thick and velvety. If the arriving egg is fertilized by a sperm, your uterus is all set to protect and nourish the developing baby for the next nine months. If the egg doesn't get fertilized - because there is no sperm present, then your uterus has no use for that thick, spongy lining. So it sheds the lining and flushes it out - along with some blood, body fluids, and the disintegrated egg. For 2 to 6 days each month, all this stuff flows out of your body through your vagina as reddish-brown menstrual flow. After the onset of menstruation, you'll usually have a menstrual period about every 28 days (except during pregnancy) although your cycle may vary anywhere from 20 to 35 days. Flash forward about 40 years, when your body enters menopause. Your ovaries stop producing eggs and your periods stop.
Q.	What does it mean if I have an irregular period or late period?
A.	Irregular periods for the first couple of years are normal. But, after that, when you've started to menstruate regularly, missing a period may be a sign of pregnancy (if you are sexually active). Other causes of irregularity include a change in diet, increase in exercise or drug use. The best advice is to chat with your health care provider if you're concerned.
Q.	Will other people know I'm having my period?
A.	When you're having your period, you don't want the world to know. Regular bathing, proper use of pads and/or tampons and loose, comfortable clothes are a good strategy to keep your period from sticking out in a crowd.
Q.	Why do I feel crabby and sad right before my period?
A.	PMS. Those three little letters pack a punch, don't they? Moodiness, anxiety and depression are all part of premenstrual syndrome's big bag o' tricks. Again, some women don't get PMS and no guy on the planet "gets" PMS. So if you're suffering with headaches, backaches, pimples, nausea and food cravings, call a friend, the kind who will understand, and talk about it. She may have some advice on ways to find relief. Or, visit "Gab Away" to chat with other girls who might be going through the same thing.
Q.	What are the causes of PMS and why do I feel so darn fat?
A.	PMS symptoms are caused by hormonal changes that take place prior to menstruation. As hormone levels even out, PMS symptoms gradually disappear. The emotions and problems that seemed overwhelming suddenly feel manageable. Get to know your menstruation cycle and you will know when to head off PMS. As for the "fat thing." Here's the skinny. Just before and during your period, your body tends to retain water. This added fluid might make you feel bloated or your breasts feel tender. It's normal to gain a couple pounds during this time of the month - and ditch them when your period is over. If you feel like a water balloon, pull on some loose, comfortable clothing. Don't even think about using a pair of pliers to pull up the zipper on your favorite jeans. It's not worth the discomfort. Avoiding salt immediately before and during your period is also a good idea. Salt increases water retention.
Q.	What if I bleed through my clothes?
A.	Ick. Ick. Ick. And it has happened to almost every woman. First step is damage control. Tie a sweater or jacket around your waist or untuck your shirt. If that's not an option, have a good friend walk directly behind you on the way to the bathroom. Find the closest tampon or maxi pad. When you get to the bathroom, check to see if you can blot out any noticeable spots. If it's a hopeless situation, take a trip to the nurse's office and see if someone can bring you a change of clothes from home. If you are at work or out shopping, try to call it a day and head home. Soaking your underwear or other clothes in cold water and using a stain remover can usually get out any blood stains. O.k., now an important word about preventing this from ever, ever, ever happening again. Being proactive can keep this from being a worst-day-ever type of situation. In the future, stash an extra pair of underwear in your locker and wear dark clothes on days when you're expecting your period or when your menstrual flow is at its heaviest. Plan on changing your feminine product on a regular basis. Don't wait until it's too late because you're busy. Wear the right product for your flow. For more information on the feminine products that are right for you, visit Kotex products.