For teens · Bodies · Cycles · 4 min read

Your period: what's normal and when to talk to someone

What to expect, what's worth tracking, and the signs that mean it's a good idea to see a GP.

Periods are one of those things everyone assumes you'll just figure out. And you will. But it's a lot easier when you know what's normal, what isn't, and who to ask.

What's actually happening

About once a month, your body gets ready for a possible pregnancy by building up the lining of your uterus. When there's no pregnancy, that lining comes away, and that's your period. It's a normal, healthy part of how bodies work.

A period usually lasts somewhere between two and seven days. The time from the first day of one period to the first day of the next is your cycle.

Your first couple of years

When you first start, your cycle is often all over the place. That's common. Your body is still working out its rhythm. You might have a period, then nothing for two months, then two close together. For many people, it settles into a more regular pattern after the first couple of years.

In your teens, a cycle anywhere from about three weeks to six weeks is common. It doesn't have to be exactly 28 days. Hardly anyone's is.

What's common

Some cramps or aches in your lower tummy or back, especially in the first day or two.
Feeling tired, bloated or a bit off.
Mood changes before or during your period: more emotional, irritable, or low.
Breakouts, sore boobs, cravings.
Blood that's bright red, dark red or brownish. All normal.

What to track

Tracking your cycle helps you know when your period's due, and it gives you useful information if you ever need to see a doctor. You can use an app, a calendar, or a note in your phone. Things worth jotting down:

The day your period starts and how many days it lasts.
How heavy it is: light, medium, heavy.
Pain, and how much it gets in the way.
How you're feeling in the days before.

After a few months, you might start to see patterns, like feeling low a couple of days before, or getting tired on day one. That's useful to know. It can help you plan and be kinder to yourself.

What helps

A hot water bottle or heat pack on your tummy. Gentle movement like a walk or stretching. Warm drinks. Enough sleep. Eating properly, even if you don't feel like it. Talking to a parent or your GP about pain relief that's right for you.

When to talk to someone

It's a good idea to see a GP if:

You're soaking through a pad or tampon every hour or two.
Your period often lasts longer than about a week.
The pain is bad enough that you miss school or can't do normal things, even with the usual stuff that helps.
You feel dizzy, faint or really exhausted during your period.
Your periods were regular and then stopped for a few months.
You're around 15 or 16 and haven't had a period yet.
Your mood before your period is so low it's affecting your life.

None of these mean something's definitely wrong. But heavy bleeding and bad pain aren't something you just have to put up with. There's usually something that can help.

Talking about it

It can feel awkward, but periods are really normal, and most adults have dealt with them in some way. You can talk to your mum, your dad, another family member, the school nurse or your GP. If you don't know how to start, try: "Can I ask you something about my period?" That's all it takes.

Try this

1Start tracking your cycle today, even just the start date in your phone's calendar.
2Put a pad or two and a spare pair of undies in a small bag and keep it in your school bag.
3Next period, jot down how you felt a few days before. See if a pattern shows up over a few months.
4If any of the 'see a GP' signs sound familiar, tell a parent or trusted adult this week.