Written by Soumali Datta
Menstruation, commonly known as a period, is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue (known as menses) from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.
The first period usually takes place between twelve and fifteen years of age. This onset of the first menstrual cycle is known as menarche. But periods may occasionally start as young as eight years old or as old as sixteen and still be considered normal.
The typical length of time between the first day of one period and the first day of the next is on an average 28 days, but it may vary from person to person. The menstrual cycle usually occurs for a period of 2 to 7 days.
Menarche is the onset of the first menstrual cycle, or first menstrual bleeding, in humans. It is often considered the central event of puberty from social, cultural and medical perspectives as it signals the possibility of fertility.
Girls experience menarche at different ages. Female biology, as well as genetic and environmental factors, especially nutritional factors, may also influence the timing of menarche.
Symptoms Of Menarche
Every person is unique and all of us have a different experience on our first menstruation. The following are some common signs and symptoms that are usually seen among first menstruators but they vary from person to person.
Puberty is the first sign that your first periods is on the way.
Developing breast “buds”: It may take three to four years for the breasts to develop fully, but most of the time, a girl gets her period about two years after her breasts start to develop.
Growing pubic hair: Just after the breasts start to form, the growth of pubic hair also begins. It is soft and thin at first, but it gets coarser over time. Growth of hair in the armpits is also a sign. The period usually arrives around one to two years after or maybe even less.
Growth spurt: When a sudden fast increase in height is followed by a slow down, it may be a symptom that your first period may start soon. Widening of hips, change in body shape increase in weight may also be plausible signs.
Discharge: Vaginal discharge is a white or yellowish mucus which a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge may start about six months to a year prior to the first period.
Just before the onset of menarche, a person may experience some premenstrual symptoms like headaches, acne, bloating, pains in the low abdomen, tiredness, mood changes, food cravings, breast soreness, and diarrhoea.