Puberty happens to everyone! It’s a physical change that happens as you become an adult, usually between the ages of 10-14. As a girl, you’ll know you’re going through puberty when you notice your body going through physical changes like more definition in your waistline, development of breasts, and—of course—your first period.
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Everybody is different, but periods usually start somewhere between the ages of 10-14, and about 50% of girls will start their period by the age of 12. Don’t worry if you start your period earlier or later than your friends—it’s totally normal! Back to top
Most girls and women find that periods last for about 3-7 days, and that they get their period approximately once a month. After a couple of years of having your period your body will settle into a pattern that’s unique to you, and you'll be familiar with how many days of bleeding to expect. If you notice that you don’t get your period very often, or if it lasts for longer than 7 days, it might be a good idea to check in with your doctor. Back to top
It may seem like you bleed a lot during your period, but most girls normally lose between 7-10 teaspoons of blood during an average period. Generally, it’s a good idea to change your pad at least every 4 hours. In the first days of your period, you may bleed more heavily and need to change it every 2-3 hours. Back to top
Vaginal discharge happens to every woman and it is your body's way of keeping your vagina clean and healthy. You’ll notice that discharge tends to change in both colour and appearance over the course of the month, and that normal discharge ranges in colour from colourless to yellow and has no smell. If you notice any changes or if you aren’t sure if your discharge is normal, you can always ask your doctor. Back to top
Here are some sure-fire ways to feel better during your period. Try relaxing with a warm bath or heat pack – the warmth will ease overall tension and pain. It’s also important to stay active and eat well to help combat that dreaded bloat that many girls face as a symptom of PMS. If you find that nothing is truly helping you feel better, or that the pain is affecting your schoolwork or ability to enjoy activities overall, you can always talk to your gynaecologist or doctor about other treatments. Back to top
Some girls feel absolutely normal during their period, while other girls have a lot of period pain such as cramps. Some girls may have very little PMS symptoms, while others may feel tired, bloated and more emotional. It’s important to remember that each person is different and that you can even react differently from month to month.
Things like healthy eating and exercise can help you feel better no matter where you are in your monthly cycle. Try incorporating these things into your daily routine and see how it makes you feel!
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Menstrual blood generally starts to smell when it comes in contact with air, like when it leaves your body. Lucky for you, our Stayfree® pads are made with odour control system which helps prevents odour for a fresh and confident feeling. A good rule of thumb is to change your pad every 4 hours (or more frequently if your flow is intense). Back to top
