When Will I Get My First Period & How Long Does It Last?

The question 'When will I get my first period?' is frequently asked by young girls across the world. Typically, periods can start anytime from the age of 8 up to 18, so you could notice signs of your first period at any point over this time. However, it's important to know that everyone is different, and you won't necessarily get your first period at the same age as your mum, sister or friends.

Firstly, don’t worry! Getting your first period is simply a sign that you are becoming a young woman. Once you’ve started your first period, you will have many questions that you want answering, from how long a period lasts to what products you need to buy. For those of you who haven't started yet, you'll probably be wondering what your first period will be like. Here’s a little advice from us at Lil-Lets:

First, you'll need some pads. Lil-Lets teens pads are ideal for your first period. Ask your parent, guardian, or relative for some. You’ll need to change your pad every two to five hours.

Before you go to bed, you might want to switch to a specially designed night pad, as this will give you the extra protection you need when you move around in your sleep. These can be changed when you wake up the next morning. Lil-Lets’ teen range has all the essential products that you’ll need for starting your first period, from wipes to non-applicator tampons and period starter packs.

Your period is likely to last two to five days but could be up to 10. If you make a note in your diary of when it first arrives, after a while it'll begin to settle into a routine which will give you an idea of when to expect the next one.

First periods, just like any other period, can vary from girl to girl in the amount of blood released or the length of the period, all of which is normal.

It's a sign that a female has entered a stage in her life where her body (her uterus and endometrium) have matured enough and the passage from the uterus and the cervix to the vagina has opened to allow menstrual fluid to pass. In other words, it's a way of preparing your body to have a baby at some point in the future.

Once you're in a regular pattern, it'll arrive between 21-34 days later. But to begin with, it could take longer than that. You might find that you have irregular periods for a while, and this is completely normal. It can take your body a few years to fall into its own regular pattern!