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The first menstruation, also known as menarche, usually happens around the age of 12, however in some cases the first menstruation can happen before or after that age due to the girl's lifestyle, diet, hormonal factors and menstrual history of women in the same family.
The appearance of some signs and symptoms may indicate that the first menstruation is near, such as enlarged hips, breast growth and underarm hair, for example, it is important to monitor the development of these symptoms and always have an absorbent close by.
Signs and symptoms of first menstruation
The first menstruation is usually accompanied by some signs and symptoms that can appear days, weeks or months before menarche, and happen due to hormonal changes that happen in the girl's body. Thus, some signs and symptoms that may indicate that the first menstruation is near are:
- Appearance of pubic and underarm hair;
- Breast growth;
- Increased hips;
- Small weight gain;
- Appearance of pimples on the face;
- Changes in mood, the girl may be more irritable, sad or sensitive;
- Pain in the abdominal region.
These symptoms are normal and indicate that the girl's body is undergoing changes and, therefore, the use of medication, especially in the case of pain, is not recommended. However, if the pain is very severe, you can place a hot water bottle on the bottom of your belly to relieve discomfort.
It is also important that as soon as the first signs and symptoms of menarche appear or as soon as the first menstruation "comes down", the girl has an appointment with the gynecologist, because that way it is possible to understand what are the changes that are happening in this period and to know better deal with menstruation and the symptoms that may arise.
What to do
After the first menstruation, it is important for the girl to consult the gynecologist so that all necessary guidance related to menstruation can be given, symptoms that usually accompany the menstrual cycle, changes in the body and what to do during the cycle.
Thus, some guidelines that can be given by the gynecologist and that must be adopted during the menstrual cycle are:
- Use an absorbent to retain menstrual flow, giving preference to nighttime pads during the first days of the cycle;
- Change the absorbent every three hours or before that period when the flow is very intense;
- Perform intimate hygiene with neutral soap;
- Always have tampons in the bag, especially around the time of your next period.
Menstruation is a natural process and part of a woman's life, and should not cause concern or embarrassment in the girl. In addition, menstruation can also be considered a sign of the woman's fertility, that is, it indicates that the eggs produced were not fertilized, resulting in the flaking of the uterine wall, the endometrium. Understand how the menstrual cycle works.
How many days does menstruation last
The duration of menstruation can vary according to the girl's body, and can last between 3 to 8 days. In general, after 30 days of its end, there will be a new menstruation, however it is normal for the following periods to take longer to descend, since the girl's body is still in the process of adapting, mainly related to hormonal changes.
Thus, it is common that in the first year after the first menstruation the cycle is irregular, as well as the menstrual flow, which can vary between more and less intense between months. Over time, the cycle and flow become more regular, making it easier for the girl to identify when menstruation is approaching.
Is it possible to delay the first period?
The delay in the first menstruation is possible when the girl is less than 9 years old and already shows signs that the first menstruation is near, and this situation is also known as early menarche. Thus, the pediatric endocrinologist can indicate some measures that help to delay menarche and allow greater bone growth.
Usually, in these situations, the doctor recommends the injection of hormones every month until the girl reaches an age when there is no longer any advantage in preventing menstruation from coming. Learn more about early menarche and what to do.