Dear Dish-It, I Don't Know If I'm Getting My Period

Advice About Your Period

Dear Dish-It is here to help with all your hot tops. Be it bullying, sibling rivalry, self-esteem problems, depression or suicide, Dish-It is here for ya. On the fly, she gives great teen dating advice, some deep thoughts on the hot topics like flirting, cheaters, best friends, the straight-up on boys and boyfriends as well as the real deal on girls and girlfriends. Dear Dish-It's got the words to make it work. Need advice on love and life, then just start writin' Dish-It. And now, Dish-It is hanging on the boards, so head on over to see the advice she's dishin' up there!

Dear Dish-It,
I'm 12 and I don't know if I'm getting my period because I have had one headache and a little pains in my abdomen area and I'm not sure... please help me.
taylah404

Dear taylah404,
Girls usually get their first period between the ages of 9-16, so you're in that age bracket. But, having a headache and some cramps aren't really signs that you're getting it just yet. Before you get your first period, your body will go through a ton of changes that bring on puberty. Yes, puberty! You will grow taller, develop breasts and hips, grow hair in your underarm and pubic area, and maybe even get some white vaginal discharge. Soon after all that, you'll get your first period. But you won't get a huge gush of blood the first time around. It'll most likely be a few spots of bright red blood, or a brown, sticky discharge. Since it's hard to tell exactly when you'll get your first period - it could come next month or next year - it's a good idea to start carrying sanitary pads in your bag. But, if it comes unexpectedly in gym class while you're shooting hoops, just ask your school nurse cuz she'll have a stack of pads for emergencies like this.

So gotta burnin' question? Need some love directions? Thinkin' about stuff like teen suicide, depression, sex, low self-esteem, boyfriends, girlfriends, losing old friends, bullying or peer pressure but are too scared to ask the 'rents? Don't be scared to Dish-It. Just remember, if you hang out in chat with other Kidzworld members who know you by your nick, you might wanna use a secret nick when you write in. That way no one will ever know it's you. Remember though, Dish-It gets tons of letters a day, so she can't answer 'em all. But keep checkin' the column cuz chances are, she'll be answering something very similar to your question soon. Thanks! Got some words of wisdom you wanna share? We'll dish them up too.

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