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

Dish-It serves up advice about getting your first period.

Advice About Your Period

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, ya gotta burnin' question? Need some love directions? Thinkin' 'bout stuff like depression, sex,how ya feel 'bout YOURSELF (that's called "self-esteem"), boyfriends, girlfriends, losin' old friends, bullyin' or peer pressure, but too scared to ask the parents? Don't be scared to .