Girls, I need advice about your period?

[Healthnut777]

Alright so my period has been regulating every 18 days, so pretty much every 3 or so weeks, and not the usual 28 days as I have been taught, is this normal? Also, do you have any advice on products to use? I have been using Tampax Pearl/U By Kotex Security Pads, they just bug me and are so uncomfortable! Any good product brands? Also, is it normal for your period to become heavier as you age and mature through puberty? How are you supposed to wear a pad correctly, because my underwear is weird. Like, the padding part isn't exactly in the middle, so its hard to properly place the pad, any advice? (They are hipsters by the Sonoma brand at kohls.) If any of you guys could help answer these questions, I know its a bit TMI, but please answer!!! Thanks!! :)

[angelling]

1. 28 days is the average length but some women have a longer or shorter menstrual cycle ranging from 21-35 days. Frequent periods with a cycle of 20 days or less can occur due to things like stress, medications and excessive exercise and tends not to be anything really serious. As you are 13, your periods may 'settle down' and your cycle may extend to the regular 21-35 day cycle. If anything, it's no harm to go see a doctor if you're really worried.

2. As for pads, I use Kotex night time for at night and Body Form during the day. Pads that have that blue part (or purple in the Body Form ones) in the middle of them will absorb the fluid better (I found out why and how but I can't remember right now) and cause less leakage. The wings also help to keep the pad on and I found I wasn't itchy like with the Kotex regulars which also were thick and prone to leaking. Always is another good brand that most of my friends swear by. Tampons are always an option if you're comfortable with that.

3. It is definitely normal for your period to become heavier, lighter or even for the length of bleeding to increase or decrease. I used to have a heavy 7-day period when I was a teen and now I have a 3-day period with only 1 heavy day. Even now at 21, my cycle still changes sometimes.

4. Get pads with wings to hold on to your underwear and limit slipping around. Take off the paper and stick the pad firmly into your underwear then wrap the wings around and press to secure them to the other side of your underwear. Have the pad more towards the back rather than the front (because that's where your vagina is so less directly in the middle to avoid leaking at the back).

I hoped I helped! My mum is a nurse so she helped me with the first question and the rest was just all from my personal experience.

[Healthnut777]

Thanks so much! I was really confused as to how I should place things, yadayadaya. You really helped me! I will use these tips also!! Since im going to be doing a ton of sports in the grade im going in, my period should change a bit, and it may settle down! At least I am showing some signs of regularity!! Anyways, great advice! <3 <3!

[Anonymous]

Hey. It's all good about the TMI :) Can't answer product questions sorry as I'm in the UK and I don't know what you've got over there.

With pad placement, I found it was pretty much trial and error. It was a bit of a wild guess at the beginning, depending on the size of pad and what underwear I was wearing lol. What I do sometimes is unfold the pad and try and position it on the outside of the underwear I'm wearing, then mark where I want the front edge with my thumb/index finger. Then I unpeel the sticky tabs with my other hand, pull out the waistband with my 'marking' hand, without moving the 'marking' finger, and position the pad on the inside. (Sorry, awkward description!) Obviously this works a lot better if you're not bleeding all over the place, so maybe give it a go when you're not on your period? I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

I don't really like tampons, but I think here we can get slimmer ones (Lil-lets) for younger girls. Don't know if you could find something like this, they might be more comfortable. I like the ones without an applicator. You have to be extra-careful about handwashing before and after, but I'm petite (5"1) and find most applicators far too bulky and uncomfortable.

I think it's probably normal for periods to fluctuate in terms of flow. Mine actually started out very heavy and got lighter for a couple of years, and now they seem to be fluctuating again. They're not consistent at all in terms of timing I'm afraid :/

Good luck!

[midnight_shadow]

All the things you mentioned about your period is normal at your age, by time it may become regular or irregular and you will know what is your" exact" menstruation cycle.
For applying pads, you can find videos on YouTube that will really help you out and that explains perfectly how to do them.
If you find your underwears uncomfortable or anything then think of getting one specially for your periods like you will only wear it while you have it and then go back to your ordinary ones when it is over :)

[heywhisper]

my period is every 21 days. I feel your pain. Mine always comes on time has since i was 11. So who knows if yours will change with age.

I always use always overnight. I am a heavy bleeder and those are the only pads that work for me. The longer your pad is the easier it is to line up in your underwear.

[523206720]

Its normal for your period to be abnormal if you just started having your period. Also being around friends who are menstruating at different times can alter your period and make it come sooner then normal. Once you are older, your period will become more regular.

[MissMc3]

That is totally normal, every girl is different. I actually get mine every two months. And you especially, only being 13, means your period can be all over the place and is normal. Personally I use tiny pads and rolled toilet paper. You are probably small because of your age which would be whyyou would have light periods but yes as you get older they can get heavier. And again, EVERY girl is different. I'm 5'7 and 115 pounds and my periods or really heavy, don't worry about it.