For this stage
First periods / teen
Learning what's normal for me.
For young people getting to know their cycle. Gentle, parent-friendly, no intimate-health prompts.
What we track for you
- Cycle length (when it shows up)
- Flow, pain, mood
- Acne and skin
- Sleep and energy
Red flags we surface
- · No period by age 16
- · Period stops for 3+ months
- · Pain that stops school
When any of these show up across your logs, you get a prompt and the GPS opens with the right questions ready.
What's happening
First periods can feel like everything's changing at once. Here's what's normal, what isn't, and how to look after yourself.
Most people get their first period between ages 10 and 15 — usually about two years after breasts start to develop. Cycles take 1–2 years to settle, so it's normal for them to be irregular at first.
Your hormones are also driving mood swings, acne, sleep changes and growth spurts. None of this means anything is wrong — but tracking it helps you spot your patterns.
Year one of periods
Month 1–3
First few periods often arrive months apart. Flow can be light or surprisingly heavy. Both are normal.
Month 4–9
Cycles start to settle into a rhythm — but a 21–45 day range is still typical for teens.
Year 2+
Most cycles fall into a 21–35 day pattern. If yours don't, it's worth a GP chat.
Symptoms you might notice
Period cramps
Achy lower belly and back. Heat, ibuprofen and movement help.
Mood swings
Worst in the days before your period. Not 'in your head'.
Acne
Hormonal acne usually breaks out on the chin and jaw.
Heavy flow
Soaking through a pad/tampon every hour for 2+ hours = see a GP.
Self-care that actually helps
Find your product
Pads, period pants, tampons, cups — there's no 'right' answer. Try a few.
Period at school
Keep a small stash in your bag and locker. Teachers can give you a pass to the loo.
Track it
Even just ticking 'period today' for 3 months reveals your pattern.
Talk to someone
A parent, older sibling, school nurse or trusted teacher — you don't have to figure this out alone.
When to see a clinician
Same week
- · No period by age 16
- · Periods stop for 3+ months once they've started
- · Pain bad enough to stop you going to school
Worth a chat
- · Soaking through pads/tampons very fast
- · Cycles longer than 45 days after the first year
- · Severe mood changes around your period
Questions to ask your doctor
- Is this amount of pain/bleeding normal for my age?
- Could anything be making my cycles this irregular?
- What pain relief is safe for me to use?
- When should I come back if things don't settle?
Myths vs facts
Myth: Period pain is just part of being a girl.
Truth: Pain that stops you doing normal things isn't 'normal' — it's worth investigating.
Myth: Tampons take your virginity.
Truth: They don't. Virginity isn't a physical state.
Myth: You can't get pregnant before your first period.
Truth: You can — ovulation happens before bleeding.
Quick FAQs
Why is my first period brown?
Older blood oxidises. Brown, dark red, bright red and pinkish are all normal.
Can I swim on my period?
Yes — with a tampon, cup or period swimwear.
How long should my period last?
2–7 days is normal. Bleeding longer than that is worth a GP chat.
Free tools for this stage
What you walk into appointments with
A 1-page summary built from your logs, ready to hand over. See what it looks like:
See a sample summaryStart here
2 minutes to set up. Cancel any time.