When Will I Get My First Period?

Take this quiz to find out if your body is showing the signs yet.

Your friends might be talking about it, and your guardian may have even sat you down to have “the talk.” That’s right—puberty. And with your changing body comes menstruation and periods. But how do you know when you’ll get yours?

While everybody is different, there are a few signs that you’re likely to start your period to look out for. We’ve created a quiz that might help you determine if you’ll get your first period soon. And more importantly, we’ll also give you all of the resources and personal advice you need in order to feel confident about your period.

This quiz talks about body changes that happen during puberty, and it might not be appropriate for all ages. It’s also not an official medical diagnosis, as puberty affects everyone differently.

A cartoon image of period supplies, including blue pads, white tampons, and a pink box.

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Questions Overview

1. How old are you?
  1. 7 years old or younger
  2. 8 to 10 years old
  3. 10 to 12 years old
  4. 12 years old or older
2. Have your breasts started to grow?
  1. No, not yet.
  2. Yes, but only just recently.
  3. Yes, they started growing within the last 2 years.
  4. I’m not sure.
3. Do you have hair in your pubic area?
  1. No, not yet.
  2. Yes, but just a little.
  3. Yes, and there’s a lot of it.
  4. I’m not sure.
4. Do you have armpit hair?
  1. No, not yet.
  2. Yes, but only a few hairs.
  3. Yes, and it keeps growing.
  4. I’m not sure.
5. Do you have acne or pimples?
  1. No, my skin is pretty clear.
  2. Yes, but they come and go.
  3. Yes, my skin is very oily and acne-prone.
  4. I’m not sure.
6. Do you get vaginal discharge (whitish and sticky fluid in your underwear)?
  1. No, I don’t believe so.
  2. Yes. I got it recently.
  3. Yes. I started getting it about a year ago.
  4. I’m not sure.
7. Have you gotten taller or had a growth spurt recently?
  1. No. I’ve stayed about the same size.
  2. Yes, but I’ve only grown a little bit. You can’t really tell.
  3. Yes! I’ve grown a lot in the past year.
  4. I’m not sure.
8. How often do you experience mood swings (strong, sudden changes in emotions)?
  1. Not very often at all. I don’t really get mood swings.
  2. Sometimes, but it doesn’t happen all the time.
  3. Very often! I get mood swings all the time and don’t know why.
  4. I’m not sure.

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Periods 101

A period is a part of the menstrual cycle when the body’s uterus releases blood through the vagina. For most people, this happens every 28 days or so and lasts between 2 to 7 days. Periods typically start around the age of 12, but they can start earlier or later depending on the individual’s progression of puberty. “Menarche” refers to the first time you menstruate and marks the beginning of fertility.

So, what are the signs of menarche? Before getting your first period, your breasts will start to develop, your hips may widen, you might go through a growth spurt, may get oily skin or acne, and likely develop hair under your arms and in your pubic area. Your body continues to change and grow during and after menarche, and as periods become more regular, your hormones will balance out.

What are the symptoms of a first period? Leading up to your first period, you may feel pain or achiness in the belly or back, experience bloating, have tender breasts, get mood swings, be fatigued, and get breakouts.

How does menarche affect the body? A first period indicates that it’s possible to become pregnant. Because of this, if you’re sexually active, it’s important to start using regular birth control.

How do you take care of yourself on your period? Believe it or not, your life doesn’t stop when you're on your period! Having good hygiene and managing your blood flow and pain is all you have to do. Choose a period product that best fits your needs (pad, tampons, menstrual cups, or period underwear), use heating packs to soothe bloating, and take over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and Ibuprofen to ease cramps. If you experience extreme pain or your period starts to affect your everyday life, contact your doctor. While periods are uncomfortable, they shouldn’t interfere with your regular routine.

Will you have periods for the rest of your life? Nope! When you’re around the age of 50, you’ll go through menopause and your periods will permanently stop. Your periods will also stop if you’re ever pregnant.

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