When will I get my first ever period, and what can I do to prepare?
Most girls get their first period anywhere between the ages of 9 and 15. It will probably be a surprise one day to see some red or brownish spots of blood on your undies.
Put together a small period kit that can sit in your school bag. Use a small fabric pencil case or make-up bag (ask your mum for help) and fill it with a few supplies. Once your period starts you’ll soon work out what you need, but here are some suggestions:
- tampons and/or pads
- baby wipes for washing yourself (although toilet paper is fine)
- spare undies in case you get blood on the pair you’re wearing
- two or three folded-up small plastic bags for putting used pads or tampons in before you throw them in a bin
- two or three sandwich-sized brown-paper bags if you want to cover a see-through plastic bag.
Replace supplies the day you use them, when you get home.
There’s heaps more on periods in the book, Girl Stuff 8–12: Your Real Guide to the Pre-Teen Years.