R. : Having periods is a sign that your body may now be ready to have a baby (although you probably aren’t ready just yet!) Your periods will normally continue until you are in your 40s or 50s. That’s when most women stop ovulating (releasing an egg) and stop having their periods. Other times your periods may stop are if you are sick, if you are not eating well or exercising a lot, or if you are pregnant.  

R. : The menstrual cycle is your body’s way of preparing itself for a possible pregnancy. Once a month, an egg leaves the ovaries and travels down the fallopian tubes towards the uterus. At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thicker with extra blood and tissue to make a cushion for a potentially fertilized egg. If an egg is fertilized with sperm and you become pregnant, the fertilized egg will attach itself to your uterus where it will slowly develop into a baby. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus begins to break down so it can be shed (along with the egg that was not fertilized). Your period – or the time of bleeding – happens when your body gets rid of the extra blood and tissue that’s no longer needed. Then the cycle starts all over again.  

R. : You probably have friends who got their period before you and others who haven’t had theirs yet. Every girl is different and this is perfectly normal. Some girls start to menstruate as early as 9 years old, while others don’t start until they are 16, or even older. However, if you haven’t had your period by the time you are 16, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. 

R. : Your period itself is part of a bigger cycle that goes on inside your body every month as it gets ready for a possible pregnancy. As you enter puberty your body starts to change. Your breasts develop; you start to get pubic hair and hair under your arms; a few months before your first period you may even notice that you have a clear discharge from your vagina. Don’t panic! This is all normal.

R. : The first day of your period is called Day 1 of your cycle. Your cycle is counted from the first day of bleeding in one month to the day prior the first day of bleeding in the next month. Keeping a calendar will help you to know when to expect your next period. For example, if your period starts on the 1st of the month, you have 5 days of bleeding, and then you don’t have another period until the 30th of the month, then you would say that you have a 29-day cycle. Honest, it’s not that confusing!

To learn more about the different stages of the menstrual cycle, see the Periods section.

For the first couple of years that you menstruate, you may find that your cycle is all over the place, or you may settle into a pattern that is very predictable. Some girls know that their period will come every 28 days, and they can count on it. Others find that they have 28-day cycles for 2 months, then skip a period, and then have 2 periods really close together. As you get older, your periods will normally become more regular which will help you know when your period will come.  

R. : First, remember that every girl’s body develops at its own pace and reacts in its own way. Menstruation, also called periods, generally starts anywhere from age 9 to 16. So, if you haven’t gotten your period yet, don’t worry. You will get your period every month, or every 24 to 35 days (start counting on the first day of your last period). At first, the timing probably won’t be exact, or “regular,” and that’s normal. Give your body time to develop. Your period should last from 3 to 6 days, maybe longer at first. Sometimes it will be heavy, other times light. 

R. : Yes, because the amount and color of the blood varies throughout the menstrual cycle. Your blood will sometimes be red, sometimes brown, and sometimes reddish brown, in varying shades. That’s completely normal! Your bleeding will surely be heavier the first two days, and may even contain clots. If you notice an unpleasant smell in later days, don’t worry —that’s normal and it will pass. To feel more comfortable, be sure to practice proper hygiene and change your pad more often.  

R. : Again, that depends on the girl. You may feel like you’re bleeding a lot, but remember that the average amount varies, with some women losing about 3 tablespoons of blood and others 1/3 of a cup during a whole menstrual cycle. If you think you’re losing more than that, are bleeding through even the most absorbent pads, or feel sick, you don’t have to grin and bear it. Talk to your doctor.  

R. : Absolutely! You can even wash more often during your period, to help you feel more comfortable and relaxed. Avoid using vaginal douches. Gentle soap and water are enough to prevent odors. You don’t need to scrub harder than usual. Take it easy. When you’re finished, put a pad in your panties right away to avoid little accidents. You can also use the Incognito intimate cleansing cloths to help you feel fresh throughout the day.

R. : Not necessarily. You probably had a healthy growth spurt right before your first period. Afterwards, you’ll keep growing, but not quite as fast —just a few centimeters each year until age 16 or 17. Once again, your final height will depend on a number of factors such as heredity, diet, and others. The average height for adult females is 5 foot 4 inches. 

R. : All girls have vaginal discharge, and that’s normal. It consists of small amounts of fluid secreted by glands in your vagina and cervix. It’s your body’s way of keeping your vagina clean by eliminating things like dead cells on the surface. Nature sure works well, doesn’t it? For your daily hygiene and to keep your panties clean, you can use a panty liner on days when discharge makes you especially uncomfortable.

R. : The color and thickness of your discharge varies with your menstrual cycle. For example, it is thicker at ovulation, when one of your ovaries releases an egg about two weeks before your period.

Your discharge should be clear or milky and never give off an unpleasant odor. If you notice an increase in the amount of discharge, a change in color (yellow or greenish), a foul odor, irritation, itchiness, or burning, you may have a vaginal infection. Other problems, such as yeast infections, may affect your vagina for any number of reasons. This type of infection is painful and uncomfortable and must be treated. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to see a doctor.  

R. : Many factors can upset your vagina’s normal balance, including vaginal douches, feminine sprays, some soaps and bubble baths, antibiotics, etc.

Here are some tips for preventing infections:

• Wear panties with a white cotton panel, and be sure that they’re not too tight. Synthetic and dyed fabrics may cause irritation. At night, don’t wear panties.

• Wear comfortable pants that aren’t too tight in the crotch. That part of your body needs to breathe.
• If you have sex, use a condom.  Some infections produce no symptoms in boys and can be passed to girls without either knowing it.
• Choose pads and pantyliners with a “cottony soft” covering, instead of one that’s waterproof or plastic, in order to keep you dry and let your genitals breathe.

R. : Yes. Birth control pills should even help make your cycle more regular. Oral contraceptives contain hormones that may have other beneficial effects on your body, such as diminishing menstrual pain and blood flow. They can even help clear up acne and decrease vaginal discharge. If you’re planning on using contraceptives, talk to your doctor first.  

R. : Yes. Puberty is a major stage of life. Your body is reaching maturity and preparing for reproduction, or having babies. Getting your first period means that you’re healthy and your body has reached the sexual maturity of a woman. Of course, you can’t get pregnant if you’re not having sex.  

R. : That’s normal, but you really shouldn’t worry. No one will think badly of you! Keep playing sports and doing all your regular activities. Don’t be afraid to share your fears with your best friend and even your boyfriend. If they love and respect you, they’ll understand and stay close.  

R. : Don’t worry —you’re not alone! To keep from staining your clothing, wear the right sanitary pad for each stage of your menstrual cycle. On light flow days, a smaller, thinner pad will do. You can always wear a longer, more absorbent pad at night and on heavy flow days (generally the first two days). You’ll see —today, even the most absorbent sanitary pads are so thin that no one will ever know you’re wearing it. You can go to « Our products » section to learn more about the products INCOGNITO® can offer you for a better protection. 

R. : You’ll find that you need to change your pad every 3 hours or so. Go to the bathroom regularly to make sure no blood has leaked onto your panties. Most women prefer pads with protective tabs that you can simply fold over and stick to the underside of your panties using the adhesive strips.

Pads with protective tabs are especially handy because they keep the blood from overflowing and staining your panties. You’ll see how great they are, especially if you’re active or into sports. If you usually have heavy periods, keep a few pads on hand in your purse and locker —just in case. Pads come in practical individual pouches that are highly discreet and easy to slip into a pocket before you head to the bathroom.  

R. : Of course! Young women sometimes have apprehensions on the first try, but with practice, tampons quickly become easy to use and are often found to be most practical, especially when you have an active lifestyle or for swimming. Before the first use, read carefully the instructions in the box.

Tampons have different absorption levels (from “slender” to “super plus”), you can pick the one that matches your flow. If you have just started getting your period you might want to start with a lighter, slender size. It is also possible to use more than one size of tampons within the same cycle since the blood flow varies from one day to another (most often, the 2nd day is the heaviest).

R. : Tampons should be changed every 4 hours during the daytime, and more often if you have a heavier flow. This helps prevent infection. It is recommended to use tampons for up to 8 hours. This is why it is not recommended to use them overnight unless you are sure to sleep less than 8 hours.  

R. : Always dispose of your pad in the garbage, not the toilet. You can roll it in toilet paper or the wrapping from your new pad before throwing it away, for your privacy and for that of the other girls.

R. : If you are wondering which INCOGNITO® product you should use, do not hesitate to ask your mother, a friend or the nurse of your school. You can also join our consumer service at 1-800-303-6635 and it will be our pleasure helping you choosing the right product. You can also visit Our Products section on this website to discover all INCOGNITO®’s offering.