Frequently Asked Questions: More Answers, Fewer doubts

Puberty happens to everyone! It’s a physical change that happens as you become an adult, usually between the ages of 10-14. As a girl, you’ll know you’re going through puberty when you notice your body going through physical changes like more definition in your waistline, development of breasts, and—of course—your first period

Your period is the last part of your monthly cycle. Stage 1 has your body building up blood-rich cells, preparing for pregnancy. Stage 2 is ovulation. Stage 3 is the shedding of the blood-rich membrane, also known as your period. Stage 4 is the length of time of your period, which is usually 3-7 days. Then it starts all over again (unless you get pregnant).

Everybody is different, but periods usually start somewhere between the ages of 10-14, and about 50% of girls will start their period by the age of 12. Don’t worry if you start your period earlier or later than your friends—it’s totally normal!

Most girls and women find that periods last for about 5-7 days, and that they get their period approximately once a month. After a couple of years of having your period your body will settle into a pattern that’s unique to you, and you'll be familiar with how many days of bleeding to expect. If you notice that you don’t get your period very often, or if it lasts for longer than 7 days, it might be a good idea to check in with your doctor.

Here are some surefire ways to feel better during your period. Try relaxing with a warm bath or hot water bottle – the warmth will ease overall tension and pain. It’s also important to stay active and eat well to help combat that dreaded bloat that many girls face as a symptom of PMS. If you find that nothing is truly helping you feel better, or that the pain is affecting your schoolwork or ability to enjoy activities overall, you can always talk to your gynaecologist or doctor about other treatments.

You should change your pad depending on your flow. It may seem like you bleed a lot during your period, but most girls normally lose between 4 and 12 teaspoons of blood during an average period. In the first 1-2 days of your period, you may bleed more heavily and need to change it often. If you are using pads with high absorbing capacity, then you can wear these for as long as 8 hours. Like when you are sleeping at night. 

Vaginal discharge happens to every woman and it is your body's way of keeping your vagina clean and healthy. You’ll notice that discharge tends to changes in both color and appearance over the course of the month, and that normal discharge ranges in color from colorless to yellow and has no smell. If you notice any changes or if you aren’t sure if your discharge is normal, you can always ask your doctor.

There’s no one way that puberty will affect your breasts. Some girls see a big increase in their cup size while other girls may see very little change at all. The important thing to remember is that every girl is different, and there’s no “perfect” cup size. Some girls also feel their breasts are sore or more sensitive during puberty—this pain, or lack of pain, is normal.

Puberty is a time when lots of changes are happening to your body, so it’s likely that you might feel a little uncomfortable, shy or moody. Just know that this is completely normal. And while each young woman grows and changes at her own pace, it’s good to share your experience with your friends. You’ll likely be relieved to know you’re not in it alone. Sharing your experiences might actually make it easier for you both to get through this time of big changes.

Some girls feel absolutely normal during their period, while other girls have a lot of period pain such as cramps. Some girls may have very little PMS symptoms, while others may feel tired, bloated and more emotional. It’s important to remember that each person is different and that you can even react differently from month to month.
Things like healthy eating and exercise can help you feel better no matter where you are in your monthly cycle. Try incorporating these things into your daily routine and see how it makes you feel!

Menstrual blood generally starts to smell when it comes in contact with air, like when it leaves your body. Lucky for you, our Stayfree® napkins are made with odour control system which helps prevents odour for a fresh and confident feeling.