By Peace Chukwu (LinkedIn)

I’m Peace Chukwu, a medical doctor with lots of experience helping young girls and women understand their bodies with clarity and confidence. You can learn more about me here.

So you just had your first period. Yay! Congratulations, welcome to womanhood. You must have a lot of questions. I'll try to answer some of them.

A period is a monthly bleed through your vagina from your uterus, usually a sign that you can get pregnant.

What's happening to your body?

You're bleeding through your vagina because your uterus is shedding its lining. This happens when your egg wasn't fertilized by sperm and also means that you're not pregnant. It's all part of a natural process called the menstrual cycle. This bleed is known as menstruation, or your period. For your first period, it's called a menarche.

Your period is a normal part of female development and one important milestone in puberty. You've probably also noticed other changes like breast development, height increase and hair in your armpits and pubic area. It simply means you're on your way to becoming an adult.

This is all thanks to changes in our hormones namely progesterone and oestrogen. Hormones are chemicals secreted by the body that act as messengers for different body functions. Progesterone and estrogen are responsible for changes in the menstrual cycle and the events leading to menstruation. 

Every month, these hormones signal your ovaries to release an egg. At the same time, your body prepares for the possibility of getting pregnant by making the walls of the uterus (see picture) thick and extra mushy with more tissues (lining of the uterus) and good blood supply, ensuring a soft and cozy environment for the development of a fetus.

However when pregnancy doesn't occur, the body finds a way to dispose of this arrangement by squeezing the uterine walls and shedding the extra tissues which come out as blood and clots. This is known as menstruation. It's all part of the female biological function and your body gets to do it all over again during the next cycle.

What's ovulation?

Ovulation is a phase in your menstrual cycle and the release of mature eggs from your ovaries where the eggs are stored, into your fallopian tubes which are tubes connecting your ovaries to your uterus. The egg then journeys towards the uterus, waiting to get fertilized by sperm. The human egg lives for 24 hours while sperm lives for about 3-5 days. This is why unprotected sex is very likely to result in a pregnancy specifically if it happens three to five days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation. Ovulation generally occurs about two weeks before your period.

Periods often happen between ages 8 and 14. A lot of girls get their period around 12 but everyone's body is different and unique. If you're above this range and you're worried about not getting it yet, you could see a doctor for proper evaluation.

Why are periods painful?

Periods can be painful or uncomfortable because of the prostaglandin hormones that cause the contractions of the uterus. These hormones are released by the body to ensure that the uterus sheds its lining along with the unfertilised egg that was released earlier. Period cramps are most common on the day you start your period, or the day before. However this will subside in two to three days.

Prostaglandin levels rise right before menstruation begins. Once your period starts, the levels drop, so the cramps usually get better after the first few days. The pain intensity differs for a lot of people too, however if it becomes unbearable, visit your school clinic or local doctor. 

There are other symptoms that you might experience when you get your period. While some girls have no symptoms at all, others might feel like throwing up, have diarrhea or become extremely tired. These symptoms are not out of place and usually improve after a few days. If they don’t and become worrisome, contact your local physician for an evaluation. Otherwise make sure to rest, eat adequately and consume a lot of fluids.

You've seen your period, now what's next?

First, take care of the bleeding by using a pad or a tampon and change regularly. If neither of these are available, swaddle some toilet paper in the meantime till you're able to get them. Talk to your parents, a teacher or a trusted adult, they may have the supplies you need and will address your concerns. If this happens in school, visit the school nurse. The infirmary almost always has supplies for menstrual care.

Try to avoid sugary foods and drinks as they can make cramps worse. To relieve cramps, drink warm fluids and use a heating pad or a neurostimulator. One great option specifically made for menstrual cramps and heavy menstrual bleeding is OhmBody.

It is a gentle, discreet ear-patch device that delivers transcutaneous auricular stimulation to the vagus and trigeminal nerves. These light electrical pulses help calm the body’s pain pathways and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn relaxes the uterine muscles and acts as a neural tourniquet, easing the pain caused by strong, cramp-like contractions and reducing heavy menstrual bleeding. Because vagus nerve modulation influences a wide range of physiological processes, from chronic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding to metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular functions, the benefits of OhmBody extend well beyond period discomfort. Pain medications are also an option if the cramps are severe, but make sure to see a health professional first.

Proper hygiene during this period is very important. Make sure to change your pad regularly, at least every three to four hours, or whenever the pad gets full before that time. Shower as often as you can and dispose of your used pads appropriately.

Do Periods Smell?

The period blood has a distinct metallic smell to it. The smell can change depending on factors unique to a person's body, such as hygiene, body chemistry, ph balance. When period blood sits too long on your sanitary pad or tampon, it oxidizes with the air around and smells unpleasant. This oxidisation coupled with bacterial action can make it smell worse.

Normally the smell is faint and not noticeable to other people, but certain infections can give it a characteristic fishy or foul smell. Improper hygiene during your period can also predispose you to infections. In case of this, a trip to the gynecologist will get that sorted.

Good hygiene practices can help reduce odours. Changing pads regularly, washing your hands before and after using the restroom as well as before and after using a menstrual product reduces contamination and odour. Clean menstrual cups after each use and wash period underwear daily. Keep your vulva(outer part of your genitals) clean by properly 

washing it with water only or with a gentle, unscented ph-balanced soap. Do not wash the vagina (the internal hole) as it is self cleaning. Douching, steaming, washing the vulva with harsh soaps or other chemicals, can disrupt the pH balance of the vagina and make you highly susceptible to infections and other health issues.

How long will this last?

Periods typically last 3 - 5 days and mark the beginning of a cycle, i.e. every 3-5 weeks. However, it is normal for periods to be irregular for the first two to three years. By 18, you'll be having regular periods

Will I menstruate for the rest of my life?

No, you'll stop when you reach menopause, which is typically between 45-55 years of age and signifies the end of your reproductive years.

How much blood will I lose?

It might seem scary, seeing all that blood, however we only lose about 5-80 mL, which is up to 6 tablespoons of blood, or one and a half shot glasses. Most girls lose less than that while some lose more.

Key points to remember

Most girls get their periods every 21 to 35 days.

Unprotected sex during ovulation is very likely to result in a pregnancy.

Change your pad or tampon every 3 to 4 hours to stay clean and comfortable.

Wrap used pads or tampons and dispose of them in a bin, not the toilet, or switch to biodegradable pads that are compostable and safe for the environment.

Learn how to track your cycle here.

For more information, talk to a trusted adult, school nurse, doctor, or check reputable health sites like Cleveland clinic and Mayo clinic 

Note: Peace Chukwu receives personal fees from medical writing and editing.