Menstruation
During puberty, a girl has her first period. For about 5 days, some blood, mixed with mucus, flows from your vagina.. You can use tampons, sanitary pads or cups to soak up the blood and mucus.
Sexual maturity
You have your first ovulation a few weeks before your first period. From that point on, your body is capable of becoming pregnant. You are ‘sexually mature’.
TIP: If you're going to have sex, always use a condom, even if you've never had a period. You can actually become pregnant a few weeks before your first period.
Every month
From now on, you will have a period approximately once a month. Your menstruation is irregular at first. Sometimes you have another period after just 3 weeks, other times only after 6 weeks. After a while, it's easier to predict when you'll have your next period. How often you have a period and how long your menstruation lasts, is different in each woman.
Not so great
When you're having a period, or just beforehand, you don't feel so great. You perhaps have a stomach ache, a headache or you are moody or tired. What causes this? It's due to your hormones. They are working overtime and can mess up everything.
What can you do?
When you feel like that, it’s best to pamper yourself a bit. Hold a hot water bottle against your abdomen; it helps relieves the pain. Snuggle up on the couch. You could also take a paracetamol for the pain. Some women think that chocolate really helps.
Hevige klachten?
Klachten kunnen ook te erg worden. Is dit bij jou het geval? Neem dan contact op met je huisarts. Heel veel pijn of last hoort namelijk niet bij menstruatie! 1 van de aandoeningen die dit zou kunnen veroorzaken, is endometriose.
Video: STI testing and menstruation
Does it matter if you have your period when you take an STD test? Watch this video. Don't forget to turn on the subtitles!