Preparing for Menarche

Menarche (pronounced MEN-ar-kee) is simply the medical word for a person's first period. It's a milestone, not an emergency, and a little preparation goes a long way toward making it feel like the first one instead of the scary one.

Signs Your First Period May Be Close

• You've noticed breast buds and some pubic hair for a year or two already.
• You've had a recent growth spurt.
• You've started noticing clear or whitish discharge in your underwear, often three to twelve months beforehand.
• You feel occasional mild cramping or a dull ache low in your belly, even with no bleeding yet.

None of these signs tell you the exact day. Nobody, not even a doctor, can predict that. But together they mean your body is getting close, so it's a great time to get ready.

A few small things to keep on hand so you're never caught off guard.

Where to Keep Your Kit

• A small zip pouch in your school backpack.
• A spare in your gym bag or locker, if you have one.
• One at home in your bathroom drawer or bedside table.

Having supplies in more than one place means you're covered no matter where you are when your period starts.

What to Do If It Starts and You're Not Prepared

• Stay calm, it happens to almost everyone at least once.
• Fold toilet paper or tissue into your underwear as a temporary fix.
• Tell a trusted adult, school nurse, teacher, or friend's parent, they will very likely have a spare pad and won't think it's a big deal.
• Tie a jacket or sweater around your waist if you're worried about clothing until you can change.