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Periods

Hey Sam,
I'm 12 and I started my period at the end of January.
Apparently they are supposed to go on for about a week then come back the next month? Well, when I had mine at the end January, it lasted about a week or so. I waited for the end February to come but it never did!
It's now the end or March and it's still not here! I told my friend and she made a joke of it saying I'm pregnant, and I found it a bit funny, but it's getting to a point where it is actually quite serious now and I'm a bit worried about what my body is doing!
Help! Thanks!
Ask Sam

Sam

Hello there

Thank you for your letter.

I think you have done really well to write to me to tell me about your worry. It’s natural to feel a bit anxious when you’re going through such big changes to your body. Experiencing periods for the first time can take a bit of getting used to.

It’s normal for periods to be a bit unpredictable when you first start. Having one period and then not having another one for a few months is not unusual at first. It’s ok to ask for reassurance if there’s anything about your body that you’re not sure about. It might be an idea for you to talk through any worries or concerns you might have with your GP or school nurse or an adult that you feel comfortable with, like your mum or an auntie.
 
Sometimes talking to your friends about puberty can be useful, but unfortunately sometimes people end up passing around a lot of rumours and incorrect facts. There is quite a bit of information about periods in the Puberty for girls page in Explore. That might help you feel more confident about what to believe!

You might like to talk to a Childline counsellor about how it feels now that you have started your periods or any other concerns that you have. With Childline, you can have a safe space to talk about anything and it is free to call and speak to a counsellor on 0800 11 11.

Take care

Sam

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