Dear Anonymous,

Congratulations on starting your period! Having your period, also called menstruation, is a sign that you're growing up. It means that your body is healthy and normal. For some girls, the signs that their periods are going to start are: tender breasts, feeling tense, and swelling of the abdomen or other parts of the body. Sometimes there's a crampy feeling in the back, legs, or abdomen. Some girls get pimples a few days before. As you get older, you will become more familiar with signs that your period is coming. This will help you be prepared.

Many girls mark the days they bleed on a calendar. For most women, periods will happen every 21-35 days. Keeping a calendar will help you predict when you will bleed again. It will help you know when you are going to need sanitary pads or tampons. Also, you'll be able to know if your period is late or early. And you'll have a record if you need to see your clinician about any health problem.

However, young women should not be surprised if their menstrual cycles are unpredictable. It may take a year or more for a girl's cycles to settle down and become somewhat regular in frequency and length.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.