Usually, breast budding signals the onset of puberty, but this isn’t true for some people. It’s perfectly normal to notice other signs of puberty, such as pubic hair, before breasts. Don’t worry if that means you’re probably going to start your period later than your friends. Everybody’s body is different![3] X Research source Starting your period later doesn’t mean that you’re less mature or grown-up than your friends.
Even if you don’t have a growth chart, you can still keep track of your growth by looking at how your clothes fit. For example, you might try on a pair of pants that fit well 4-6 months ago and see how they fit now. Then, try something from last year—you’ll probably notice a big difference. Speaking of pants, around the same time, you might also notice that your hips are getting wider—that’s a part of puberty too, and can also cause your pants to fit a little weird.
Many people notice that they don’t have any discharge in the week before their period, but this isn’t the same for everybody. If discharge makes you uncomfortable or embarrassed, talk to a parent about getting panty liners to absorb it. At this point, it’s a good time to put together a period kit if you haven’t already. Get a small bag and include a couple of pads or tampons with a change of underwear.
Pubic hair is natural and normal, but some people prefer to shave it. If that’s something you want to do, talk to a parent about it. They’ll help make sure you know how to do it correctly so you don’t hurt yourself.
Diarrhea or constipation, nausea, and other digestive issues are also pretty common just before you get your period. [9] X Research source If these symptoms are bothering you too much, ask your parents if you can take some over-the-counter medicine to help you feel better.
On the other hand, if you’ve never had any acne before and you wake up one morning with a zit, it could mean your period is coming—but it could also just be a normal part of puberty. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know with your first period! After having several periods, you’ll probably start to notice a pattern.
Wearing a sports bra can help with this because your breasts won’t move around as much. If you keep them stable you won’t notice the soreness as much.
If you’re able to do so, getting up and walking around for a bit—even if it’s just walking in circles in your room—can sometimes help. Work with your parents to set up a good sleep routine. It’ll help your body know when it’s time to drift off, even when your hormones are out of whack.
This can be really hard to deal with because it can feel like you have no control over your emotions. When you start feeling anxious or irritable, it might help to take a few deep breaths and try to relax. If you do end up snapping at someone or saying something you don’t mean, just apologize. You might say, “I’m sorry I snapped at you—my emotions are out of control right now. "
A nice warm bath can ease some of that soreness. Throw in your favorite bath bomb and make it a treat! Exercise can actually help too, but it’s okay if you feel too tired to exercise. Even just taking a short walk, if you’re up to it, can help you feel a little more like yourself.
If your cramps get really uncomfortable, ask your parents for some ibuprofen—that’ll help. [16] X Research source
