How to Know If You're Having a Blood Period

Is it just blood? Is it your period? If you've never had a period or menstruated before, it can be frightening when you go to the bathroom and see blood. Here are some questions to ask yourself about blood periods, early periods, period symptoms, and how to know if you're having your period.

Things You'll Need

• Tampons
• Pads

Instructions

1. *Are you between 10 and 15? Most women start their blood period (also called menstruation) during this time. Also, if your breasts started to develop a few years ago, then chances are, it's your blood period.

2. *Did you have a white discharge or stain before the blood? Sometimes before they get their first blood period, women notice they have some white discharge in the months prior. This early period white discharge means a woman is about to start having period symptoms and blood periods.

3. *What does the blood look like? Blood periods occur when a woman's uterus sheds blood, lining, and tissue and they leave the body through the vagina. A blood period can be bright red, dark red, or reddish brown, and may have clots of tissue in it. If you see blood that looks like this, it's probably your period.

4. *How do you feel? Lots of girls have period symptoms such as stomach pains (cramps) and pimples, feel bloated, and feel grouchy when they get a blood period. About half of all women have cramps during a blood period. You may not notice these symptoms the first time you have a blood period, though - you may just think you have a stomachache.

5. *If you answered yes to all of these questions, you are probably having your blood period. But if you're not sure, and if you don't know how to get the products you need for your period, like tampons and pads, talk to your mom, the school nurse, or your doctor. He or she can answer your questions and get you help if you need it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are having a blood period, you can choose pads to soak up the blood or tampons to absorb the blood in the vagina.

• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help relieve the pain of blood period cramps.