Periods are when the blood and tissue lining your uterus leave your body through the vagina. They are different for everyone. Periods are coordinated by special hormones produced by your ovaries and chemicals produced by your uterus.

Many things can affect your period or menstrual cycle, including:

• How long since your periods first started
• Activity
• Stress
• Diet.

Periods can start when you’re eight or nine years old, but usually begin around 12 years old. If you haven’t period by the time you're 15 years old, it might be time to talk to your local doctor (GP). 

Read more about periods

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)

• Pain is common leading up to your period and for the first few days after it starts.
• The medical word for painful periods is ‘dysmenorrhoea.’
• Periods cause pain for a few reasons. If you have cramps, this is usually because your uterus (womb) muscles are tightening to help your uterus shed its lining.
• You don’t have to put up with painful periods.
• It’s a good idea to get help for your period pain if it impacts your life or upsets you.

Read more about painful periods

Heavy periods

• Your period might be ‘heavy’ if you lose so much blood that it impacts your daily life – for example, if you cancel plans during your period because it’s too stressful or hard to manage.
• Losing lots of blood during your period can cause your iron levels to drop, making you feel dizzy and tired.
• There are different types of medicine that can make your periods lighter, like non-hormonal medicines (such as anti-inflammatories and tranexamic acid – a medicine that reduces bleeding) and hormonal medicines (such as the pill).
• If heavy periods are affecting your life and make you feel tired or dizzy, you should speak to a doctor about treatments.

Read more about heavy periods

Skipping periods and the pill

• The pill (oral contraceptive pill) is a daily tablet that contains hormones similar to what your body makes.
• There are two main types of oral contraceptive pills. People often call both types ‘the pill.’
• Young people take the pill for lots of reasons, like preventing pregnancy, making their periods lighter, and reducing period pain.
• You can use the pill to skip (purposely miss) your period.
• It’s safe to skip periods with the pill.

Read more about skipping periods

Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, advice from your doctor or healthcare professionals. It is general information only and may not apply to your individual circumstances. You should always check with your healthcare provider before making decisions about your care or starting, stopping or changing any treatment.

The authors of this consumer health information have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up-to-date and easy to understand. The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Medical knowledge can change over time and the information contained in the handouts is updated regularly. Therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne Kids and Teens Pelvic Pain Clinical Network multidisciplinary team, supported by RCH services.

The Kids and Teens Pelvic Pain Clinical Network is supported by the Victorian Government.