What to Expect

Getting your period means your body is doing a very normal (and powerful) thing-getting ready to grow life someday.

Each month, your uterus (an organ in your lower belly) builds a soft, comfy lining. If there’s no baby, the lining comes out as your period. That’s the blood you see. It’s not weird. It’s just how every woman’s body works.

It might sound wild at first but after your first couple of cycles, it will just be another part of your routine — like brushing your teeth or washing your face.

Every girl is different but here’s what most girls notice in the days, weeks and months before their first period arrives:

• You’ve had a little white or clear discharge in your underwear for a few months.
• You might get a pimple or two out of nowhere.
• You feel more emotional (like crying at that puppy commercial).
• Maybe your stomach feels a bit weird or achy.
• You spot a tiny bit of brown or red in your underwear — that’s usually the first sign it’s here!

When it happens, don’t panic! You can grab your Shh.Kit, find a pad and take a deep breath.

Each month, before your period actually starts, your body usually drops a few hints. You might notice:

• Feeling extra tired or moody (ugh hormones)
• Slight bloating or your jeans feeling tight 
• Your chest feeling sore or “full”
• Tiny cramps in your lower belly

These are signs that your body is warming up for its new routine. It doesn’t mean your period will start tomorrow - it could still be a few days away. Your body is just saying it's gearing up.

Here’s the thing: no two periods are exactly alike. Some girls get their period every 28 days, others every 35, and some only every few months at first. Your body is still figuring out its rhythm, so it might be a little unpredictable for at the start.

Maybe your period lasts 3 days while your friend’s period lasts for 7. Or maybe you get cramps but she doesn’t. It doesn’t mean anything’s wrong with either of you - it just means your bodies are doing their own thing.

Tip: Keeping track in a journal or an app can help you notice patterns in your period.

Most periods last around 3–7 days but your first one might only hang around for a day or two.

Your first period might be super light or a little spotty. The color can be bright red or even rusty-looking - all are normal. (Darker means it’s older blood and your body is doing cleanup duty.)

You might think you’re bleeding a ton but the average woman only loses about 2–3 tablespoons of blood during her period. (One regular pad could absorb all of that!) So if you think “I’m losing so much blood,” you’re probably not.

Your easiest starter BFF. You just stick one on the inside of your underwear and it catches everything for you. Pads come in different sizes (super thin liners, regular, long and overnight). Most girls start by using pads - they’re simple, comfy and perfect for school or sleep. That's why we’ve included 6 regular (230mm) extra absorbent, super thin pads in your Shh.Kit!

These go inside your body, and they soak up the blood before it leaves. A lot of girls wait until they’re older or feel more ready to try them (and that’s perfectly fine). If you choose to use tampons, start with the smallest size and read the directions carefully. Some girls choose to wear a pantyliner (light pad) with a tampon...just in case!

They look and feel like regular underwear but they have special layers that absorb your flow - no pad needed! Perfect for sleeping or sports!