Video
Boy 1: Aunty Ruby’s Visiting
Boy 2: Ughhh
Boy 1: When my girlfriend’s angry
Kent Riley: Painters are in.
Boy 1: Arsenal are playing home
Hollie-Jay Bowes: I say ‘lady wee’ because that’s a nice term.
Boy 3: You’ve got loads of these haven’t you – i haven’t got any.
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Dr Dawn: Periods can be inconvenient, but it’s your body’s way of telling you you’re blossoming into a young woman.
They are certainly nothing to be embarrassed about.
Every month our body releases an egg into the womb.
If the egg isn’t fertilised by sperm, the egg and the soft lining of the womb sheds – this is your period.
The average age a girl starts her period is 12-and-a-half, but you could start as early as 8 or as late as your late teens.
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Girl 1: Everyone does dread it and i was dreading it. It happened in school but my really good friends were there so it was fine. And i’ve completely got used to it now and it’s not a problem at all.
Girl 2: If i told my mum when i started i wouldn’t have been worried or half as worried as i was.
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Dr Dawn: At first periods can be quite unpredictable, but they will settle down.
And every girl is different – you may bleed for just 3 days, but your friend’s period may last twice as long!
BOTH are normal.
You’ll get a period about once a month – usually around every 28 days – but anything from 22 to 35 days is regarded as normal.
If you make a note when you start each period, then you can work out your cycle and will know when you are due.
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Girl 2: During their periods i think girls worry most about it coming through or people seeing.
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Dr Dawn: When you have a period you’ll need to buy sanitary protection.
And there are lots of products available.
Some girls start with towels and stick with them, whilst others move on to tampons.
Neither is better than the other – it’s about finding what’s comfortable for you.
When trying a tampon for the first time, use a small size and try to relax – the more tense you are, the more difficult inserting a tampon can be.
If you do use tampons change them every four to eight hours.
Choose the right absorbency for your flow.
Always use clean hands.
And remember to remove them.
A tampon left in the vagina for too long, can cause bacteria to grow, and lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome and although very rare this can be extremely serious.
There’s lots of nonsense surrounding periods, so let me put the record straight.
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Girl 1: I estimate that girls would lose about a few good cups of blood during their period.
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Dr Dawn: It may seem like you are losing a lot of blood but in fact average blood loss is only about 16 teaspoons.
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Girl 2: When i was on my period i didn’t like going to sports and i never went swimming.
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Dr Dawn: Periods won’t stop you playing sport or going for a swim. No-one can tell when you have one. And no a tampon cannot disappear inside you.
Your first few periods probably won’t cause you much bother and you may even wonder what all the fuss is about but some girls find their periods get heavier and possibly more painful 6 months to a year after they start.
If you suffer with painful periods try simple painkillers like paracetamol and use a hot water bottle on your lower tummy.
Supplements of vitamin B1 or vitamin E may also help
Just before a period you may feel bloated, your breasts may feel tender and you can feel quite emotional. These are just some of the symptoms known as Premenstrual Syndrome.
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Girl 2: On my period my emotions are just a mixture i can’t control any of them. They’re all over their place.
Yeah i’m not a very good girlfriend at the time of my period
Hollie-Jay Bowes: I think i blame my moods on my period. I go ‘oh sorry i’m in a mood i’m on my period’ – it’s not, i’m just in a mood!
Girl 3: Just before my period i do get a bit emotional a bit upset but i think that it changes for each woman.
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Dr Dawn: For most of us the symptoms are just an
irritation but if they are making your life a misery, talk to your GP about it. There are lots of treatments available
Am I Normal: Periods
Dr Dawn Harper discusses all matters relating to periods and looks at what is and isn’t normal. Each video looks at different people’s experiences growing up, including the cast of Hollyoaks.
If you’d prefer to watch this video on your mobile, then download our specially produced version for your mobile phone from the Channel 4 Mobile site.
Just text Normal to 84444
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With thanks to:
Hollyoaks
University of Birmingham Hockey Club
Llanelli Youth Theatre
Tetbury Hospital
Yes
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I was anorexic for 2 years, but I've been in recovery for 1. I have been a healthy weight for 9 months but I still havn't got my period! I'm nearly 16 and I really want to get my periods back (I had my first one aged 13, only twice) - will they come back? And is there anything I can do to increase my chances of this? Thanks
I am 21 years old and I started my period when I was 11 years old. But my periods have been very irregular. I can go for about six months without a period, but when it does finally come on its does not wanna go off. I don't know what's wrong with me!
I am 19 and I started my periods about 5 years ago. Is it normal for them to still be irregular, I can go between 2 weeks or 3 months apart. It does worry me.
Hello, I am 15 and a half years old. I have not started my period yet. All my friends have started and I am begining to get worried. What should i do?
dont worry i started when i was 16 years old and i where really worried its just everyones bodys different your bodys still producing and may take time dont worry and it isnt all thats anyways id rather not have a period
Hey im 16 and started my period when i was 10, they are usually regular and normal and last around 3 days! but recently i have crippling period pains that stop me doing everything, and also i have had serve nausea on every morning of my period, is this normal any advice would be appreciated!
I'm 15 and still haven't had my period! My friends say I should have it by now! Should I be worried?
Hello Hallie Firstly I would like to say I know how you feel you have no need to worry, I was in 15 once I first started my period. Some people start off very earlier some people start late. No need to panic it will come when you least expect it. :) From Tania, 19
I'm 13 I started my period when I was 11! Its always been light and it still is. But one month I had 2 periods and the next month I had no period. And sometimes my period changes. I hope this period will stay consistent!but it is light!
i am 16 in june and i had my first period in august 2009 but my cycle still isnt regular, i dont know whether somethings wrong or if this is normal or not? (i was just worried cause its been nearly 3 years) help!!!
your body can take years to get in to a regular cycle , its nothing to worry about , 1 thing that can help u regulate ur period is to take the contraceptive pill weather ur sexually active or not obvs aslong as u take it properly , speak to your mom im sure she can advise x
Im 13 and I missed my period this month and also sometimes I get brown discharge but its not dried blood, please help!
go see a doctor, it's probably nothing too serious, but it's worth while checking.
I'm 17 and have masturbated myself.I am now late with my period and wanted to know if this could have had an effect on my period?