Education Hub
What is a healthy period?
The basics, explained simply.
This section is designed for young people and their families. Everyone's body and experience with periods is different — if anything here feels confusing or you want to talk it through, a trusted adult, parent, school nurse, or healthcare provider is always a great person to ask.
Healthy Periods 101
The basics
What is a period?
A period is when the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. It's a normal part of the menstrual cycle, which usually repeats every 21–35 days.
When does it start?
Most people get their first period between ages 9 and 16. It's totally normal for cycles to be irregular for the first year or two.
What's normal vs. not?
Periods lasting 3–7 days with light-to-moderate flow are typical. Severe pain, very heavy bleeding, or periods lasting longer than a week are worth discussing with a doctor.
The menstrual cycle
The 4 phases of your cycle
A “cycle” is the full journey from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. The average cycle is 28 days — but anywhere from 21 to 35 days is considered normal. Here’s what’s happening in your body throughout those days.
Your period — the uterine lining sheds. Flow is typically heaviest in the first 1–2 days, then lightens. You may feel more tired than usual; this is your body doing real work.
Overlapping with menstruation, your body begins preparing a new egg. Estrogen rises, which often brings a boost in energy and mood in the days after your period ends.
A mature egg is released. Some people notice a slight twinge of pain on one side (called mittelschmerz), a small rise in body temperature, or clearer discharge around this time.
Progesterone rises to prepare the uterine lining. If no pregnancy occurs, both hormones drop and your next period begins. PMS symptoms — bloating, mood changes, cravings — often appear in this phase.
Know the signs
When to talk to a doctor
Most period symptoms are completely normal — but some signs are worth bringing up with a healthcare provider. You deserve to feel supported, not just pushed through it.
- !Periods that last longer than 7 days consistently
- !Bleeding so heavy you soak through a pad or tampon in under an hour
- !Severe cramps that stop you from going to school or daily activities
- !No period by age 15, or periods that stop for 3+ months without pregnancy
- !Spotting or bleeding between periods frequently
- !Periods that are extremely irregular after the first 2 years
Free or low-cost care: In Los Angeles, Planned Parenthood and AltaMed Health Services offer sliding-scale reproductive health visits. You can also call 211 to find a community health center near you.
Stay prepared
Tracking your cycle
Knowing your cycle helps you stay prepared and notice patterns. You don’t need an app — a simple calendar works just as well.
Mark day 1
Circle or note the first day your period starts each month. That’s day 1 of your cycle.
Note your flow
Write light, medium, or heavy each day. This helps you spot patterns and stock the right products.
Log symptoms
Cramps, mood, energy, and cravings are all useful data — especially if you ever need to describe them to a doctor.
Count your cycle length
From day 1 of one period to day 1 of the next. After 3–4 months, you’ll start to see your personal rhythm.