Puberty doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that brings small but steady changes physically, emotionally, and even socially. One of the biggest milestones your daughter will experience during this time is her first period.
Recognizing the signs your daughter is about to start her period helps you support her without confusion or surprise. It also lets her feel prepared, not anxious, when her body begins menstruating for the first time.
A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that the average age of a girl’s first period is now around 12, slightly younger than in past generations. This shift is influenced by genetics, nutrition, and environment. But regardless of timing, her body gives signals long before the first drop of blood appears.
Below are 15 clear signs of first period that most girls experience in the months, or sometimes weeks, before menstruation begins.
1. Breast Development Becomes Noticeable
The very first sign of puberty is breast development. You might notice small, firm lumps under the nipples called breast buds. They can feel tender or sore, which is normal.
Over time, her breasts grow and round out. This process can take a few years, but it’s a reliable timeline marker, most girls start their first period about two to three years after their breasts begin developing.
When the breasts appear fuller, and she mentions mild soreness or sensitivity, it’s a sign that her hormone levels are increasing. That’s often the body’s way of signaling that menstruation is getting close.
2. Pubic and Underarm Hair Growth
Another visible sign your daughter is about to start her period is the appearance of pubic and underarm hair.
At first, the hair is fine and light. Over time, it becomes thicker and darker. Pubic hair typically appears first, and underarm hair follows within six months to a year.
This change happens because of rising estrogen and androgen levels, which also prepare her reproductive system for menstruation. When both pubic and underarm hair are clearly visible, her first period is likely within a year.
3. Vaginal Discharge Becomes Regular
One of the most reliable signs of first period is the appearance of vaginal discharge.
It may start as a thin, clear fluid that shows up in her underwear. Over time, it becomes creamier or white. This discharge is how the body keeps the vagina clean and healthy.
About six months to a year before her first period, discharge usually becomes more regular. In the weeks leading up to menstruation, it might feel heavier, thicker, or slightly yellowish.
If your daughter mentions that her underwear feels damp more often or that she sees white stains, it’s likely her period is close. Teach her that this is completely normal and not a sign of poor hygiene, it’s her body preparing for the next stage.
4. Sudden Growth Spurt
Your daughter may seem to grow almost overnight. Most girls experience their fastest growth about one to two years before their first period.
During this time, her arms, legs, and feet might grow quickly, and she may need new clothes or shoes more often. This growth spurt is fueled by estrogen and growth hormones that also trigger menstruation.
After her first period, growth continues but slows down. If your daughter recently shot up in height and her shoe size keeps changing, that’s a strong sign her body is nearly ready for menstruation.
5. Widening Hips and Body Shape Changes
As puberty progresses, your daughter’s body starts to look more mature. Her hips widen, her thighs fill out, and her waist becomes more defined.
This change happens because estrogen causes the body to store more fat around the hips and thighs, preparing her for fertility later on.
If she’s mentioning that her clothes fit differently or that her body “feels different,” this shift often means her first period is getting close, possibly within months or even weeks.
6. Acne and Oily Skin
When hormone levels rise, oil glands in the skin become more active. This can lead to oily skin or mild acne, especially around the forehead, chin, and back.
Acne is one of the subtler first period symptoms, but it’s also one of the most common. It signals that puberty hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, are cycling through her system.
Encourage gentle cleansing and remind her that breakouts are normal and temporary. If her skin suddenly becomes oilier than usual, that could mean her first period is coming soon.
7. Emotional Ups and Downs
Hormonal shifts don’t just affect the body, they affect emotions too. You may notice your daughter becoming more sensitive, moody, or easily frustrated.
These mood swings happen because estrogen and progesterone influence brain chemicals that control emotions. They often show up a few months before her first period and may become more noticeable in the week leading up to it.
If she’s crying more easily, feeling self-conscious, or snapping over small things, it’s not just teenage attitude; it’s her hormones adjusting. These emotional signs often appear just before menstruation begins.
8. Bloating and Cramps
Some girls experience stomach bloating or mild cramps even before their first period arrives.
Cramps often feel like dull aches in the lower abdomen or back. They happen because the uterus is starting to contract, something it does during menstruation to shed its lining.
If your daughter mentions her stomach feels “tight” or that she’s having unexplained lower belly pain, her body might be rehearsing for her first period. These sensations usually appear a few days to a week before bleeding starts.
9. Changes in Appetite
Hormonal changes can increase hunger. Your daughter might start eating more frequently or crave specific types of food, especially carbs or sweets.
This appetite shift can come and go but often becomes noticeable a week or two before her first period. Her body is using more energy as hormones fluctuate, which can trigger these cravings.
If she’s suddenly hungrier than usual and pairing it with moodiness or tiredness, it’s one of those subtle signs your first period is coming in a week.
10. Breast Tenderness or Swelling
Tender breasts are one of the clearest first period symptoms.
As estrogen levels rise, her breasts may feel swollen, heavy, or sensitive to touch. This tenderness usually happens in the days before the first period and tends to go away once the period starts.
It’s completely normal, but it can be uncomfortable. A supportive training bra and reassurance that this is a common sign can help her manage it easily.
11. Fatigue or Low Energy
You might notice your daughter feeling more tired than usual or wanting to nap more often. This fatigue can come from the hormonal changes happening inside her body.
Estrogen and progesterone can affect energy levels and sleep quality. The days before the first period, in particular, can make girls feel drained even if they’ve had enough rest.
Encourage regular sleep, hydration, and balanced meals. Fatigue combined with other symptoms like mood swings or cramps often means the first period is close.
12. Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain isn’t limited to adult women. Some girls experience dull aches or soreness in their back as one of the signs your daughter is about to start her period.
This happens because muscles in the lower back and abdomen respond to hormonal changes, tightening slightly before menstruation begins.
If she’s complaining of lower back discomfort for the first time, especially with stomach bloating or cramps, her first period may be just around the corner.
13. Headaches or Light Dizziness
Hormonal fluctuations can also trigger mild headaches or dizziness. Estrogen affects blood vessels and brain chemistry, which can lead to short, random headaches.
If she’s otherwise healthy but experiencing headaches alongside breast tenderness or discharge, it may be one of the last signs before her first period.
Encourage her to drink water and eat regularly, as dehydration or skipping meals can make this symptom worse.
14. Light Brown or Pink Stains in Underwear
This is one of the final and clearest signs your daughter is about to start her period.
You might notice faint brown, pink, or rust-colored stains on her underwear. This discharge is old blood that signals her uterus has started shedding its lining.
Sometimes, these stains appear a few days before the first true flow begins. Other times, they are the first period, it just starts light and irregular. Either way, when this happens, her full period is very close.
15. Family History
Genetics plays a big role in when menstruation begins. Daughters often start their periods around the same age their mothers or older sisters did.
So, if you remember when you first started, use it as a guide, but not a rule. Her lifestyle, diet, and stress levels also influence timing.
If your daughter has already shown several of the physical and emotional signs above, and her family history points to a similar timeline, her first period is likely on the horizon.
Guiding Her Through the Change
Watching your daughter move toward her first period is a mix of pride, curiosity, and maybe a little nostalgia. It’s a reminder that she’s growing, not just physically but emotionally too.
The signs your daughter is about to start her period aren’t just about hormones or body changes. They’re cues that she’s learning to understand herself in new ways. How you respond now shapes how she’ll view her body and womanhood for years to come.
Instead of treating this transition as something awkward or secret, use it as a chance to build trust. Talk openly, answer questions honestly, and remind her that every girl’s timeline is different.