The DAME Guide to Your Period

August 01, 2025By Alec Mills

What they are, what to expect, and how to have them your own way

First things first

You’re not broken. You’re not weird. You’re not alone.

Your body is changing in big, brilliant ways - and getting your first period is one of them. This guide is here to help you understand what’s going on, answer all the questions you didn’t know you were allowed to ask, and give you real, honest info about your options.

There’s no one way to “do” periods - they look different for everyone. But whatever yours ends up looking like, we want you to feel confident, comfortable, and totally in charge.

Let’s get into it.

A note from DAME founders

We started DAME because we were fed up with the way periods were experienced. The products were plastic, workplaces weren’t catered for them, and there were too many nasty chemicals. That never sat right with us. So we set out to make period care better. More sustainable, yes - but also more honest, more human, and more empowering.

This guide is for you. For every girl, non-binary teen, or young person with a uterus who’s about to go through something that should be normal - but doesn’t always feel it. We want you to know: you’ve got this. And we’ve got you.

Celia & Alec
Co-founders, DAME

For parents, carers, and grown-ups

Hey there. If you’re helping a teen navigate their first period, thank you. That support means more than you might realise.

This guide is designed to be read by young people - but you’re part of this journey too. Whether you’ve had periods yourself or not, this can still feel like unfamiliar ground. That’s OK. You don’t have to have all the answers - just being open, kind, and willing to listen goes a long way.

We’ve made sure this guide is practical, inclusive, and judgement-free. So if you’re ever stuck, don’t worry - point your teen back here. We’ve got them (and you) covered.

What is a period and why does it happen?

Let’s start with the basics. A period is when a small amount of blood and tissue leaves your body through your vagina. It usually happens once a month, and it’s a totally natural part of your body’s way of preparing for pregnancy (even if that’s the last thing on your mind).

Here’s what’s going on:

Every month, your uterus (the stretchy, muscular space where a baby would grow) builds up a soft lining, just in case it needs to support a pregnancy.
If you don’t get pregnant (which, for most teens, you won’t), your body clears out that lining - and that’s your period.
This happens on repeat, roughly every 21–35 days, and it’s all linked to your hormones (those messengers in your body that tell it what to do).

Your period is a sign that your reproductive system is working as it should. But it doesn’t mean you’re “grown up” or that you have to feel a certain way about it. You get to decide what it means to you.

When will I get my first period?

Most people get their first period between the ages of 9 and 15. But there’s no set age, and no right or wrong time. Some people develop earlier, some later - it’s all normal.

Your body usually gives you a few clues first:

Your breasts start to grow
You notice hair under your arms and around your vulva
You get white or yellowish discharge in your pants - this is your vagina’s way of keeping itself clean (and it’s a sign your first period might be on the way)

If you’re not sure whether something you’re seeing is normal, talk to someone you trust - a parent, carer, older sibling, or school nurse. Or just keep reading.

What will it feel like?

Your first period might be super light - just a bit of spotting. Or it might feel like a normal flow straight away. Either way is fine.

You might also feel:

Crampy (like a dull ache in your tummy or lower back)
Tired
A bit more emotional or irritable (thanks, hormones)
Totally fine! Some people barely notice their periods at all

The main thing to know? However it starts, it’ll change over time. Most periods last between 3–7 days and come roughly once a month, but irregular cycles are completely normal in the first couple of years.

Next up: let’s talk about products.

Which period products should I use?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer - the right product is the one that feels right for you. You might try a few before finding your go-to, and that’s completely normal.

Here are your options:

🩸 Pads

These stick to your underwear and soak up the blood outside your body.

Easy to use - great for your first period
Come in different absorbencies and sizes
Change every 4–6 hours
Never flush - bin it, always

You can get disposable ones or soft reusable cloth pads (which you wash after use). Both work. Your choice. But we advise to stick to organic toxin-free cotton.

🔁 Period pants

These look like normal knickers, but have built-in layers that absorb your period.

No extra products needed
Great for school, sport, and sleeping
Rinse, then wash and reuse
Last for years if cared for properly

They feel a bit like magic - and lots of people never go back. You can see our Teen Range here.

🌿 Tampons

These go inside your vagina and absorb blood before it leaves your body. We recommend organic cotton tampons for their toxin-free comfort.

Come with or without applicators
Great for swimming and sports
Can take a few tries to get the hang of it - and that’s OK
Always choose the lowest absorbency for your flow

Important: tampons come with a small risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious condition. Use them safely: change every 4–6 hours, never leave in longer than 8 hours, and read the leaflet inside.

🧪 Menstrual cups

These are small, flexible cups made from medical-grade silicone. You fold them, insert them, and they collect blood inside your body.

Reusable and low-waste
Can be worn for up to 8 hours
Need a bit of confidence to use at first

Some people love them - some wait until they’re older. You do you.

How to deal with cramps, leaks and on-the-spot moments

Periods aren’t always smooth sailing - and that’s OK. Here’s how to handle some of the common (and not-so-fun) stuff that comes with them:

😖 Cramps

Cramps feel like a dull ache or sharp twinge in your lower tummy or back. They’re caused by your uterus tightening to push the lining out.

What helps:

A hot water bottle or heat pad
Gentle stretching or walking
Drinking water and cutting back on caffeine (sorry, iced lattes)
Over-the-counter pain relief, if needed (check with a grown-up first)

If your cramps are stopping you from going to school or doing normal things, talk to your GP - you don’t have to suffer in silence.

😬 Leaks

They happen to everyone - even adults. Here’s how to stay covered:

Bring a spare pair of pants and pads to school (a small pouch is perfect)
Change products regularly
Wear dark bottoms if you’re feeling unsure

If a leak happens? Laugh it off, fix it, and move on. It’s not the end of the world - and it doesn’t make you gross.

😳 Those moments

Like asking to go to the loo in class, or carrying a tampon in your pocket. These moments feel way bigger than they are.

You don’t have to explain - just say you need the toilet
Wrap your products in tissue if you’re shy
Know that half your class will be going through this too - they just might not say it

Your period shouldn’t stop you from living your life. And the more we talk about it, the less awkward it gets for everyone.

What’s normal, what’s not, and when to ask for help

Periods are different for everyone. What’s normal for your best friend might be totally different from what’s normal for you - and that’s OK. But here are a few things to watch out for.

✅ Totally normal:

Your period is irregular at first - sometimes early, sometimes late
Your flow changes - light one month, heavier the next
You get cramps, mood swings, or sore boobs before or during your period
You leak sometimes - it happens to everyone

⚠️ Worth chatting to someone about:

You haven’t started your period by age 16
You get your period more than once every 3 weeks, or less than every 6–8 weeks
Your period lasts longer than 7 days
Your cramps are so painful you can’t go to school or do normal things
You’re bleeding through pads/tampons every 1–2 hours

None of these mean something is definitely wrong - but they’re good reasons to check in with a doctor. Your GP, school nurse, or a local health clinic can help.

And if you ever feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure - talk to someone you trust. A parent, teacher, or friend. You’re never alone in this.

Looking after the planet while looking after yourself

Let’s be honest - most mainstream period products aren’t great for the planet. The average disposable pad contains around 90% plastic, and it takes over 500 years to break down. That’s older than your great-great-great-great grandma.

But the good news? You’ve got options.

Choosing reusable or low-impact period products - like period pants, reusable pads, tampons without plastic applicators, or menstrual cups - can cut down on waste and save you money over time.

What you can do:

Switch to reusable options if and when you’re ready
Use tampons with cardboard or reusable applicators
Never flush pads or tampons - always bin them
Talk about it - your choices help normalise sustainable periods for others too

You don’t have to be perfect. Even one change can make a difference. Your period, your rules - just with a little less plastic.

Final word

Your period is yours. You get to decide how you feel about it, what you use, and who you talk to. It doesn’t make you less capable, less clean, or less powerful.

If anything, it’s a reminder of how incredible your body is - and how much more confident, connected and curious you’ll become over time.

Periods are normal. Talking about them should be too.

Now go be brilliant.

Need more support? Simply 💬 open the chat in the corner of our site and you'll get lots of info and support from our trained AI or our team.

You've got this. 💪