---
title: What is normal for a girl's first period and early menstruation?
description: The average age for the first period is 12.8 years. Early periods are often irregular and can take a year or more to settle into a regular pattern.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstruation-in-schoolgirls-1-the-normal-menarche-2000/
---

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- What is normal for a girl's first period and early menstruation?

Study, 2000

# What is normal for a girl's first period and early menstruation?

The average age for the first period is 12.8 years. Early periods are often irregular and can take a year or more to settle into a regular pattern.

 Early or limited evidence

Schoolgirls starting menstruation

## What they did

This describes what normally happens when girls start menstruating, including information about the age this typically occurs, how periods change in the first years, and the role schools and nurses play in supporting girls during this time.

## What they found

The average age for a girl's first period is 12.8 years. Early periods often vary greatly in timing and blood loss, and can take a year or more to become regular. Some girls experience painful periods, which can range from mild to severe. PMS is less common in schoolgirls. Schools teach girls about puberty and menstruation, and school nurses play an important role in supporting girls during this time.

## What it means for you

Understanding what is normal when girls start menstruating helps them feel more prepared and know when to talk to a doctor. Irregular periods and some pain are common and often settle down on their own. Girls should learn about hygiene, especially if using tampons. This is informational material, not a study testing a treatment.

12.8 years

Average age for first period

## About the study

Original title Menstruation in schoolgirls--1: The normal menarche Authors Gilbert P Journal Professional care of mother and child Year 2000 Study design Study What was tested None. This is educational information. Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11040763/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11040763/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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