I am scared because I for the past few months I have been having white discharges in my underwear which I have been told was completely normal for a 13-year-old. But for the past few weeks now I have been finding a thick dark brown discharge. I wasn't sure if that was healthy or not but I just kept ignoring it. And then two days ago I wiped my private area and found a few traces of blood. I was pretty surprised because I was expecting to have my first period mess up my underwear but it didn't. I wore a pad just in case but for the past few days, I had absolutely no discharge at all. Now I am confused because I don't think it was my period since I had no cramps at all and I didn't have any more blood since I only found a small amount of blood when I wiped. But know I need to find out if its a health problem. I want to know what is happening or if these are signs of something.
- Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
It's really great that you're paying attention to your body and asking questions about changes you're noticing. What you're describing sounds like it could be the beginning of your menstrual cycle, which is a normal and healthy part of growing up.
Here's a bit of information that might help you understand what's happening:
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White Discharge: The white discharge you mentioned is normal. It's called vaginal discharge, and it's the body's way of cleaning and protecting the vagina. This discharge can start a few months to a year before your first period.
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Brown Discharge: The thick, dark brown discharge is also common. This can happen right before or after a period. The brown color is usually just older blood that takes a little longer to leave the uterus.
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First Periods: The first few periods can be very light and irregular. They might not even seem like a "real" period, with only a little bit of blood or spotting. It's also normal to not have cramps with your periods, especially in the beginning.
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Variations in Menstrual Cycles: Every person's body is different, and menstrual cycles can vary a lot, especially in the first few years. You might have a period and then not have another one for several months, or you might have irregular bleeding.
Since this is all new to you, it's totally understandable to feel confused or concerned. If you have any worries, it's a good idea to talk to a trusted adult, like a parent or guardian. Remember, these changes are a normal part of growing up, and it's great that you're learning to listen to your body.