When our girls first get their period, it’s not unusual for them to experience spotting in between periods. This can cause confusion and they think their period has returned so soon.
During the teen years, it’s normal for a girls cycle to range from 21 to 45 days. If there is any bleeding less than that time, or lighter bleeding during that time, they could be spotting, rather than a period. It’s important to note that spotting is not considered your period and that we teach them the difference. When they are tracking their period, spotting should not be counted as the beginning of menstruation.
Let’s look at why spotting might be occuring, and then how to “spot” the difference.
For the first few years of menstruation our brains are still working out how to communicate with our ovaries. Because of this we may ovulate in only 50% of these cycles. As ovulation is the point in our cycle where we make progesterone, if we are not ovulating, we are not making progesterone. Progesterone keeps your uterine lining intact until your period comes. If your progesterone levels are too low, you might start to spot after ovulation, or around that time if your body has not yet started ovulating each cycle. This can also be the reason why we experience spotting in the few days leading up to our period.
So, how do we know if we have our period or we are spotting? We can determine the difference by looking at the following
Flow
- Period: A normal period will have between 30-80ml of blood. Using 3-6 pads per day
- Spotting: Much less flow with only minimal absorption required, perhaps only one pad or panty liner
Duration
- Period: Flow lasts for 3-7 days
- Spotting: May occur for only 1-2 days and not be heavy
Pattern
- Period: Will come in a cycle between 21-45 days in the first few years of her period. As it becomes more regular will be a cycle from 24-32 days
- Spotting: No pattern, can appear at any stage, but typically may come around ovulation or premenstrually
Colour
- Period: Usually bright or dark red
- Spotting: Can be light pink, dark brown or red
Symptoms
- Period: Often accompanied with the onset of common symptoms such as cramps, tender breasts or food cravings
- Spotting: Generally no other symptoms
If you’re daughter seems to be getting her period more often than normal, it could be that she is in fact spotting. Using these notes you can help her recognise the difference.
To prepare your daughter for any instances of spotting, it is always a good idea to have her prepared with products. I recommend having a period pack with her at all times. I have some ideas for you here: HOW TO CREATE A FIRST PERIOD PACK FOR YOUR CHILD
Some of my favourite sustainable products to have on hand include: