First periods and perimenopause: life stage guides

Periods change most at the start and towards the end. These guides cover what to expect and which changes are worth checking.

Three ribbon loops, small, fuller and wide, shifting from coral to lilac to sage.

5 min read First period: a guide for teens and families What to expect from your first period, how a parent or carer can help, and when to see a GP or get urgent medical advice.
4 min read No period yet: when a first period is late When to ask about a first period that hasn’t come, why the ages for a check differ, and what a puberty check may involve.
5 min read Perimenopause periods: changes and care How periods can change in perimenopause, which bleeding to get checked, when you still need contraception, and how to get support.
4 min read Puberty: what changes and when Breast buds, growth, discharge and changing skin. What can happen before a first period, and when to ask for help. Breast buds can feel tender and grow slowly.

Written by the Ruva team from the sources listed in each guide. They aren’t medical advice. If you’re worried about a symptom, talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.