The arrival of the menstrual cycle in the adolescence stage is menarche.

It represents the most significant stages of pubertal maturation.

During the first year after menarche, most times, 75% of your cycle is irregular. In the third year after menarche, 60-80% of adolescents’ cycles last between 21-35 days.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to understand these irregularities and their reasons.

What is Adolescence?

Adolescence represents all psychological and physiological changes due to every woman’s reproductive maturation.

What is Puberty?

Puberty is a natural phenomenon. The appearance, duration, and speed of changes vary from one person to another.

Puberty is a biological development in a teenager’s body.

It is the growing and development phase of the body. During this phase, hormones in the body will release. At this point, the body will allow the reproductive systems to function.

The transformation is the phase of physical and psychological transition. At this stage, the body passes from that of a child to that of a young woman. Henceforth, she will be able to conceive and have children.

At What Age do We See Menstrual Cycle?

Generally, the average age into puberty for girls is between the age of 9 and 16. while for boys is between the age of 9 and 12; in some cases, puberty can start earlier or later than the age range.

This process lasts over six years: 16 years for females and 18 years for males.

Changes the body experiences before The First cycle Arrives

Menstrual Cycle: Physical Changes

1- The Chest

The first changes we see in the body will be the busts.

They will begin to grow and become darker.

The hormones help the mammary glands to develop and the bust to grow.

Afterwards, the areolar glands will change colour. It becomes darker as the nipples enlarge too. This stage can be painful for some girls.

Did you know the breasts are rarely symmetrical? Although the difference is often not noticeable. If you notice one breast is different from the other, don’t worry, it’s normal. Sooner or later, your breasts will harmonize. Accept it as it is.

2- Hair and Puberty

By the age of 15, hair growth becomes a sign of maturity. You will notice the hair grows first in the armpits, legs and then the pubic area.

The hair becomes curly, darker and thicker; it’s visible and covers the entire pubic area.

3- Getting Fat During Puberty

In the first years after the menarche, physical changes will occur.
The ovulatory begins to operate, resulting in different changes happing in the body.

An example is a fat mass in the body.

About 16% before puberty, during menarche, will now be around 24%. A further increase occurs in the first years after the menarche.

The advice is to be careful to only gain weight if you measure your daily intake. Good nutrition and a lot of sports will help the body to thrive.

4- Acne

In adolescence, it is possible to have excess sebum. The pores can clog due to overworking of the sebaceous glands.

So cause the appearance of pimples, creating inconvenience and insecurities.

Here are a few:

• Consult a dermatologist who will prescribe the best treatments.
• If a few extra pounds are present with the acne, best consult a gynaecologist. There may be a pathology called polycystic ovary syndrome.

In general, acne should disappear at the end of adolescence.

5- Menstrual Cycle Common Physical Changes

The sexual organs develop during puberty.

Did you know pubic hair serves to protect the genitals from bacteria? They help keep the body temperature stable in the genital area. They help protect against infections. They state the achievement of sexual maturity and reduce irritation during sex.

Let’s see the main changes:

• In the vagina, the hymen that covers the external opening of the vagina becomes more elastic.

• The labia minora outer lips and labia majora inner lips grow to surround the vulva, the outer part of the genitals.
• Under the effect of hormones, the larynx and vocal cords swell and grow. In females, the voice changes less than in boys.

• The adrenal glands start producing a hormone called weak androgens. This hormone determines the appearance of underarm and pubic hair.

Finally, you will notice a white vaginal discharge called leucorrhoea. These are vicious vaginal secretions.

It helps to clean and humidify the vagina to protect it from bacteria. Generally, these whitish are to announce the coming of the menstrual cycle.