A female’s first menstrual period, known as menarche, occurs during puberty. Menstruation indicates that the body is mature enough for reproduction. About 98% of girls begin their periods by age 15.

More than 65 percent of women ages 15 to 49 in the United States use some form of birth control, and many of them are on hormonal birth control methods like the pill, patch, ring, implant, injections, ...

Getting your first period can come with a lot of conflicting feelings, from confusion and fear to excitement or relief. Knowing what to expect — as much as is possible — is one thing that can make ...