During a girl's first menstrual period, the bleeding may be irregular or abnormal. This is common, and usually the bleeding lasts for a varying number of days. Although bleeding during the first period is not the textbook "three to seven days," it will become more regular over time.
What is Menstruation?
A normal menstrual cycle, according to Merck Manuals, can last anywhere from 25 to 36 days with three to seven days of bleeding. During this cycle, the pituitary gland secretes two hormones called luteinizing -- LH -- and follicle-stimulating -- FSH. These hormones send signals to the uterus and ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone, which work together to control the menstrual cycle. Midway through the menstrual cycle, the hormones estrogen and progesterone peak, causing a follicle within one of the ovaries to burst and release an egg in a process called ovulation. If there are any disruptions in the balance of luteinizing, follicle-stimulating hormone, estrogen or progesterone, bleeding may be heavier or lighter than usual, and cycles will be longer or shorter than normal. It can even cause a disruption in ovulation and aggravate other health conditions.
What is Menarche?
The first menstrual cycle a woman has called menarche. Menarche may be nothing more than a blood stain in the underwear or light bleeding, which can be pink, red or brown. Although the bleeding may be light, it may be enough to still stain clothes, so for this reason, girls can wear sanitary pads or tampons to catch the blood. This bleeding will become heavier over time, and may take several years to do so. Menarche usually occurs when a girl is around 13 years old, according to Merck Manuals.
What is Abnormal Bleeding?
Abnormal bleeding can be bleeding that is heavier or lighter than usual, bleeding that is shorter or longer than usual, bleeding that is scanty, spotty or prolonged or bleeding that is accompanied with large red gelatinous masses called blood clots. Abnormal bleeding can also be bleeding that occurs outside a regular menstrual cycle.
Causes of Abnormal Bleeding
Usually in menarche, the bleeding is light and more scanty than that of a woman who has had a menstrual cycle for years. This bleeding is lighter than a normal period due to the hormones regulating themselves in puberty. This regulating may go on for years before menstrual bleeding becomes "regular." Another cause for abnormal bleeding in menstruation is due to reproductive diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which causes enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts and the use of birth control pills.
Considerations
Take note of how often the bleeding occurs and the additional symptoms that accompany the bleeding. As soon as menstruation begins, a girl should be seen by a gynecologist to make sure there are no other reasons for the abnormal bleeding.
