1. Health

Getting Your First Period

Things To Know About Your Menstrual Cycle

From , former About.com Guide

Updated June 07, 2010

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Group Menstruation

I'm a college student and I've found that although my roommates and I were all on different menstrual schedules, now we bleed as a team. Why is this? --About Women's Health Forums

Odorless chemical signals given off by women called pheromones can change a woman's menstrual cycle so that women in group settings often menstruate during the same time.

Join this discussion!

Abnormal Periods

My periods have usually been on time and of a normal length, but sometimes the blood is very thick and gooey. I never really worried to much until this month when my period lasted 16 days. I have never been to a gynecologist and am wondering if I should go, if this may be something to worry about. Is thick and gooey blood normal? How about the long period? I am only 18 years old. --About Women's Health Forums

First you need to see a gynecologist for a Pap smear and pelvic exam. All women, whether sexually active or not, need to begin annual GYN exams at the age of 18. Women under 18 who are sexually active should also begin GYN visits as soon as they become sexually active. There's no way to tell online whether the consistency of your menstrual blood is normal. You should also be sure to discuss the length of your period when you see your doctor and let him determine if your bleeding is abnormal. Contact your physician anytime you experience abnormal periods.

Join this discussion!

Share The Story Of Your First Period

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.