I've been having mood swings and my tummy feels weird

Mood swings and a weird tummy feeling could totally be signs that your period is coming or that you're going through puberty changes. Lots of things happen in your body when you're getting ready for your first period.

Your tummy might feel weird because of something called premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. It can cause all sorts of feelings like bloating, cramps, or just an upset stomach. And those mood swings? Hormones are literally going wild to prep your body for your period, and sometimes that makes you feel super happy one minute and kinda grumpy or sad the next. It’s pretty normal, so you're definitely not alone.

What it might feel like

• Bloated, like your tummy is full of air
• Light cramps, like a dull ache
• Feeling a bit sick to your stomach

These feelings usually show up a few days or a week before your period starts and then go away once it arrives. It's your body just doing its thing and getting ready.

If you're curious about other signs your period might be close, there's a super quick quiz on this site that helps you figure it out: how close is my first period?