GIRLS OnLY!?

Question

I'm 13 will be 14 in less that a month, and weigh a little over 90 lbs. .. all of my friends have started their periods and talk about it all the time.. I am sick of waiting and being left out.. please don't tell me that I don't need to worry about it, becuase I am ready for it to start. Could you give me an estimate for when you think it will, when did yours start?

Answer 1

I know that you are ready, but there is really no way of telling when someone is going to start their period. Considering that you are pretty slim, I'm guess you're probably athletic ... and athletic girls start their cycles later. I was a chubby kid and I started my period when I was 11; my sister is very slim and athletic and she didn't start until she was 16. Gaining weight now won't help you though, because a significant weight gain or loss can disturb your cycle as well.

Trust me when I tell you that you aren't missing out on much. Having your period is not a sign of maturity, its only a sign that your body has changed. The only thing you're being left out of is days of constant bleeding, painful cramps, and not fitting into your jeans for a week because of bloating. Does any of this sound like fun? After you start, you'll be wishing you didn't!

There's nothing that can speed up the process. You'll get your period when your body is ready to start going through that cycle. Until then, just enjoy your time without a monthly inconvenience.

Answer 2

I'm going to answer because of my background in biology and adolescent healthcare. There are a variety of reasons to start menstruation later than expected. In addition every girl will start sooner or later and most will start during middle school, some earlier and some later. This is just human biology. You will start when your body is ready. This doesn't change how you feel about not quite fitting in in your mind, but it is the way it is.

If you want to and can afford it, you can see a gynecologist or your family practitioner for a check up. Just make sure that they know why you want the check up; tell them exactly what you just told us.

If your mom is an educated woman you certainly can start by sharing this concern with her. Of course I'm assuming that you have the kind of mother that will explain things to you and still take you to the doctor if you're still worried. Not everyone is this lucky.

It sounds like you might be a little light for your age (but I don't know how tall you are), so make sure you are eating healthy daily and sleeping well each night.

Answer 3

I started my first period at 12, one of my friends didn't get hers until she was 16, her mother took her to a doctor, because she thought some thing must be wrong, (there was not, she just started late), if it is any help, the older a girl, starts having her periods, the less gyno, problems, later in life, some thing to do with hormone levels. I'm pretty sure you will start within the next 2 to 3 months, and 6 months later you will wish for the days, when you did have to mess with them, but that is the way it is for women. Do you have pubic hair yet? That usually, comes in a bout 6 to 9 months before periods, that is one of the best indicaters of your time frame. Hope this helps

Answer 4

It isn't very common, but girls can be as old as 17 before it starts.

If you look like changes have taken place in the areas on your body associated with physically maturing you could get your first period within the year.

If you just don't show signs (or many of them) that you're maturing physically yet you may not get the period for another year and a half or so.

It can be a good sign that you haven't matured as early as many of the other girls. I'm not a doctor, so I don't want to tell you on here information about the blend of hormones that can affect your physical maturity or that could have been responsible for your brain to be programmed in a certain way as far as reproduction goes; but I can tell you that being late isn't a bad thing.

You may be ready to start, but it will happen when it happens. If any of your friends started at 12 that's on the early side. It is pretty common for girls to start at 13 and a lot of girls start at 14. A few may start at 15 or later.

One thing will probably happen for you: You'll probably be so ready to get it and so glad to get it you may find you become a woman who has a really healthy attitude about it for all your childbearing years. Some people say that a girl's first reaction to her period can be the blueprint for how she feels about it for the rest of her childbearing years. Some girls hate having it.

You will probably be mature enough and glad enough to get it that you'll probably have a very healthy attitude, and you won't be so young that getting it is a big deal. You'll take it in stride.

Just hang in there. It will start. Here's one you've probably heard before, but: If you are a late bloomer you will be a late ager. You will be glad - when you're like 40 - that you have not aged quickly and that you still look young. I know that's a ways down the road, and it may be hard for you to appreciate it right now; but - believe me - you'll be delighted to be a late bloomer one of these days. You may actually find you have about 15/20 years extra (as compared to average bloomers) when it comes to when signs of aging set in; and having an extra 15 or 20 years of youthfulness just may turn out to be well worth being a late bloomer now for.

Answer 5

While girls vary in the ages that they are when they start their periods and when the other signs of puberty occur, the order is fairly consistent. The two things that are most closely tied to the age when a girl starts her periods, that she can readily assess herself are: first real bra and armpit hair. A "real" bra means one with a cup size attached to it, as opposed to small, medium, large distinctions. Armpit hair is self-explanatory. Any amount will do. At this point, a girl will probably start her periods within 3-6 months, if she hasn't already.

It also occurs right after the growth spurt of adolescence. So, if a girl grew, grew, grew, last year and has slowed down (no more than 2.5 inches a year) then periods are right around the corner.

Answer 6

A very general rule is that your period will start around 2 years after your breasts first start to develop, when you first get 'breast buds'. Now that's not a hard and fast rule, but the average.
I understand how you might feel left out when your friends are talking about it. If only you knew how lucky you are that you haven't started it yet.
When I was in high school, we were allowed to say "P" during roll call when it was gym time, so we wouldn't have to take a shower after PE if we were having our period. (I went to an all girls school many years ago!). I didn't have a period for a whole year during 9th grade, and was so ticked off that everyone else would get out of gym a couple times a month, that I started lying and saying P too. So I guess you could lie and say you're having yours, if it will make you feel better. lol
It will come eventually, and I'll bet you'll find yourself cursing it once in awhile when it does!! :)

Answer 7

Honey, only time will tell when you will get it. There is nothing you can do to speed up the process. Some girls get it at 10, while others dont get it till they are 16. Everybody has an internal clock and everyone is different. I know it sucks. Everyone around you is growing boobs and bleeding and you feel left out. If you just be patient Im sure you'll get a pair of D cups & start your period shortly.

Answer 8

Everyones' systems are different. It all comes down to genetics. There is nothing you can do to make it come sooner. If you are a very active girl in sports, that can have an effect on it. Some people start at 10, I started at 15. But trust me, once you get it, you'll wish you could get rid of it. So just be patient, but be ready, it could be any day now.

Answer 9

Mine started when I was about 12, but, my aunt started hers at 9!!! There are many factors that can affect this: for instance if you are an athlete. Most athletic girls don't start their periods until later, my friend ran track, and hers didn't start until she was 17. If you're very concerned talk to your mom about it, and maybe she can make an appointment for you to see your doctor. Don't worry, once you get it, you'll have 40 years or more to marvel over it!!

Answer 10

It will come when it is ready. Having your period sucks anyway, all you are missing out on is cramps and mood swings. I would guess that you will get it soon (with in the next year) I don't think to many girls start getting it later then that.
Ps: you might to talk to your doc about your weight. Unless you are very short you are probably to thin. That will have an effect on your period.

good luck