Worried

[Hahahuu]

i am 14 and i havent had my period and i am worried because everone puts pressure on me that i didnt get it , all my frinds have had theirs and i am just worried. I dont feel very comfortable talking with my mother or friends



Can you help?

[Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.]

    Periods vary a lot - so while some girls get their period as early as ten or eleven, others may not until the are fifteen or sixteen.  It could also have something to do with body weight. If you are very very think, this will affect your ability to menstruate. You need to have a certain weight in order to have a period, although the specific weight depending on height and body type.

    There are however, some medical conditions that could delay or stop your period and I really think you should get a physical check up to make sure everything is fine. It probably is- but this way you would know for sure! You can ask your mom or dad to take you to see a doctor or if that makes you feel too uncomfortable , go to the local public health hospital where they may take patients who cannot pay for themselves and give them an examination.  It would be good, though, if you could, to go to your family doctor who knows you.  This person will have a better idea about if you are maturing correctly for your body weight and over all physical development.

     In the meantime, tell your friends to stop teasing- it's not funny and you don't like. it. Kids often tease each other on anything that is different about one of them ( or they just use any material they can get their hands on). You don't have to take it- you can tell them this bothers you and to cut it out. If they are really  your friends, they will.

       Its not important to your body if you period comes a little later rather than earlier. Don't stress out. You are most likely 100% normal. Do see a doctor though, just to see if anything particularly interesting is going on.!

[bookerswife]

People are cruel, especially kids! There is nothing you can do about it and let them know to quit teasing you! It will come! Keep your head up and don't let these kids get to you! If you let them know that it is an issue for you then they will keep teasing you! Good Luck!

[ErikaS]

Don't feel bad. I didn't get my first period until I was 15 and then it stopped and didn't get one again until I was 17.

Then again, I was very involved in sports and dance so that may have had something to do with it.

Everyone's body develops at a different pace.

[lmroswell]

I didn't get my period until I was 14, and that was after all my friends of equal age had already gotten it, and my younger sister, who was a bigger individual than I.  I was a little on the athletic side, and thin.  Don't worry so much, you will most likely be fine and get your period in due time.  Once you do get it, you'll wonder why you wanted it so much to begin with!  I am now approaching my mid forties and can't wait for the day when I don't get it anymore.  I felt the same way as you.  It will come.

[islandprincess]

girl don't worry about it...i was a late bloomer myself i got mine at 13....& i never cared to see it b/cuz i hate blood...it'll come when you least expect it, tell the kids at school to mind their bees wax....everybody develops at their own pace....smile & be happy that doesn't mean you're not a young lady...:)

[AMA17]

Hey -- I didn't get mine until I was 16!! I was a dancer & it stunted my growth & development -- about a year after I quit I got it & I grew about 4 inches!



I understand the pressue, but i would just avoid the topic, change the conversation to something else..



It's great you get a few extra years period-free because it's such a nuisance!



Good luck