dd14 still no periods?

[craggyhollow]

I started at 13

She's now 14 and no sign - breasts growing a bit although no need for a bra, spotty, very occasionally moody

Normal?

[Abra1d]

My daughter didn't start hers until she was 15 and three months.

It seems that there were quite a few late starters on my husband's side of the family.

[wol1968]

Periods can start any time between 9 and 17 years of age, with the average being about 12-13 in Western countries. My SIL didn't start till she was 14, largely due (they think) to an extremely active lifestyle (she used to be a dancer). Thinner girls often start later, due to lower levels of hormones. I don't think there's anything to worry about but if she hasn't started by 16 a check with the GP may be advisable to rule out any hormone imbalance. It sounds like your DD may be very nearly there, with the spots, breast development etc. I give it six months to a year at most.

[CuttedUpPear]

I started at 15 (last in my class)
I was quite skinny with zero boobage.

[Rosencrantz]

Under 16 is fine. If she's not started by then, trip to the GP. DD sounds perfectly normal.

[Claybury]

I had same thoughts for my DD and my gynaecologist said provided there are some signs of puberty it's usually ok.
I also learnt that you start menstruating when you are nearly fully grown so taller girls start later, as they have to do their growing first IYSWIM
Is your DD (getting )tallish ?

[winkywinkola]

I was 17. Tall and skinny. I was worried sick about it but 2 days after my 17th birthday, it arrived.

I wouldn't worry until she's 17 and be happy she still has the freedom from the ghastly monthly mess.

[BackforGood]

Yes, very normal.
dd had a couple while she was 14, but still (at 15 and 1/2) not had a lot.
I'd be delighted, tbh. I feel sorry for the poor little girls who start in Junior school.

[craggyhollow]

Thanks all. She's tall and very sporty so it all makes sense.

[Shakey1500]

I was 17. 5ft1 and slender. Couldn't wait for them to start and now I can't wait for them to end

[GRW]

I started mine at just turned 11, and my DD didn't start until 14 and six months.

[rach2713]

I started mine when I was 14 I had to go to hospital abd get a few tests done as I have had asthma since I was born and been on a lot of steroids for it cuz it was so bad and got told my body was actually 2 years behind but would catch up in time I'm very skinny aswell

[lljkk]

There are health benefits of starting later, don't worry.

[craggyhollow]

really? what benefits

she's in no hurry she's in complete denial about the whole thing

[flowerpowergirl]

Completely normal. I started the day before my 17th birthday. Don't worry - rejoice in her luck I putting it off !

[craggyhollow]

yy

thank you

[winkywinkola]

Aren't there health benefits to having fewer periods over a lifetime? I though that was why the pill reduced the risk of some cancers because there are fewer of those hormones each month?

Have I got wrong end of stick?

Anyway just having fewer periods period is a blessing!

[OhSoVintage]

My DD is 14 1/2 and still not started.
She has become very hormonal and the hormonal moods seem to be in a cycle, she's also started developing so I'm not worried I think it will be soon (Ive been saying that for the last year :) )

She is very skinny so I think that might be a factor.

[Enb76]

I didn't start til I was 15, was tall, skinny and athletic. Everyone else had started.

[lljkk]

Not an expert, but as well as I can understand:
Fewer periods in life or later menarche means reduced risk of cancers. Every time you ovulate the egg bursts out of the ovary causes physical damage; the other hormonal changes accumulate to cause micro-cellular damage that increases cancer risks in breast tissue, too (maybe also in the cervix??).

Studies done on hunter-gatherer societies indicate that biologically, if we were pregnant 5-8 times, each time breastfeeding to 2-4 yrs and on a diet which looks calorie limited by modern standards, we'd probably only have about 100 periods in a lifetime, compared to 300-400 as is typical for modern westerners.

The younger you are when you get a break from periods (younger have a child), this also reduces those breast-ovarian risks.

Ovarian link here.

Breast link here.