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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

14 and hasn't started periods yet

38 replies

clippityclop · 13/12/2015 22:05

Prompted by another thread on here about early puberty, should I be worried that my daughter hasn't started her periods yet? She's 14 and fit and healthy, pubic and underarm hair all happening along with the odd mood swing.She's slight in build like me, I started when I was 12. Her sister who is taller started a couple of months after her 11th birthday.

OP posts:
slugseatlettuce · 13/12/2015 22:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CointreauVersial · 13/12/2015 22:10

I was 15 when I started. She's still within the normal range.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 13/12/2015 22:11

Perfectly normal. I was 14. On the
Later end of normal but nothing to worry about.

90sforever · 13/12/2015 22:12

I was 15 when I started. I was skinny- many years later I read that you are highly unlikely to start your period if you're below a certain weight which I thought was interesting.

Moving15 · 13/12/2015 22:13

I was 15

Helenluvsrob · 13/12/2015 22:15

Normal. Though v annoying to have a younger, taller more physically mature sister !

Consult the tanner chart I linked on the previous post. Breast development of at least tanner stage 2 iirc for menarche - so proper mature breast shape. Body weight around 7st too, so if she's teeny then she'll be later.

90sforever · 13/12/2015 22:22

That's it, 7st

PrimeDirective · 13/12/2015 22:27

I was 15 and skinny
(and mortified that my younger sister started before me!)

freshmint · 13/12/2015 22:36

I started this thread 3 years ago! My DS eventually started at about 15 1/2. If she has pubes she is getting there, don't worry.

Original poster
clippityclop · 13/12/2015 22:41

Thank you for your replies. She' s completely cool about the whole thing, knows what to expect etc and not remotely concerned about her sister starting first. She thinks she's the lucky one, but is looking forward to getting a present too when it's her turn.

OP posts:
bodenbiscuit · 13/12/2015 22:41

My dd has just turned 14 and she hasn't started yet. I started 2 months after my 14th birthday so I'm expecting it to happen soon. apparently starting later lessens your risk of breast cancer.

WeAllHaveWings · 13/12/2015 22:50

My sister was 4 years younger than me and started at 11. I started 3 years later at nearly 17.

Lucylou333 · 14/12/2015 07:57

My DD was showing no signs at all. Then in literally 2 months she did and became a very different shape in a very short time. Now having stretch mark anger as it all happened so quickly!

Bunbaker · 14/12/2015 08:01

"is looking forward to getting a present too when it's her turn."

A present for starting periods! Oh FGS it is just normal body development.

Since when have starting periods become a "thing"?

I would have been mortified if my mum had made a thing of it and so would DD.

meditrina · 14/12/2015 08:15

"Since when have starting periods become a "thing"?"

Depending on your cultural background, centuries.

PrimeDirective · 14/12/2015 09:27

A present for starting her periods?
What's that about?
I think I missed out on something there! Must go and have words with my mum.

maybebabybee · 14/12/2015 09:36

is looking forward to getting a present too when it's her turn.

bizarre! never heard of that before. like a consolation prize????

LadyHonoriaDedlock · 14/12/2015 10:10

I think it's lovely to give a present when your dd starts her periods. I plan to do the same - some lovely bath treats, chocolate or something.

I started at 14 1/2. Is your dd athletic? I was told it was because I was a runner, but don't know if that's true!

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 14/12/2015 10:17

I was 15 when mine started too. Not a particularly small 15 either!

I think the experts say a "normal" range is between 11 and 16 - but some will be before and some after.

I wouldn't worry yet - it'll happen sooner or later.

Original poster
clippityclop · 14/12/2015 19:44

Oh goodness, not a 'thing' or a big fuss at all. Just a little pair of silver earrings that I knew she'd love. I've got four girls and did the same for the older ones too. Just something thoughtful to celebrate her being on her way to being grown up, it's special. Before 'the talk' at their school I gave each of them a gift bag with a teen pack of sanpro, a couple of little books about growing up which we looked at together and a packet of their favourite goodies. My mum left me to the mercy of Jackie magazine about all that stuff, it was never mentioned almost as though it was something to feel dirty about and I had to fend for myself. I was fine, and my girls are very capable and mature too. I'm sure I wasn't 7 stone when I started, barely 8 now but thank you for your reassurance.

OP posts:
whois · 14/12/2015 20:50

My mum gave me a ring when my periods started. It had been her mums, and her mums before that. I think a little gift like some classic earnings or a bracelet or something is nice to mark the occasion. Rather than it all being about the annoyance and blood and hassle!

I was nearly 15 when I started OP, and so happy I didn't have to deal with that from age 11 or similar.

Longdistance · 14/12/2015 21:00

I was 15 nearly 16 when I started my bastarding periods.
I wouldn't worry too much.

Bunbaker · 14/12/2015 21:17

Sorry, but I think it is really weird to give a present for starting periods.
I just don't think that starting periods is special. It is just a bodily function.

itsmeohlord · 14/12/2015 21:19

I was fifteen when I started , my dd was 14 and 2 months.

Why would anyone get a present for this???? Very odd.

Original poster
clippityclop · 14/12/2015 22:40

We'll have to agree to disagree Bunbaker. Call me old fashioned but I really don't feel that being positive about the approach of womanhood is weird at all. My daughters know they're going through what most women in the world experience each month, that it can be difficult, but one has to get on with it and that the possibility of perhaps having children one day is wonderful and precious thing. They are ordinary, decent, kind, confident, busy kids who drive me nuts but we talk about stuff. When Dd 14 complimented her sister on her earrings the younger one tipped her the wink and said 'I'm nearly a lady!' Far better that than her being ashamed and confused. I'm actually in the throes of the menopause after years of rotten menstrual problems, and they know about that too!

OP posts:
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