No periods at almost 16?

[Balaur]

My dd is almost 16 with no periods. She is very slim and always has been (in 2nd centile). She has some breast development and says she has some body hair. My DH was also quite a late developer and his sister apparently didn't start her periods til she was around 16, so I haven't been overly worried about it. Should I assume it will just happen within the next year or so (she's not quite 16, birthday is Feb)? To complicate matters, she has a huge needle/blood phobia so she would never in a million years consent to the gp taking blood for tests etc (she actually ran out of the appointment for her booster vaccines when she was 14!). Any advice please?

Wouldn’t worry yet - cousin started at 18 and friend started at 17. Both very slight too.
Leave it a couple of years before investigating would be my advice

Don't worry, I was over sixteen when I started mine. Up to eighteen is pretty normal.

My dd was 17

Sister was 16 and a normal average weight. Mother was 17 but quite slim.

A close friend was 17 and very very slight

www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/delayed-periods/

Some info here, but yes I would take her to the GP if she’s not started by 16. It could just be that she’s a late developer and there’s nothing “wrong” but her GP will be able to access whether this is the case or whether further investigations might be appropriate.

As an aside, is she getting any help for her needle phobia? Just because unfortunately occasional blood tests/injections are a part of life and if she develops any medical conditions in the future (or even if she has a baby) being terrified of blood tests would complicate things. Phobias are horrible but can be overcome with the right support.

If she's still only 15, I'd leave it for another year.

Thank you everyone. It sounds like still in the normal range then.

Yes, I agree, the needle phobia needs addressed but it'll have to be done privately and we just can't afford it right now unfortunately.

I have no idea if this is scientifically true, but I'm sure I heard years ago a woman usually needs to get to a certain weight before she starts (and that is attributable to the fact some girls are starting younger) I'm pretty sure that weight was around 7.5stone. No idea if that is still believed to be the case, but is she very slim?

(Not saying this is true for everyone, I think it was on one of Prof Winston's programmes!)

Ah well, she is 7 stone actually, so maybe some truth there. She really is very slim.

I would arrange a GP appointment, if this is related to being underweight & subsequent hormone development then it has implications for long term bone health.

You say she’s 2nd centile for weight, what about height? That would make a difference in terms of the above

I was 16

She's not underweight according to BMI calculation, using height and weight, but if she lost any weight at all she probably would be. As I say, she has other signs of puberty so hormones have kicked in, to a degree. I'm reluctant to start investigations just yet due to history from dh side of the family and her needle phobia (though I know that needs addressed)

I started at 15. But then lost a lot of weight through sport and being small and stopped again. Below 6 stone = no periods for me. Daughter is 14 and 5 stone -and I can't see it happening for the next 2 years.

I was very slim back at that age and I didn't start until I was almost 16. I think it's normal. My mum took me to doctors and they said it was nothing to worry about. I remember there was only one other girl in my year group that started later than me!

I would personally get in touch with your GP (or encourage your daughter to) and speak to them about it, just to be on the safe side. They might well tell you not to worry (obviously lots of other people on here who started later too!) but it wouldn’t hurt to check with them I don’t think. I started mine at 12 so I was one of the first in my friendship group, but as far as I’m aware there was only one girl in my extended friendship group who hadn’t started hers by the end of Yr10.

I would give the GP a ring as this is v late. She is probably just v late but best to find out if they need to do tests etc.

Until you can get counselling/help for the phobia, has she even had emla cream used? Its a local anaesthetic numbing cream used specifically on children to numb the skin before a blood test/vaccine. It is also used with people with needle phobias, having a tattoo or piercing etc.

You can buy it online from larger pharmacies. The pack with small dressings included is ideal. You only put a pea sized blob on the skin (dont rub it in at all), put the dressing over the top and seal the eges of the dressing, then leave on. Ideally for 1hr prior to the injection, but it starts working sooner than that. The white cream will be absorbed and turn to a opaque colour. Any residual cream is just wiped off before the injection, and the skin will remain numb for hours.

If you explain the issue before her appointment, they might position the cream and dressings beforehand so you know exactly where it goes, then wait outside/somewhere else for an hour.

Hi Elouera, Yes we tried the emla cream, no joy unfortunately.

I didn’t start until 17, and then very very irregular. I was normal weight (rode horses daily so very muscular and strong) but very very short.

Eventually diagnosed with PCOS aged 28 after never having more than one period a year, but I distinctly remember at 16 being told by a GP that 7.5 stone is the weight that’s generally a trigger and they don’t worry until then.

The weight thing isn't true. My dd is 5st 10lbs and currently has her first period - she's 10.

Me 14 sister 15 niece 16.

If she is borderline underweight are you/her getting help with that?

Does she have an eating disorder?

@dippyegg32 with all due respect just because it wasn't the case for your daughter it doesn't mean it isn't true for others, the human body is more complex than that.