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Teenagers

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

Original poster

DD nearly 14, 5 foot 8 and hasn't started her periods yet

33 replies

eggshapedbanana · 26/10/2009 19:53

She is devestated as absolutely all her friends have. I have told her it is normal not to have done. She has asked if I will take her to the docs, but I have explained that there isn't anything he can or will do. Any suggestions of how I can help her through this.

OP posts:
Uriel · 26/10/2009 19:56

Worth taking her to the GP just to have her reassured, I would think.

Littlefish · 26/10/2009 19:57

I was the same height and didn't start until I was nearly 15. I too remember the feeling of being almost the last one in my class to start my periods. I felt so conspicuous.

liahgen · 26/10/2009 20:00

I know she won't feel it but when dd and a friend were discussing this some time ago and referred to someone not having started, I told them, lucky her.

I remember being told there may be concern if not started by 17.

I'm sure she'll start soon enough, bless her. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up I say, (with the wisdom of having grown up)

mwahahahamwahahahallyroger · 26/10/2009 20:02

I was almost 16 before mine started...5ft 7 and skinny skinny skinny I actually had sex before my periods started. is she thin?

notcitrus · 26/10/2009 20:03

I'm 5'8" and didn't start until I was 14 and a few months. On the other hand I did end up with PCOS and late starting is a common indicator.

I think docs are only interested if someone hasn't started by 16, but you could ask if it's worth making an appt?

mwahahahamwahahahallyroger · 26/10/2009 20:06

what is pcos?

mwahahahamwahahahallyroger · 26/10/2009 20:06

oh is it ovarian cysts?

StephHaydock · 26/10/2009 20:07

My sister didnt start her period until 16. Absolutely a normal, healthy girl.

Worth a trip to the doc just to put her mind at rest, I'd say.

Original poster
eggshapedbanana · 26/10/2009 20:08

No, she isn't particularly thin, although definitely not fat. She is quite developed in other ways and has been for some time. It does worry me when you mention PCOS as I suffered from this and ended up having fertility treatment to conceive.

OP posts:
GooberIsLockedInTheBootOfMyCar · 26/10/2009 20:08

It could be the pressure that she is putting on herself that is causing the delay. Your GP should be able to put her mind at rest and help her to relax about it.

fairylights · 26/10/2009 20:09

i was 5ft 10 and didn't start til i was nearly 14 too - did seem like a loooong wait, i sympathise. maybe your daughter would be a bit reassured by threads like this or on sites for girls more her age?

CarGirl · 26/10/2009 20:09

what age did you start your periods as you tend to follow your mum in this way.

GooberIsLockedInTheBootOfMyCar · 26/10/2009 20:12

That rule is not actually right CarGirl. I was just 11, my DD was 13.

Thandeka · 26/10/2009 20:17

I was 5ft 8 huge hips and boobs (and pubes!) and didn't start until I was about 14 and a half and then i didn't have another period for 7months after that. All entirely normal.
Maybe if she hasnt started by 15 then head to docs.

Original poster
eggshapedbanana · 26/10/2009 20:26

Thank you all for your replies. It certainly makes me feel better to hear your experiences. I was 12 when I started so I guess I am just as surprised as she is.

OP posts:
CarGirl · 26/10/2009 20:26

"tend to follow" there will always be exceptions because it is just a tendancy.

I started much later than my Mum and my daughter started much earlier than me - I strongly suspect it was because I was underweight though.

I have followed my Mum in most other ways, long cycles, very long gestations (cheers Mum), very heavy periods resulting in anaemia post having children.

chocolateismymiddlename · 26/10/2009 20:34

I was 15.5years when I started my period. I am also 5ft8. It was awful starting so late, as all my friends had and I was one of the oldest in the school year. Periods all regular since first one, so doesn't seem to havecaused problems being a later developer.

mimsum · 26/10/2009 21:21

I was nearly 14 before mine started and then I only had one a year until I was 18 or so = I was 5'7" and very skinny - well, I'm still 5'7" but no longer skinny ... Eventually my GP started me on the pill to kickstart my system. Whenever I was off the pill my periods were really irregular, but I got pregnant within about 2 seconds of trying each time so obviously had no effect on my long-term fertility. I do remember being your dd's age and desperately wanting my periods to start, my boobs to grow - I even wanted pubic hair!

BrigitDeathEaters · 26/10/2009 22:49

My Sis was 5 foot 8 and 15 when she started hers. Nothing especially unusual

lou33 · 26/10/2009 22:53

dd1 is 17.5 and 6ft tall, she didnt start hers until she was 16

saintmaybe · 26/10/2009 22:56

But if she wants to go to the gp, I'd take her.
Even if they say the same thing, just to reassure her.

lou33 · 26/10/2009 23:07

dd1 went to the gp about it, and he said it was fairly common and would only do something if they hadnt started by about 17

GoppingOtter · 26/10/2009 23:14

my dd is 15 and no period yet she is 5 foot 4 or 5 and 7 stone 12
we took her to doc who took blood and said all looked normal
no boobs yet either
i console her with the lie fact that she will be fertile at 40 like her mammy!

GoppingOtter · 26/10/2009 23:15

could it be bmi related?

GoppingOtter · 26/10/2009 23:17

all sorts of info out there