I'm 14 and I Don't Have My Period Yet. Is This Normal?


I'm 14 and I don't have my period yet. Is this normal?
- Christy*





A girl's period, also known as menstruation, begins
about 2 to 2½ years after her first signs of puberty (breast development
is usually the first sign of puberty, but sometimes pubic hair comes
first). Girls usually get their first periods between the ages of 10 and
15. However, some girls start puberty a little earlier or later than
others.

A clue you can use to figure out when you might get your period is to
check your underwear for vaginal discharge. This clear or whitish,
mucus-like discharge usually appears about 6 months to a year before the
first period does.

You can also ask your mom how old she was when she got her first
period. Girls who get their first period later than average often find
that their moms or other female relatives also went through puberty
later than average.

Just because you're 14 and haven't gotten your period yet doesn't
necessarily mean that anything's wrong with you. Some girls, though,
might not be getting their first periods for other reasons. Sometimes
girls don't get their periods because of hormone imbalances. Girls who
are underweight or who have eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa
may notice a delay in the beginning of their periods. Girls who are very
athletic might not get their periods until they stop exercising or
competing so vigorously. Severe stress or certain illnesses also can
delay menstruation.

It's also possible for a girl to get pregnant before she gets her first period.

If you have questions or concerns about when you'll get your period,
talk to your doctor. And let your doctor know if you don’t get your
period by the time you're 15, or by 3 years after you started puberty.