Two of my daughter's friends got their periods, and
she's worried because she hasn't gotten hers yet. What can
I do to reassure her?
-
Emmeline
You can start by telling her that there's no way to know
exactly when she'll get her first period, but that it will
occur sometime during puberty after she's experienced some
breast development. Some girls start puberty at age 8 and get their
period by age 9; others may start as late as age 14 and not get
their period until they're 16.
Puberty progresses at different rates in different people.
Reassure your daughter that it's perfectly normal to get her
period a little earlier or a little later than her friends. And
remind her that she can always talk to you or her doctor if she has
any questions about the changes she's going through.
For more information, check out these articles:
Menstrual Problems
Talking to Your Child About Menstruation
Talking to Your Child About Puberty
Understanding Puberty
When Will Her Period Start?
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: October 2006
Originally reviewed by:
Neil Izenberg, MD
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