I don't know where 2 start, but let me see.....
I'm a 14 year old girl... about 4'11 1/2 and I havn't started my period yet. I was talking to some friends about this and the said "thats not normal... you should get checked up and make sure nothing is wrong" So i have a series of questions.
1- how old were you when you started it?
2- is this normal?
3- could you tell me some stuff that they DONT tell you in school
4-if i DO ever start it then how could i get around it so that my dad dosent find out?
and so on.... but i really really want it.... please don't tell me that i dont want it

In actual fact, menstruation can start as early as 8 years old (which is not typical) and as late as 17 years old (which is also not typical). Average is age is about 12-14 years old. If you are very worried, I'd see your family physician.. but things like physical activity, severe dieting and genetic "programming" can all affect your menstruation cycles and when you have menarche (your first menstuation).

I started my period at about 13 years old. I admit I didn't care for it and I still don't but it is something most women have to tolerate. I have two sons and if having them means having my period, I am glad to have it. :-)

As far as not telling your parents, I am not sure why you don't want to, but it shouldn't be that hard to prevent them from knowing. Just start keeping spare outfits and panties at school and areas you go to frequently (friend's home, gyms, etc) with some feminine protection such as pads, etc.

I don't know what they teach you at school, but some things you want to know is, keep some moist towelettes handy so you can clean your hands and privates if you begin a period. Your period can often begin quite heavy and slowly become fairly light. At the end of the period, the blood will be rather dark and "clotted" looking, that is normal.

Here is a site that discusses Menstruation. It has a lot of great material you might find interesting.

If you have any questions you can contact me.

Sherasi
Registered Nurse

[This message was edited by Sherasi on 06-22-02 at 12:02 AM.]

[This message was edited by Sherasi on 10-11-02 at 12:39 PM.]

I agree with everything Sherasi said, by the way.

1- how old were you when you started it?
I was twelve when I first got my period. That is about average. I would rather not get it though, believe me. It is just a royal pain in the neck, every single month. You should feel lucky that you don't have to deal with that crap yet.
2- is this normal?
There is no real "normal" age for getting your period. If you are worried, you could go see your doctor, but I wouldn't worry. Girls develop at different rates, that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you.
3- could you tell me some stuff that they DONT tell you in school
Well, they didn't tell me ANYthing in school, so I don't know what they tell you, but what Sherasi said was good. You could also check out some of the tampon sites like kotex.com and playtex.com, as they often have good info.
4-if i DO ever start it then how could i get around it so that my dad dosent find out?
and so on.... but i really really want it.... please don't tell me that i dont want it
Believe me, your father will know. It's simple: men know that all women get their period. Your father isn't stupid. He'll know. But you don't have to tell him and you don't have to talk about it. You could ask your mother to tell him never to mention it. Fathers don't usually want to talk about or think about their little girls growing up anyway. So I wouldn't stress about it.

about what elexina said.....
see... heres the problem..... my mom died when i was a baby and i cant tell my nan bcause she would just tell my dad..... i went to kotex.com and it said that u usually don't get it until u have everything and you've had 95% of your growth spurt plus u weigh around 100 pounds....
but if i go on the pill or something would i start to get it?

quote:

---

Originally posted by I Don't know: about what elexina said... but if i go on the pill or something would i start to get it?

---

You can't go on the pill without a prescription from your doctor and a doctor will not put you on the pill without parental consent. So you can't do it that way.
You could call your doctor and discuss your concerns. Putting you on the pill would regulate your period once you have it but as far as helping you get it, I do not believe it will.
I am very sorry about your mother, but there must be some other women in your life that you trust, like a teacher or school nurse or neighbor.
I really don't understand your problem with not telling your father. I mean, I never discuss this kind of thing with my father, but I know that he knows. Your father is going to know. Talk to your nan, let her know what's going on!
But here is the bottom line, really: you're just going to have to wait. When your body is ready to start menstruating, it will start. Until then, there isn't much you can do (except be glad you don't have to deal with it just yet!).

1- how old were you when you started it? almost 13
2- is this normal? A little late, but nothign bad ever happens from getting it late. think of it this way- you'll hopefully go through menopause later.
3- could you tell me some stuff that they DONT tell you in school- its really hard to put on a tampon, dont do it until a while after you get your period- and you can get tss from them, so better off not using htem except for sports and the like.
4-if i DO ever start it then how could i get around it so that my dad dosent find out?
and so on.... but i really really want it.... please don't tell me that i dont want it
Wrap up your stuff in tissues and make sure to take out the garbage from the bathroom yourself.

I've had mine since I was 9 years old. It's yucky and gross and and horrible...

I wouldn't be too worried you haven't started yet. Your only 14 years old. Some of my friends were 16-17 when they started. It all depends on your body. Unfortuantly, our bodies never work the way we want them too

Sherasi, Elexina & ronitwit all gave excellent adivice.

As far as not telling your dad, is it because you find it too embarassing to tell him or are you afraid he will get upset? I would not worry about it. Embarassing or not it may be a good thing to tell him. Or, tell your Nan. Maybe you can ask her not to say anything your dad. Or perhaps your friends mom. You should talk to somebody close(someone other than a doctor) a relative or a friends mom...

I don't think I would worry about him getting upset, if that is what the case may be.It is a fact of life for woman and we have no control over it.
I hope everything works out for you!

I just wanted to comment on the TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) You can use tampons without the fear of getting TSS. If you don't change them often the possibility is their but very slim. By often I mean change it everytime you go to the bathroom to urinate. They make a slim kind that might be best to start with. If you find that a regular absorbancy isn't holding between going to the bathroom switch to a higher rate absorbancy. I can't imagine having to wear pads again. When you have a baby they make you wear pads because of the increase chance of infection because of just having a baby. When you use pads it is a mess. You get blood everywhere. Tampons are so much more comfortable. You can swim in them and do anything in them that you would do normally. But a pad I think would be harder to do some sports, because if it moves in your underwear you will have a mess. I think most girls you pads at first and then try tampons. Sometimes it take practice. Also you can't swim with a pad.
So Rondoit is correct in saying that you do have a greater risk of getting TSS from a tampon but the likely hood of this happening is Null. If you change them on a regular basis. You can sleep with on but when you wake up and urinate change it. If you leave it in for days yes you could get ill because of infection.

When I was younger platex was the best they are slim and work well. But now that I have bought my own products instead of using the community box our house. I like Kotex because they have a rim on them that you get your fingers on to help get the tampon up there. With them it is just easier. But they do seem to be much bigger than playtex. So by small boxes and check them out.

I started when I was 13 and my sister was 15. So don't worry just eat right and take care of you body and you will start. The pill will not make you start your period.

I would think some one in your family should know you started just because you need extra money to by supplies they are not cheap. Talk to your Nan and tell her you are not comfortable talking with dad about it. So when she does tell him he would probably not say a thing to you. My dad and I never talked about these things but I am sure Mom told him. Every woman does this so it is nothing to be embarassed about.

Good luck let us know if we can help.
A concern nurse

I just wanted to say, "thank you for your help"
it was good help. I've had my period for 4 months now and you were right. It is gross! I don't really care for it. My dad doesnt know and neither does anyone in my family. I've tried a tampon twice and the first time i wore it successfully but the second time I got dizzy. I just want to know is this normal??

Tampon-wearing takes some getting used to. I don't care for them even now, and I've used them for almost 2 decades (ohhhhh I am dating myself). There is another product out there called "Instead". Many women get kind of scared at the idea of this product, but it CANNOT get lost (no room in there to get lost!!). This site gives free samples I believe, nothing lost to try it. I use it myself, and I do like it (except I had a surgical procedure that changed the shape of my cervix and it sometimes slips).