she has other puberty signs (body hair, acne, etc.) but very small chested also...she has been in track / cross country for a year. could that be why? should I be worried?
I had hair at 14, but didn't get my period until I was 17.
Athletes tend to have low body fat, which can affect menstruation.
It sounds perfectly normal. I don't think running track has anything to do with it. She's not an extreme athlete with ridiculously low body fat or an abnormally low weight, so I wouldn't give that a thought. My son ran track and cross country, and I knew a lot of the parents of girls. None of the girls had issues with periods due to athletics. I'm sure it's frustrating waiting for that period, but with all the other secondary characteristics in place, I'm sure the first period isn't too far away. Just make sure she's well educated about what to expect (the amount of flow can be very small at first, there's no real schedule of repeat periods, etc.) and be sure you have a supply of products on hand and she knows how to use them. Be sure to tell her she can tell any teacher or the school nurse, or the parent of a friend, if she's not home when her period comes. No one will be embarrassed and everyone will be helpful and understanding. Unless kids tend to go through other kids' lockers, it might be wise for her to have a few pads and perhaps a pair of clean underwear in her locker, along with a plastic bag for panties that get a little blood on them. You don't want to freak her out, but you want to let her know that this is a perfectly natural rite of passage and it takes some getting used to. Usually, there's a nice and informal network of females happy to help out. And it's nothing that male teachers or coaches don't know about, so it's okay to bring it up to the nearest adult if she needs to.
K.
Welcome to mamapedia
What does your daughter's pediatrician say? How do you expect a group of strangers on the internet to know about your daughter's health? Sorry - but really - I get wanting to ask - but WHAT DOES YOUR PEDIATRICIAN SAY???
EVERY child is different. Your daughter is active so she might have a low BMI - which can affect hormones and puberty. Take her to her pediatrician and have her checked out. If you don't want the pediatrician then take her to your OB/GYN and have him/her check her out.
Good luck!
You should be discussing this with her doctor. We don't have access to your daughter's health history.
Talk to your pediatrician.
If your daughter is very fit and has a low body fat ratio her period might be delayed but 14 to 16 is still a normal time for period to start.
My mom was 16 when hers began - she was 5ft 5in and weighed 92 lbs - anorexic by todays standards but she grew up during The Depression and lack of food and general starvation was a problem back then.
I would voice your concerns to her doctor.
With that said, I don't think you need to worry. Everyone is different. I've heard kids getting periods as young as 8 and as old as 16. When did you start yours? Genetics might affect menarche, too.
When I had concerns about my child’s health, my go to for those concerns was the Dr.
What does your Dr say?
We are not Dr’s and can’t possibly tell you what may or may not be normal for your child.
according to kids health website, anywhere between 10 and 15 is the average time.
https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/menstruation.html
Also good website for teens.
i don't think it's much of a cause for concern, nor do i think running (unless she's olympic caliber) is the culprit.
but i wonder whom you could ask if you ARE concerned but don't want to entrust something as precious as your child's health to strangers on the internet?
khairete
S.
I think the time to worry is after the age of 16. If you are concerned talk to your obgyn on your next visit. I talk to mine about my daughter when I go and she is happy to answer my questions. Good luck!!
My dd turns 16 in a few weeks...no period yet. She's a very late bloomer and very small chested right now too. Obviously doesn't take after me...I was an early bloomer and very large chested from middle school on.
We had all the tests run on my dd a few years back and the only thing identified was her weight was really low. She is very athletic and has very little body fat, but lots of muscle.
I used to worry, but honestly I'm happy she doesn't have it yet because it gives her more time to grow. She's always been 1-2 heads shorter than her peers and she finally passed 5'1"! That's an accomplishment for her.
High school has been very nice without worrying about her period...especially in sports like gymnastics and diving.
She knows it will be coming soon, but she's thankful for one less thing to have to deal with as a very busy and active person.
If you're really worried, talk with your pediatrician. Many years ago, before our society carried more weight, it was normal for girls to get their period around 16 (I've heard that in the early 1900's that was the average age). Now the average age of menarche is around 11-12. My mother who is elderly now didn't get hers till she was 16.
You need not worry. As you have said, she has other signs of puberty, and she is only 14...she will be growing for a few years yet. I have twin daughters. One was 11 when she got her period, the other was 14. At their physicals, I did advise the doctor one twin had not yet gotten her period. He advised that it was perfectly normal. She was otherwise healthy and there was no reason to be concerned. It is the one time I can recall they didn't do something at the same time!
No, my mother got her period at 16. I think athletic and underweight kids may develop at a different pace as well, due to low body mass (sometimes, their periods are more irregular because of that). If you're concerned though, why not ask the pediatrician?
