what age did you start having a period?

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I think I was 13, but it might have been late 12.

I disagree completely with this last sentence. 12 is the AVERAGE age for the onset of menstruation. It is very normal for some girls to start menstruation at 14 or even 16. Past 16 I think I would be concerned, but not 12.

I have 3 boys, we don't plan to have any more children, so I won't have to deal with this w/ daughters.

Definitely clue your daughters in about them, though. I was one of those lucky folks who only learned about it pre-period by the wispers of classmates. It was quite a shock, when the pain set in.

And do have your daughters checked out to make sure there's nothing amiss if they haven't started by 15 or so, or if you're concerned that anything is wrong It's still within the realm of "normal" in the non-technical sense of that word, but there might be some other things going on (polycystic ovary stuff, etc.) that can be treated before they make the kid more miserable than is necessary. Having a reassurance that all is well is worth the short time at the medical clinic.

11. Oct 14th. In band class.

Exactly... while about age 12 may be average there is really quite a wide range of ages. I know of one woman who didn't start hers until she was legally an adult! But she went on to have natural children.

Some families or women will celebrate the comming of the first period as a time of growth and change in a girl's life. Telling your reluctant daughter about how exciting it can be and some of the ways people celebrate might be a good idea. If nothing else she will be resigned when it does come.

Just talk to girls and make sure they know all about it and what is normal and what isn't with it (like cramps are normal, vaginal pain isn't, etc) and that they at least have someone they feel comfortable talking to about that stuff.

It's great that we can have an open discussion about this topic...

Age 12 was chosen because medical studies from American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology are finding that most young females are beginning their periods in the last ten years are at the age of 10. There are many factors contributing to this and would be a discussion in another chat thread.

In my case, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO) and endometriosis. Early intervention may have avoided the PCO which leads to Type II Diabetes. It happens.

I agree with an earlier poster who stated that discussion should begin around this age. I had no female friends or relatives who shared information on menstration and the female productive system. It would have been nice to know before hand.

13, and the boy I liked at the time saw my pants all stained...

Oh, Wormy -- honey! I'm sorry that happened.

Terribly embarrassing at the time, and even now. Over time, though, I promise that it will be less and less a difficult memory for both of you. As your cohort ages, the guys DO grow up and mature (most of them, anyway ), and as they get girlfriends, lovers and wives, and become parents themselves, they become much more knowledgeable and comfortable with women's cycles -- and generally comfortable enough to be supportive, etc. And as for we women, well, it becomes much more a matter-of-fact issue. Still a personal one, but not nearly as excrutiatingly so as in the teens.

Hang in there!

DD

Oops -- meant to share:

Mine started at 12.5.

I'm 40 now. At the time, though, 12-14 was the standard range for menstrual onset, with some outlier girls earlier and later. Anyone older than 16 though was the rare duck.

It's DEFINITELY gotten younger and younger through the years. I feel bad for anyone younger than 12...seems like so little time for childhood.

DD

May 6th, 1997

I was 10 years old.

I was 14. One theory why girls are starting younger is hormones in meat. Compared to the other girls I was a late bloomer. At almost 46 I still show no signs of menopause.

Another theory is that estrogen-like chemicals in plastic bottles, which may be disrupting people's endocrine systems.

Quite possible it's both, and more, that are causing such early menses.

Weight, too, contributes to menstrual onset, since fat cells cause the body to produce more estrogen. As a society, we're much heavier across age groups than 20 years ago. That, however, doesn't seem to explain all of it since many 10 and 11 year olds are not heavy.

DD

What's a period?

on my 14th birthday. How's that a Happy B-Day for ya, lol!

February 13, 1978-I was thirteen.

I was 15 before that I was worried but when I did get my period I found it was a pain in the A*se.

On my 11th birthday. Lucky.