Female Puberty Issues / Question
Published: February 23, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a bit concerned about my stages through puberty. When I was only 11, I started my period a little before my 12th birthday. (Knowing this is confidential, I'll share this with you) In fact, when I was 11, my pubic hair grew in extremely fast and all of a sudden I had breasts. I hadn't even gone through the emotional part of puberty though. I find this strange too, because I'm petite. Back then when all this happened I was just hitting 80 pounds. Now I'm 14 years old, 4'11", 103 pounds and I have such emotional things going on that I often convince myself of things and burst into a panic. Some of my friends who are taller than me don't even have their periods yet. Don't you think puberty rushed itself on me? Please help because I'm not even growing in height and I don't know what's going on.
Signed: Rushed Puberty
Dear Rushed Puberty,
Like most girls who begin puberty young, you probably feel a bit out of place and possibly even awkward. This portion of your life is not easy emotionally or physically and can leave you a bit uncertain. However, TeenHealthFX would like to reassure you that the stages, through which you have passed and are currently going through, are completely normal.
Girls can begin their period from age 8 to 18, but most girls begin theirs anywhere from 11 to 14. Around age 8 in most girls estrogen, the female hormone, begins to circulate throughout the body which causes the first signs of puberty. A girl's breasts begin to slowly develop and can often feel tender. Generally women begin to menstruate about 2 years after this first sign of growth. Right before a girl starts her period she usually sees a thin, centralized growth of pubic hair, which will form into a thick bushy triangle once she has begun her period. During the time after ovulation and menstruation, girls go through what seems like an overflow of emotions. The increased level and fluctuating hormones in your blood cause this. It may be difficult, but rest assured it is normal.
These stages we have described are general and will be different for every girl. Some girls, like your friends, may not begin their periods until their later teen years. As far as your height and weight are concerned, I would not be alarmed. You may be a more petite person in height; this depends upon your genes. The weight gain you have experienced in the last two years is totally normal for a girl going through puberty. The stages of puberty may be difficult, but every boy and girl must go through them in order to become an adult. TeenHealthFX wishes you the best of luck. If you have any more concerns about this period of your life please feel free to ask.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The highest Chlamydia rates occurred among women ages 15 to 19 and 20 to 24.
