by Danelle Karth

Created on: March 15, 2008

Every woman is different and this is often the case when you are dealing with young women as well. There is no guarantee when a a girl is going to get her period and the definition of most is rather staggered here. However, there are some clues and a few key elements that can help parents predict when their girl might start menstruating.

When Her Mother Got It.

Often times, not always, but often a girl will get her period around the same age as her mother before her got it. This may change a little bit, but can often help predict whether it will be early in her pre-teen to teen years or later in them. Some daughters get it at the same age as their parents.

Her Development.
Keeping an eye on a young girls development is often a great thing and will help you figure out when she will get her period. There are many hormone changes that come around the same time as menstruation begins. These include breast development and hair growth. They can help provide a good time line for your young girl.

Age Range.
At one time the age range for starting your period was thirteen to seventeen. Over time, that has change dramatically. It might be because of the growth hormones or other chemicals found in our foods, but our girls are getting younger and younger when they have their period. Nine to seventeen would be a more accurate age range in this day and age.

Preparation.
Make sure you have some thin lightweight pads available in the house in case she is an early starter. You don't want to start her out on super thick pads or tampons. You will also want to share with her a mother's experience, so that when the time comes she isn't afraid and not thinking that she is going to die or that anything is wrong with her.

The Late Bloomer.
There are still some girls who don't get their period until late in their teens. If you are concerned then talk to the health care professional that your child sees. It is highly doubtful that there is anything wrong, but if you are concerned it never hurts to ask.

Determining the age that most girls start menstruating is hard because most girls do it some time between their ninth birthday and their seventeenth birthday. Start talking to her early on and make sure that she knows what is going on should she be one who gets it early. Keep an eye on her development and talk with her doctor if you are concerned.

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