Dear BeingGirl Experts,

I am fifteen years old and haven't gotten my period yet. All of my friends have their periods. My doctor said that if I don't get it before the end of the year, I should come back to his office. I am really worried that he's going to say something bad like I won't be able to ever get it. I also get that discharge in my underwear every day. I also have tried to figure out how to put a tampon in just in case my period ever does happen, but I cannot figure it out! Your help would be greatly appreciated to me!

Lana

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Dear Lana,

Maturation is genetically determined, although your environment plays a role. Even though the average age of menstruation is 12½, some girls do not mature until they are 14 or 15 and this is NORMAL. One of the pluses of being a late bloomer is you may end up being taller and slimmer than your friends. You see, it may not be as bad as you thought!

http://www.beinggirl.com/my-period/first-period is a link to articles on your first period you may find helpful. When you start menstruating is the time to try Tampax Pearl Lites, which are light absorbency tampons or Tampax Peal’s regular absorbency. Read the instructions carefully, and look at the diagram pictures. Notice the way the vagina slants toward the back of the body, so you need to use a slight angle to insert the tampon. Also notice that the tampon is positioned all the way inside the vagina, past the muscle at the entrance. You may need to use a little twisting motion. Remember to RELAX and take your time. It may take a little practice. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy! For more detailed instructions, see the article about how to insert tampons

Your BeingGirl Experts