I got my period when I was 12. My daughter is now 13 and still hasn't gotten hers. I always thought that girls got their periods around the same time as their mothers.
– Abby

Although many girls get their first period at around the same age as their mothers or other close female family members did, it's important to remember that every girl's body has its own schedule. Some girls start to menstruate as early as age 8, while others start as late as age 16.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: October 2009

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