When it feels like everyone around you has started their period - friends whispering about cramps, swapping pads in PE, or saying they’ve “joined the club” - it can feel isolating to still be waiting. You might feel confused, anxious, or even embarrassed. If that’s you, please know this: you’re not the only one, and your body isn’t “behind.” It’s just doing its own thing, in its own time. And that’s valid.
To help make sense of it all, we’ve invited Miss Natasha Abdul Aziz, a consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology, to walk us through the facts. No scary stuff. No shame. Just expert insight, straight talk, and a reminder that there’s nothing wrong with waiting.
What age is “normal” to start your period?
If you’re asking yourself, “Should I have started by now?”, you’re definitely not alone. The truth is, there’s no magic number for when a period should arrive. Some bodies are early bloomers, some take their sweet time - and both are perfectly normal.
Miss Aziz explains:
“As with all things to do with nature, there is a normal variation. I always think of the bell curve. The usual age for starting a period in the UK can be anywhere from aged 8–16, with most girls starting to menstruate around age 12.”
She also adds that what might feel “late” is usually just your body doing its thing at its own pace.
“If you have not had a period by the time you are 15 years old (or by the time you are 13 years old if you also have not had any breast development), then you can pop to your doctor to see why you might be slightly ‘late’. However, it is usually just a normal variation in the speed at which your brain - hormone - ovary axis matures.”
Translation? Your body is a masterpiece in progress - not a machine on a fixed schedule.
Why do some people start their periods later than others?
It can be tough watching friends go through changes you haven’t experienced yet - but here’s the deal: your body knows what it’s doing. And there are loads of totally normal reasons why someone might start their period later than their peers.
According to Miss Aziz, it all comes down to how your body processes energy, your genes, and even your daily routine:
“It's important to remember that there is a wide variation, and that 1 in 10 girls will menstruate towards the later end of the spectrum, and for the vast majority of people this is nothing to worry about.
“Common reasons include doing intense sports and training, and very low or high body fat levels. Periods tend to start once the body feels it has enough spare energy to store. Genetics can also account for it - if your mom and aunties started later, it’s likely you might as well.”
So yeah, being a dancer, footballer, gymnast, or just someone who moves a lot could play a role. And if your period isn’t here yet? That doesn’t mean it’s never coming - it means your body’s taking its time to be ready.
How to support a teen who’s feeling left behind
Now let’s talk to the parents, carers and Big Sis figures. If your teen is feeling like the odd one out - especially in a world where everyone seems to be “growing up” - they need support, not pressure.
Miss Aziz encourages normalising the experience and tuning into how they feel, not just what their body is doing (or not doing yet):
“Normalise the process. Remind them that everyone is an individual. Validate their feelings - they may feel left out or anxious. Avoid checking in constantly to find out if it's happened yet. Allow them to embrace their body being on its own timeline.”
In short: make space for their emotions. Don’t rush the body or the conversation. Just be there - calm, open, and ready to listen.
The power of language: building body confidence while you wait
The words we use around puberty and periods can either empower - or unintentionally add pressure. If someone’s still waiting to start their period, it’s not just about when it’ll happen, but how we talk about it.
Miss Aziz recommends language that is supportive, validating, and shame-free:
“Use clear and non-judgemental language that validates and includes.
For example:
‘It’s understandable to feel worried.’
‘What you are experiencing matters and we can work through it together.’
‘Primary amenorrhoea just means your periods haven’t started yet. It doesn't mean something is wrong with your body.’
‘What questions and concerns do you have?’”
That kind of honesty helps strip away fear and replace it with calm confidence. You don’t need flowery pep talks. You need the truth - and permission to feel whatever you’re feeling.
When to seek medical advice if your period hasn’t started
Most of the time, a late-starting period is just a variation of normal. But if you’re worried - or just want reassurance - there’s no harm in checking in with a doctor.
Miss Aziz outlines when it might be worth booking an appointment:
“Generally, we advise going to see your doctor if you haven't had a period by the age of 15 (or age 13 if you also have not begun developing breasts). This is called primary amenorrhoea and it affects 1–2% of girls. Usually we see a period start about 2 years after breast development begins.
“Your doctor will look at the most common things first (your family history and genetics, your exercise and body fat levels). They will also look for slightly less common reasons such as thyroid (a little gland in your neck that releases hormones) and pituitary gland (a small gland in your brain that releases hormones) function which can be checked with a blood test.”
There may also be checks for conditions like PCOS, or rare anatomical differences - but those are way less common.
“However, the odds strongly favour a normal delay, and not a serious medical problem. Most bodies simply start when they are ready.”
And that’s the part we want you to remember most.
Final thoughts
If you’re still waiting for your first period, it can feel like you’re standing still while everyone else is racing ahead. But here’s the truth: you’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re just on your own timeline - and that deserves respect, not panic.
There’s strength in being patient with your body. There’s power in knowing what’s normal and when to ask questions. And there’s absolutely a whole community here (yes, including WUKA) ready to support you when that day does come.
Until then? Keep listening to your body. Keep asking questions. And most importantly - don’t rush the magic.
Related Posts
How to Talk to Teens About Puberty Without Making it Weird
What’s Happening to the Brain During Puberty?