So, this is weird... (Ladies)

[Audi]

So now I'm 14, and I haven't started my cycle. Of course my mom is flipping out. I told her that I felt fine, but she just told me that I need an appointment with a gynecologist and I needed to be 'checked out'. I'm sorry but I don't want anyone looking at my junk. I haven't showed any signs of starting. All I know is that I'm not 'stopped up' because my nurse told me when I had my catheter in after I had my resection surgery done like a year ago. My mom said that I need to talk to my GI doctor and have him 'check me out'. The reason that I say that is because I don't want to repeat what she said. I just find that really weird. Anyway, my actual question is how late did you start and what was wrong? My doctor and a couple of my nurses told me I'd start late. I just think my mom has me panicked.

 

[Audi]

And if I have this in the wrong thread, please correct me

 

[David]

I'm going to move this to the ladies only forum since you specifically put, "Ladies" in the title. Hopefully you'll get some good insight there

 

[teeny5]

It is normal for some girls to not start before 14. There are several things that can stop/change/delay a menstrual cycle - low weight, strenuous exercise, stress, illness, etc. Going to the gynecologist is awkward at first, but you need to see one probably sometime in your teenage years. They are there to look after your lady parts...you definitely want someone specialized in that! My mom went with me the first time (I was 15). After that I was fine to go by myself. Are you showing other signs of puberty - pubic hair or breasts? Is she concerned that your growth is being delayed?

I got my first period at like 11 years old. But when I got sick with Crohn's and lost a lot of weight my period stopped for a long time...till my health and weight returned. That was at age 28. Every girl is different. I knew girls that were 15 and still didn't have a period.

 

[24601]

Definitely don't panic. It's not out of the normal range to have not started your period by 14 - though it is later than average and could be due to delayed growth caused by Crohn's inflammation. It sounds like it's worth discussing with your family doctor or GI and possibly getting a referral to a gynecologist. Teeny5 is right that it is important to have a specialist doctor to look after your reproductive health and that you will need to see a gynecologist in the not too distant future anyway.

I totally understand that you feel awkward about the idea of having a gyne exam - I think most women do. The important thing to remember is that the doctors and nurses do these exams all the time and for them it's not awkward, just another body. But you should feel comfortable with the doctor examining you and if you don't you can ask for a different doctor. So if you'd rather have a female doctor you can just say. And there will be a nurse there and I would imagine your mom would be with you too. If at any time you feel uncomfortable you can ask for the exam to stop.

I would also tell your doctor how anxious you feel about the exam and they can talk you through what will happen so that you are fully prepared.

If you need help in finding words that you are comfortable using to talk to your doctors then I'm sure that the ladies on the forum here will be happy to help too. I think it can make it all feel less awkward if you feel comfortable with that.

I think it might be helpful if we get some moms of teen girls with Crohn's to chime in here too so I'll request some help from the parents' forum.

 

[crohnsinct]

Totally normal for the general population but especially for a teen girl with Crohn's. How old were you when you were diagnosed? The reason I ask is because Crohn's delays development. All kinds. Growth, puberty etc. My teen daughter with Crohn's didn't start until she was almost 15 and even then after a few months it completely stopped. BMI, stress, some medications, athletic endeavors etc all play a role in when you start and how regular you are.

I wouldn't worry but it should be mentioned to your GI just from the standpoint of making sure your IBD is under good control and that any meds you are on couldn't be causing the issue. If due to inflammation, your body isn't absorbing the nutrients it needs it will shut down the least necessary bodily system first and that is reproductive. Our pediatrician also had us make an appointment with the gynecologist and when the issue is delayed puberty there typically is no physical exam (unless you are sexually active) and it was a simple blood draw to make sure all of the hormone levels etc were normal. They were and so gyn tossed it to GI who declared good control of IBD so it was just a matter of waiting. Even when she stopped it was simply a matter of gaining weight and easing up on the sports.

I think you will find quite a few girls of the moms around here were delayed and much later than 14. Paging Catherine and Carolinalaska.

 

[xmdmom]

Age 10 to 16 is considered normal for first period so 14 and no period is considered normal. Girls usually have their first period after they are in mid to late puberty, so usually after they have gone through their growth spurt in height and have breast development.

A study of girls with Crohn's found that the average age of first period was around 14 years old.

 

[Snickerdoodle]

I remember my first gyn exam at age 17. I was not yet sexually active at that time and I remember the exam consisting of some talking and a breast exam...no internal vaginal exam at all. If anything I would think the protocol for a 14 year old would be the same. It pays to ask or have your mother ask for you before the appointment. At least then you would know what to expect.

 

[CarolinAlaska]

My daughter with Crohn's didn't start until age 16. She didn't start getting breast tissue until almost 14. The pediatric gynecologist said that typically menstruation starts two years after breasts start to develop. She was right in our case too. Jae had delayed growth as well, and I believe it was due to her low nutrition possibly.

 

[SupportiveMom]

Gyno appointments are akward at any age. The sooner you have one the easier it will become and reduce the stress of everything. Your mom is being cautious and is concerned. We are good at nagging. It's in our DNA.

14 is normal as others have said. Because you had surgery you want to make sure nothing was done to delay puberty further. I know having jpouch surgery reduces fertility be a use they are manipulating that area. You just want to make sure all is well otherwise.

Go for your own piece of mind. Doesn't hurt to help lessen the stress of your mom either.

 

[GlasgowGirl86]

Gyno examinations can feel super awkward but the doctor or nurse will have seen it all before so there's nothing to be embarrassed about If it makes you feel less uncomfortable I'm sure you can request a female doctor/nurse.

 

[MaryK]

I started my cycle just before my Crohn's started, but as the other ladies have said, 14 is within the normal range for a woman to start menstruating, and various factors of the Crohn's can affect your reproductive system. The inability to absorb nutrients properly affects your entire body (there was a time when I was unable to eat for almost a year, and despite being on TPN I still stopped menstruating), and always double-check the side effects of your medications because they can sometimes stop or delay your cycle.
Tip: when you do see your OB/GYN (remember, they wanted to go into this field! they see, ahem, that area down there every day), make sure they use the smallest speculum they have; trust me, the smaller, the better.

P.S.: don't be in such a rush; unless you're one of those lucky women who doesn't have any symptoms before or during your cycle, it kinda sucks lol! :tongue:

 

[tzvia]

Its perfectly normal for you to not have started your cycle yet at 14. No cause for alarm.

 

[Pharmacist]

I didn't get my first period until I was 17! I think it may have been due to the crohns which wasn't diagnosed until I was 17. Anyway, I was always worried that there was something wrong with me and this would affect my ability to have kids. But when I turned 18, my cycle normalized, and I had no issues becoming pregnant and now have 3 health kids.

So, try not to worry. I think it's early to go to the OB/GYN, but if you end up going, I assure you, its really not bad.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I started when I was 11 but mine were not regular. I even stopped during my teenage years and didn't really even get totally regular till I was 21 after I was married. Are you underweight or in a flare? Either one will keep you from having periods. I was very underweight (and still am) for my age. If you're worried, I'd see your doctor. But, otherwise I'd say that your time will come when your body is ready.

 

[dejavucandace]

I was 13 years old and my daughter was 15. The "average" age is 13 so stands to reason some will be earlier and some later. If I was your mom I would leave it alone. I think vaginal examinations are traumatic enough at my age.