Puberty - When did you start?

[raeanna74]

My own daughter is beginning to have some changes. So now I'm looking back and trying to remember when I.... whatever. No matter how I look at it it seems like she's starting things somewhat earlier. I've heard that this is a trend in a lot of young girls now for whatever reason. There's plenty of theories.

I started having to wear deodorant when I was around 9 or 10. Then training bras around 11. Acne began to kick in around that time too. Then my period started when I was twelve. By the time I was 14 I had a B cup bra size. My periods were so regular I could have told you the lunar cycle by them. Last but not least, my acne was quite annoying and STILL is.

Now with my daughter she had to start wearing deodorant last year. She started wearing an undershirt prior to getting training bras last spring. Now, I'm looking at buying training bras for her new school wardrobe. She could actually be wearing an A cup practically. I've also had to buy her some clearasil cause she's getting acne. With all this going on I'm anticipating a period any time now. But here's the problem. She's only just turned 9 yrs old. All her friends are so flat chested that the difference is noticeable. None of them have any acne and my daughter is already saying she hopes it goes away before she starts school this fall. I've talked to her Dr when she recently had her yearly checkup and she wasn't too surprised. Still. It seems early.

So what's your story? When did you start all that? What were your reactions?

[settie]

compared to my mom, I started late. She said that puberty began for her around age 9 I believe. I wore deodorant around age 7 because of all the sports I did, made me a sweaty athlete. :P

I got my first training bra in grade 6, so I was 10 or 11. And my first period was sometime in the summer between grades 6 and 7, so I think I was 11.

My puberty began around the same time all the girls at school started to change, so it was no biggie.

The girls didn't have any real issues. The guys, though, it was amusing to watch each male in that school squeak into their "manly" tones. :P We were merciless.

[snowy]

I started going through puberty about age 9, with breast budding. I had my first period just shy of my 12th birthday. My first bra, procured at age 11, was a B cup. I didn't start wearing deodorant until after this boy named Darren told me that I stank in sixth grade. I've been super-sensitive about my body odor and hygiene ever since; thank you, Darren.

[lostgirl]

I was a late bloomer, I started my period at 14, although I broke my hymen at 12 while I was on a 3 week survival camp trip. I started wearing deodorant at 7 or so, because I played soccer. I don't remember when I started wearing a bra, probably around 14, I may have used a sports bra before that for soccer. I was super skinny so I only had A and B cups until my 20s, and then I started developing the C's I have now.

[cellophanedeity]

I was about average. My period just before I turned twelve, and all the other development stuff in the proper order before that.

Increased hormones through medicated meats and increased fat levels can cause girls to develop faster than their mothers did. It's just a part of modern life that we're maturing at such a fast rate.

[ZombieSquirrel]

I was 14, nearly 15 when I got mine. I think I started wearing training bras when I was 12. I do remember asking santa for a bra when I was 6...and he brought it. Hung it right on the tree. I didn't need it though...I just wanted one.

The deodorant came early because I played sports. I never really had bad acne. I was a very small b cup until college... Then it seemed like overnight I was a vey full C. Now I am a DD. My grandma says I got my bosom from her side.

I never really had "the talk" with my mom. I learned a lot on my own. She just noticed that I was using her tampons so she bought extra. It would have been kind of nice to have a talk.

[Grasshopper Green]

I didn't start my period until I was nearly 15. I got my first bra in 7th grade but didn't really need one until high school. I don't remember when I started wearing deodorant...probably in 7th grade when I had to take gym in school. Thankfully, I've never had a problem with acne.

[savmesom11]

I started almost the exact thread a little over a year ago when my then 9 year old daughter started developing - she will be 11 on Monday and she is more developed than I was at 17. My mother and aunt were 8 & 9 - yet I was 15 when I got my first period. It does seem that girls are maturing much sooner these days and minority girls even more so.

[CinnamonGirl]

Oh, I was definitely late. I didn't start wearing a bra until sixth grade... 11? 12? Something like that. Got all the flat-chested jokes from the boys... but then, BAM, overnight I was a C cup (D now.)

I think I was a freshman...or just about to be a freshman, when I had my first period. So, 14ish.

Strangely enough, I never had a problem with acne until I was well out of high school. It's more of a stress thing, I've noticed...when I worry too much about things, I break out. Maybe I just wasn't very stressed back then. *shrug*

[jewels]

I was 13 when I got my period. So was my 26-year old. My little ones both got theirs at 10.

I think for all of us it was all around the same time for the deodorant and bras too.

[genuinegirly]

Deodorant - age 12.
Went directly to an A-cup - age 10
Menstruation - age 10 irregularly spotting, regular by age 11

Probably could have had a training bra earlier, but my mom somehow thought that I knew what one was and that I didn't want one. She would have me wear thick undershirt tanktops under my shirts. Eventually one day she said, "Sweetheart, I'm afraid you're big enough that we can't get away without a bra." I was oblivious to the fact that bras existed, and had no idea I should be wearing something. I was an incredible tom-boy at the time, didn't really understand that I was any different from the guys. She handed me a training bra, I put it on and it was too small, so we went shopping and got me something that fit - an A cup. I had a normal bra but I chose to wear sports bras most of the time.

[*Nikki*]

I was 15 or 16 when I got my period. I don't remember the deodorant thing. I think I started wearing a bra in 6th grade but heck I really can't remember any of that stuff.

[raeanna74]

A male member sent me an interesting PM so I thought I'd share.

Daniel_ "I can't post on your thread, as a man, but do have the same dilema.

My daughter is 9 1/2 and has about the same development as you describe - she's in undershirts, but could soon need a real bra, and already has to use decent skincare products to avoid incipient blackheads.

The average age of the onset of menses is falling across the developed world, and there is much talk of this being due to hormones in the water, or industrial pollutants. The fact is that it's almost certainly due to better diets in early life."

I had heard of the hormones in water. I doubt that's a reason for earlier puberty in our particular area since we have such a low population. I hadn't ever considered the idea of a different diet affecting it. There is a lot more knowledge out there about nutrition but there's also so much more junk food with chemicals in it. I think we'll never REALLY know what the cause is with so many variables. It's good to know that there are other girls out there at the same age and same stage.

[girldetective]

The summer after eighth grade and before ninth is when I began my period, and when I began to wear a bra.
I loved my bra so much! Yet it felt foreign to me. I slept in it, privately feeling like one of the women but not knowing exactly what that was.

[DaniGirl]

I have noticed these days that girls are starting there periods a lot sooner. I was ten when I started my period. It was really scary, no one my age started (that I knew about) and my mom never talked to me about it. I thought I was dying. But I also needed a bra that year.

Now my husband has two younger sisters one is 12 and the other is 13 almost 14. Now his younger sister started her period years ago and his 13 year old sister just started this summer. Now my younger sister did not start her period until she was 14.

Everyone is different, I wouldn't worry about it.

[little_tippler]

Deodorant - 12
Bra...can't for the life of me recall! Funny that. I think probably around 11-12.
Period - 14. That was a late one, most of my friends had it already by then. But when it came, I hated it.

raeanna, I don't think you need to worry too much. Some people develop sooner, others later. These days it seems to be earlier and earlier. I only think it's a shame because the girls don't get to be little girls as long.

[ametc]

I started getting body hair at age 9. Started masturbating at age 10. Got my period at age 11, also was a B cup. Used deodorant at age 12. I believe I started shaving at the same age I started growing hair. If not then I started shaving when I met a boy I liked at age 12. Lost my virginity at age 13. Age 13 my bra size was a 32C. They got poked. A lot. -_- At age 16, I became a 34D. I never wore training bras. I wore my first thong at age 15. Got my first "sexy" bra at age 14 in the Philippines. Used pads at first until I was 14 and got tired of leaking at school because of moving pads. (the wings were supposed to keep them in place but they failed at that.) Tampons were my go-to period pals until I learned about the Diva Cup at age 18. I am now 20 and my ass is missing. I swore it was there just a couple years ago! This seems to be happening to my friends, too. Asses gone missing. Nobody has a clue what the hell hapened to them.

[wooÐs]

• I started masturbating very young. Like, 7 or 8. I know that's disturbing.
• Deodorant - don't remember.
• Shaving under my arms - 9'ish. I remember my Mom and I were in a dressing room and she noticed how hairy I got. So we had a talk then, about the shaving under the arms.
• Period came at 10. I didn't know anything about it. I freaked. I ran and told my Mom 'I think I pooped my pants!' Then she told me about periods lol.
• Training bras - I think they came around 4th grade. I can remember being outside playing with a friend and my Dad drove by. He put the car in reverse, slammed on the brakes and screamed, 'GET IN!' I was like, 'what did I do???' 'Why don't you have a bra on!!! You look like a slut!!!' I developed very young, overall. So yah, bras were mandatory from this point on.
• Shaving legs - ugh, was that a battle. I think Mom finally gave in around 5th grade.

[surferlove007]

I got my first period when i was 13 in 8th grade. Proudest stain I've ever had in my underwear! I didn't wear deodorant until 8th grade since I was a swimmer and thus being sweaty wasn't much of a problem. I got my first bra in 6th grade when my mom noticed my breast budding. I got my first pubic hair in 7th grade, and promptly shaved them off. My first real big girl bra was 7th grade of course I didn't really need it. I wanted one because the stupid boys in my class went on snapping rampages and thus one day went to snap mine....and didn't get the thrill of watching me squirm...well they never let me forget it. Thanks assholes. I got my first finally adult feeling bra when I was 16. I was really flat through high school, I finished and bloomed my senior year in high school, physically etc. Got acne at age 13, still fighting the battle 8 years later. College has just been an enhancement since then physically.

I think you're right, seems so many kids are starting things super early nowadays. I hope when I have kids they last a while till they get their period so I don't have to buy as many tampons, bras etc. My mom didn't start her period until she was 16! Lucky lady. I wouldn't worry too much! Sorry about the rambling!

[StephanieH]

I think I started my period at like 10 or 11. I don't remember the deodorant part, but acne came at like age 14 to 16, and I do remember being super excited to be allowed to shave my legs at age 10! lol

[Salem]

I was in grade 5 when I started wearing a bra. I think I was wearing deoderant and shaving then as well. I got my period just after my 12th birthday.

[crystalan]

I was 11 yrs. old, younger than most girls who get theirs. It was challenging because I was still so much a kid trying to deal with a womanly issue.

[Bijoufem]

Hello ladies Im new here and thought to answer and say hi...

Puberty for me was around nine years old it was a difficult time as I never had a mother and I thought I was dyeing when I got my first period age ten...