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by Dr. Angela S. Martin, M.D.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Womens Medical Group

Question: My daughter will turn nine in December. She has begun to grow pubic hair. What is the approximate time frame in which I should expect her to start her period? Is it as unusual as it seems to be maturing at this age?

Answer: The physical changes of puberty occur somewhere between the ages of 9 and 16.  The first sign in females is breast development, which usually occurs between ages 8-14, with an average age of 11-12.  Pubic hair appears, on average, at age 12-13.   Menstruation usually occurs one to two years after
pubic hair growth. 

Since the beginning stages of puberty can occur as early as 8 years of age, in your daughter's case, she might be expected to have a period at age 10 or 11.  This is still very normal, and is not a cause for concern.  Remember that for the first 1-2 years of menstruation, most girls are not ovulatory, and the periods may be quite irregular. 

by Dr. Angela S. Martin, M.D.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Womens Medical Group

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