"What’s wrong with me?"
Hannah wondered this at least once a week. The reason? All her friends had gotten their period and Hannah was sure she’d never get hers. Even when her friends complained about cramps, she still felt a little bit jealous. "I wouldn’t mind the cramps," she thought, "as long as it meant getting my period."

Being one of the late bloomers in your group to experience something—whether it’s having a boyfriend, learning to drive, or getting your period, is never easy. In fact, it can be downright frustrating. But that’s no reason to start thinking something’s wrong with you.

The average age to get your period is 12½, but some girls get their periods as early as 9, while others don’t start until they are 16. If you’re 16 and you still haven’t started menstruating, that’s the time to go see a gynecologist, who will be able to tell you what’s going on. But if you’re under 16 and you still haven’t gotten your period, keep in mind that it’s not the biggest deal. There are plenty of other indicators—like your sense of responsibility and your attitudes toward friends, family, and larger social issues—that prove you’re growing up.