No period at 17? - Women's Health Message Board

wewon · 08-14-2005, 08:40 AM

My neice is 17 and has not had a period yet. I think medical evaluation is a good idea but she refuses saying she is terrified at the thought of a vaginal exam. Can any teens shed any thoughts to do? As an "old" auntie my ideas are old fashioned but I would like some ideas

SillyBird · 08-14-2005, 10:25 AM

I think, yeah it is kind of unusual, but it's nothing to panic over yet. One of my friends is really active in sports and didn't get her period till a few months after her 18th birthday. I had a problem with periods for a while and they didn't even do an exam down there, they did hormone tests and figured out the problem. The first thing they'll do before poking and prodding her will be blood tests, so if something comes back on those she doesn't even need to worry about it right away.

Hope things workout for you niece.

ssborrow · 08-14-2005, 08:47 PM

I am not a teen, but my daughter had the same problem. She did NOT need to have a vaginal exam. They did an ultrasound on her belly and diagnosed her with poly cystic ovarian disease. A symptom of this disease is no periods. Anyway, she was put on birth control pills and is fine now. IMO your neice really needs to see a dr. There are so many things that could be going on. Good Luck!

Nancy005 · 08-14-2005, 08:56 PM

I think your niece really needs to see a doctor also, just to rule out anything being wrong. I was terrified of a vaginal exam before too. But eventually she will have to have one as all women do.

GatsbyLuvr1920 · 08-15-2005, 04:20 PM

I would think that she needs to go to the gynocologist to make sure she's alright. Like the others have said, it could be something like polycystic ovarian syndrome, but it might also signal a hormonal problem, which in that case, she will be referred to an endocrinologist to begin estrogen treatment.
-GatsbyLuvr1920-