No one can say exactly when you'll get your first menstrual
period, but you will get it sometime during puberty. Puberty is
the time in your life when you begin to become an adult. This
means a lot of growing and changing — both inside and out. Some
girls start puberty at age 8, and others may start as late as 13
or 14. Each girl goes at her own pace. So don't think you're
weird if you start puberty a little earlier or a little later
than your friends. At the beginning of puberty, you'll notice
that your breasts are developing and hair will start to grow on
your genitals (pubic hair). A little later, hair also will grow
under your arms. For most girls, their first menstrual period,
or menarche (say: meh-nar-kee), begins about 2 to 2½ years after
breast development starts. Some girls may get their period in
less than 2 years. For other girls, it may take longer. Every
girl is different, and there is a wide range of normal
development during puberty. A good sign you're getting close to
the time when your first