[paranoidandocd]

Ok, so I have a few questions about puberty, I guess. I know everyone is different and I'm right around the age that people have their periods, but I'm 14 and I'm worried their might be something wrong! Sooo,
1. My mom had hers at 13, I'm almost 15, and I've had (lots of) pubic hair, along with armpits and (ick) bellybutton hair. I've had this thick yellowish discharge since who-knows-when, I think 7th grade. It always gets stuck in the hair and sometimes smells a little. Also, I noticed a kind of change in my appearance over the years from like 5th grade-now (9th). Like, I don't have any boobs, but my hips got a little curvier and I got slightly taller and I just look a little less awkward, I guess. I haven't grown since 6-7th grade though and my doc said i still have like half a foot left to grow. Ok, so do you think I might have my period sometime soon?
2. This is really long, I'm sorry, but I've got to write it ALL down so I can figure this all out. What exactly happens if I go to the doctor to see why I haven't started my period (my regular doc said I might want to this in a little while if i dont start, and i don't see a gyncologist)? Like, they won't actually do anything will they? Just, look, at the most?
3. Ok, almost done! Also, this is really gross, but since I was like 10 or so, I've kind of masturbated, I guess? I feel so stupid afterwards, even though it feels good for like 5 seconds. Will this affect my period, and can the gyno tell that I do it? Also, is there a way to, like, resist it at all? It's so nasty and I feel like a nasty person, but I can't help it sometimes! :/
DONE! Thank you so much for reading this if you did! I would really appreciate your help, and I'm so sorry this was uber long (and kind of TMI, but hey..)! :/

[lizzardb63]

I don't think there is anything wrong with you. It sounds like you should be getting your period soon, but it definitely would not hurt to see a gynecologist because its healthy. They will just look. I take it you've never had a pap? Basically you lay down on the table and they prop your legs up in stirrups and they take this metal thing and sort of "open you up", its not usually painful, just uncomfortable, and they take a really long q-tip and swab your cervix and just test it for anything irregular. Its over in 5 minutes.
Everyone matures at a different rate and I don't think there is anything wrong with you.
Second, no the doctor will not be able to tell that you masterbate. Don't feel bad for masterbating. It's healthy and teaches yourself about your own body, which will be helpful in the future. Its normal.
As I said before though, it wouldnt be a bad idea to see your doctor, just in case.

[ItsASecret]

There is nothing wrong with not getting your period because someone else got it at a younger age. Some girls do not even get them until they are 18, most of the time if one does not appear by 18 there is blood work taken to see how your hormonal levels are and then there is a possibility of getting a referral to an endocrinologist to figure stuff out. If you go to a gyne they will very likely not want to do anything pap smear wise except maybe look if you okay them to do so, even then there is not much they can say other than yes you have a fully formed vagina. The reason they say no is because they are more concerned once you have become sexually active and I am going to assume that you are not. They know that a lot a lot a lot of girls are terrified of someone poking and prodding around in that area so they do not want to be doing that if there is no real medical reason (which would be being sexually active).

[lizzardb63]

They might though because of HPV.

[ItsASecret]

HPV requires some sort of skin to skin contact with an infected individual. Does not need to be actual sexual intercourse but genital rubbing with a partner or oral sex can cause transfer and later infection with absolutely no symptoms which is the reason that exams are done. I am not sure that a spontaneous generation of HPV can result without any form or sort of genital contact.

[ManINeedACoffee]

Nah, I don't think there's anything wrong with you, but if you think that your lack of growing is a problem (you could just be naturally short), or if having a lot of body hair is a concern, you could always go to the doctor to see if there is some kind of hormonal imbalance.

And certainly do not feel bad or stupid for masturbating - I would wager that many of the women on this forum do it as well. Getting to know your own body and know what you like and what you don't like is a very healthy thing to do, believe me. My doctor once told me that people who masturbate on a regular basis to fulfill their own needs often have healthier intimate relationships than those who don't. But your gyno certainly won't be able to tell whether you do or not.

[paranoidandocd]

Thank you so much, you guys! I'm trying not to freak myself out about not growing as fast as everyone else, and you've definately helped me with that Thanks!