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| photo by Steve_Jane_Sjjphotography |
A mother and 15-year-old daughter went to see the family’s general practitioner due to the daughter having not begun to menstruate.
Mother: Sally is 15 and she is still not menstruating. I’m concerned, and wonder what we should do?
Doctor: Look, Sally obviously doesn't want or need to be pregnant at 15, so don't worry about it. She's fine.
The mother was completely dissatisfied with the idea that the lack of menstruation in her 15-year-old would have no potential significance or connection to her state of health. She reasonably believed that her daughter’s amenorrhea (yes, technically not diagnosed until age 16) might be an indication of some imbalance.
My commentary: This incident provides us the opportunity to realize that the lack of a critical human function such as menstruation should be considered a red flag. Obviously, regular periods in a teen are an indication of good general health. It is important to understand that less than 1% of girls in America have not started their periods by age 16.
True, interesting side story ...
I had the opportunity to treat this same young girl shortly after her medical visit. 5 days after spinal manipulation her periods began. Coincidence? Probably not, but I’ll tell you more about that in a later installment.
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