This episode is about the first period. Many of you have young pre-menstruators and menstruators in your life who would benefit from you knowing the ins and outs of puberty and what to look for around that first period. 

Teens, unfortunately, often have their symptoms chalked up to a "normal teen experience," whether they have a delayed first period, significant acne or rapid changes to body weight. This isn't true, and rapid or extreme development of hormone symptoms often have an underlying hormone condition that should be assessed. 

Young people deserve an assessment if

• They are 15 with no period (whether they have breast development or not)
• They are 13 with no secondary sex characteristics at all. 
• They have rapid changes to their androgen symptoms (acne, body hair growth, body weight changes). 
• They miss their first period and play competitive sports, are petite or maybe eating below their energy needs. 

We cover how to think about each of these areas of health and when to push for assessment in your teen. 

If you need support and live in Ontario, reach out to us at www.clarityhealthburlington.ca and submit a web inquiry. Our clinicians work with all types of hormonal concerns in young people and run evidence-based testing (blood work).