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Today's ask-a-nurse question comes from Dawn in Michigan:

About what age do periods start? What are the signs that indicate a girl's period may be coming?

Puberty is a complicated topic because what is considered "normal" development will vary from girl to girl. However, growth and development do tend to follow a certain pattern. An adolescent girl will typically have her first period somewhere between the ages of 9 and 15 (the average age is between 12 and 13).

There are several changes that will begin to happen to a girl's body before the onset of menses. The first visible change, which starts about 2 to 2.5 years before the first period, is the development of breast buds. Following the start of breast development, girls will begin to develop pubic hair. The last indicator that a girl's period may be coming is a growth spurt. This growth pattern begins in the extremities and then moves to the trunk. Hence the reason why people say an adolescent is all hands and feet. Most girls reach their peak height about 6 months before they start their period.

Remember to talk to your daughter about these physical changes that are happening and will happen as she progresses through puberty.