S.H. asks from Phoenix, AZ on January 03, 2007
9 Year Old Starting Menstration??
Well, I believe my 9 year old is getting ready to start her periods. Some eveidence of it on her panties.....isnt this alittle early?? I so am not ready for this. I am goign to call her Dr. here soon but I wanted to see if anyone else had a daughter start this early and what did the Dr. say about it? I heard that if girls start to early they the Dr. gives them something to stop it for a few more years....has anyone done this. I appreciate any input.
So What Happened?™
I just wanted to thank everyone. My daughter and I where both in shock yesterday. She had no clue and I feel terrible I did not prepare her for it, I really thought I had a few years to go. I mean I was 13. If it turns out to be a bladder infection or something else than I will know she is prepared for the real one. And as I am typing this her Dr. just called back so tomorrow we will no for sure....She wants a female Dr. now, so I think the search is on.
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L.M. answers from Phoenix on January 10, 2007
My son is 3 and he's had a hairy back since he was 16 months old. He didn't have it when we lived in Calif and the milk was labeled no RBST Hormone. But when we moved to AZ, from 14 months to 16 months he got so hairy. No one in my family has hairy chest/back. My husband doesn't but I think 2 of his bros might. Since he was 18 months he's been back on regular RBST-FREE Milk. And you can buy that from any grocery store and it doesn't have to be organic either. It hasn't diminished but I wish it would fall off. He lost his baby hairiness at 1 but this is ridiculous. He even has a mini light mustache and hair coming out of his nipples.
Both my nieces started their periods at 9 too. I started at 11 1/2 years old(hereditary from an aunt on my dad's side). My mom didn't start til she was 16..but she was in sports most of her life.
My step-niece is 18 now and when she was 12, her mom put her on birth control pills to regulate her period and help with severe cramping. She is a lot more hairier now then she was then. She had hairy legs at 10 years old. It may or may not be the milk. Different ethnic backgrounds have history of body hair too.
J.N. answers from Albuquerque on January 03, 2007
It's true about what the other post says about the hormones in the milk possibly causing early menstation. I personally didn't start till 11, but my mom started at 9. I would say talk to her so that she knows what is going on with her body and doesn't freak out.
Hope that helps!
Jen
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S.J. answers from Phoenix on January 04, 2007
I personally started when i was 11 years old, and for your daughter's sake talk to her tell her whats going on how a woman's body develops and what to expect, because my mother didn't explain things to me until after the fact and then it was too late I didn't freak out or anything.
i heard from school and other girls my age about periods some of the info i received was all wrong, and wished i would have gotten the correct and clear information from my mother.
I know it can be hard to explain things to your children because you might think they are not ready for it or can handle it, but they can. I had to explain periods to my son when he was 7 because he happened to see blood in the toliet and was worried that his mommy wasn't ok. lol it took 2 minutes and then he cut me off and said ok can we have McDOnald's now. Good luck to you and your daughter.
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D.U. answers from Phoenix on January 04, 2007
Hi Serena,
My daughter was 9 yrs old when she started spotting a bit and then on Mother's Day she actually started and by then she was 10 yrs old. The only thing that stunk with her starting was she cramped really bad. Call your daughter's Dr. to see what they say. Mine didn't really say anything I didn't already know.
I know what you mean though I wasn't ready for it either!! My oldest will now be 17 in 2 days and that I'm not ready for at all, talk about my heart achin!!! If your daughter just so happens to get PMS run! Just kidding, I started seeing a naturopath Dr and she gave my daugher some supplements that really eased the PMS big time.
Talking to your daughter about what is going on with her body is a great thing , as much as it hurts our hearts they really do need that from us
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T.M. answers from Flagstaff on January 04, 2007
Well, don't panic....my daughter started at 10 and according to her Dr. this is ok...Keep in mind I wasn't ready for this either...it was a bit of a struggle, but she read about it and knows what to do and when to do it....The mood swings are the worst for me though...Just make sure you are preparing her for this so it doesn't come at her in a shocking way...Hope this helps...
1 mom found this helpful
L.R. answers from El Paso on January 04, 2007
Hello Serena,
I also started my period at age 9! It was a bit strange for me. My mother also consulted my Dr and he said it was normal. I also have a few cousin's that started their periods that young.
L. R.
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C.K. answers from Tucson on January 04, 2007
I have an 8 yo daughter, and her friends who are 9 and 10 have started their periods too! There are many factors that can go into why/when girls start - herditary, and health (see Precocious puberty info http://www.drgreene.com/21_1075.html Also, research indicates that our diets which contain hormone-affected milk and meats can be to blame as well. Cows are pumped full of growth hormones that help fatten them up and cause them to produce excessive milk for the $$. We ingest the cow, and viola - our own estrogens become affected. Try using google.com and you'll see lots of info on the subject. A great site to explore is www.mercola.com
We use only organic products including milk, which you can find at most grocery stores like Frys and Safeway. There also great books on starting your period (written for girls to read) - we have The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls by American Girl. I think we got it at Target, but you can find it at Amazon.com or any bookstore as well.
Good luck!
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H.M. answers from Tucson on January 03, 2007
Well not me I was a freak and was 15 but I will never forget the day my 9 year old sister looked at me and said "I need a pad" and I said no way are you using my new kneepads for softabll. She said no H., A PAD....And I said OMG I can't handle this go talk to mom! Bad big sister I was but hey starting a little early can be a good thing! She's prepared, ahead of everyone and her body knows what to do. To me that is the picture of health!
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M.P. answers from Phoenix on January 03, 2007
Another thing to watch for is molestation. She is very young to be starting her period. If she is having blood in her underwear, I would definitely take her in to see her doctor to be checked. Now a days parents can never be to sure.
W.B. answers from Phoenix on January 04, 2007
Hey Serena,
Girls are beginning to get their periods at younger ages, partially due to the increased hormones in our food. (Particularly dairy products.) But also, because our children tend to be heavier. Childhood obesity is a huge issue with our kids. (Not that your child is particularly heavy, but it's another reason for the early onset of menarche.)
Estrogen is stored in fat cells. The more or the larger the fat cells a girl has, the more likely it is that she'll begin her period sooner because of the increased estrogen being stored. My husband's much younger sister began her period at 8. Granted, she was over 100 lbs at 8 years old, so for her, weight was a HUGE issue in her beginning so early.
You're doing the right thing by taking her to the doctor. 9 year olds beginning their periods isn't unheard of, but is uncommon enough to warrant seeking medical attention. If, for no other reason, to rule out any other issues that could be causing her symptoms.
Good luck!
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