Can an 8Yo Get Her Period?

Updated on May 18, 2009
A.G. asks from Kerhonkson, NY
16 answers

My 8yo is experiencing what I think is her period. The bad mood certainly fits and she has a small amount of what looks like blood but she is only 8 years old? Should I be concerned that something is wrong or can this be normal?

I will call her doctor on Monday but anyone think it warents a Sunday visit to a doctor?

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So What Happened?

I took her to the Dr. today (Sunday). They tested her for an UTI but it was not positive but not negative either. They have to culture the "sample" she left and I will get the results tommorrow. The Dr. said it is NOT her period because she has no other puberty "signs". We know FOR A FACT that there was no abuse or anything as well. We are wondering if the sand and dirt her little sister (2yo) put down her pants yesterday and the day before irritaded her and caused this. She is on strict orders to stay away from her sister's sand shovel and to drink as much Cranberry Juice and water as possible. Tommorrow she may end up on an antibiodic as well but for now she is doing OK! Thank you all for your responses and concern!!!! A.

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A.D.

answers from New York on

Hi A., Yes 8 years old is young but it can be her period. Does she have pubic hair, breast buds? If you have not yet, let her know that she is OK and this is normal for a young lady. Get her some special pads of her own. My best. Grandma Mary

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C.Z.

answers from New York on

I got my period at age 8, in 2nd grade, in 1956. I had maybe one armpit hair before that. My doctor at the time said it was early because I was heavy. I don't know how much hormones there were in milk and meat in those days, but my sister, who is medium build, got hers at a more typical age.

Anyway, I'm still heavy, my period was normal for 45 years (oy!)with time off for two pregnancies; and then it went happily away......

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M.H.

answers from New York on

An 8yo can get their period, but generally it is on the same time line as their mother. Since you're concerned about this, my guess is that you did not experience your period at such an early age.

How much processed food does your daughter eat? Dairy? Does the dairy have hormones in it? How much meat that is not organic does she have? All of these products that contain hormones activate our hormones and can send her into puberty fast! It also continues to effect all of us throughout our lives, reeking havic with our health.

A.~contact me if you want to talk more about this. I have a ton on information as I'm a holistic health nutritionist. Also, do indeed contact her doctor ASAP.

Good luck!!! You've been blessed with a big wonderful family!

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L.D.

answers from New York on

Yes it is possible. Did she already grow her breasts? Pubic hair? Either way, you should call her pediatrician - you can wait until Monday, unless she is having heavy bleeding (soaking through pad in hour or less) or she is having moderate to severe pain. They will likely want to examine her to confirm this was her first period. Keep a calendar of her bleeding as well, to help determine the frequency & duration of her menses.

If you haven't already, you should explain to her what this means and what she can expect, what is normal vs. abnormal, etc.

D.D.

answers from New York on

I was 9 years old and it was crazy but it can happen. God forbid, but make sure no one has done anything to her. Another thing could be that her hymen tore and there are various reasons for this. Either way take her to the doctor. Its better to be safe than sorry.

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K.H.

answers from Utica on

Hi A.
Yes, one of my twins was about 8 3/4 and the MD was OK with that but they like them to be 9. If she has actually started bleeding you should call the MD and see what he says.
Trust me it is better than the other twin, who was 18 1/2 and we have gone through more testing than I care to tell you.
God bless you
K. -- SAHM married 38 years --- adult children == 37, 33, and twins almost 19.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

It could absolutely be her first period. Scary, but true. I have several third graders who have started puberty. I would call the doctor on Monday, but unless it appears as though she is hemmoraging, you don't need an emergency room visit.

I see that one of the postings says something about a similar timeline as the mother... my mom was 16 and I was 11. Every woman's body is different and statistically girls are menstruating younger with each generation.

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D.S.

answers from New York on

A.,

I guess it isn't impossible it is just not that common. I was 10 when I got my period. If she is not in any pain and it is a small amount of blood then I don't think it is and emergency but if your doctor has an emergency call in number I would just give him a call and ask his opinion at least it will put your mind at ease.

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R.A.

answers from Buffalo on

you could alway call the dr after hours..and go from there..but they will ask you if she has fallen and maybe hit there like from riding a boys bike or something..they will also take a urine test to see if a bladder infection or something...becuase sometimes you can pass blood that way if it is bad...but the main answer is yes...my mother in law was 8 when she started...both of my older girls were one day after their 11th birhtday...it did not start until i was 16...i have no idea what to expect from my 7 yr old..she may be like the 22 and 26 yr old girls were or like me...i guess only nature know...i do how ever have a video that was given to me for the older girls that i still have and can copy and send to you to help her understand more if you would like...when i bought it the video came with one of each of the femine products to she the girls what they really look like...i dont think they make the video any more becuase of all the education in the school... but that is not till the higher grade levels...well good luck and let me know if you would like a copy of the video...you can preview it befor you have her watch it just to be sure if you feel it is ok....when i ordered it i had gotten the information from the doctor office...there was not much internet use back then...rosie

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S.R.

answers from New York on

It is absolutely possible -- girls are getting their periods earlier and earlier these days. (I personally think it's because of all the hormones we pump into the foods we eat...but I don't want to go off topic here...) If she is showing other signs of development such as others have mentioned here, then it is definitely a possibility. It's probably a good idea to see the doctor, but probably doesn't warrant an emergency visit on a Sunday. Do check it out, though, especially if she isn't showing other signs of puberty, because that could be of concern.

Good luck to you and your daughter! :)

S.

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M.T.

answers from New York on

Hi A.,
That's young for her period, but it is possible. Has she shown other physical signs of puberty - breast development, public and underarm hair, etc? If so, the period is the natural progression but it still doesn't hurt to give her doctor a call but this is not a medical emergency. If she is having vaginal bleeding and no puberty signs, I would call the doctor right away.
Good luck and hugs to your daughter.

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C.D.

answers from New York on

I think it is a period but dont expect it to continue and be regular, call dr tomorrow for sure.

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C.P.

answers from Rochester on

Hi A.,

It could be normal, waiting until Monday for the Dr. sounds fine. Some girls are getting their periods early. (which really sucks!) My niece got her period at 9 yrs old but she also had adrenohyperplasia (not sure of the spelling). One of the issues is that there is too much testosterone in the blood. As a kid she always wanted to be a boy & have boy things. Then got her period early and bloodwork revealed that she had this condition. She is 20 now & at her birth that was not one of the standard tests but now it is.
Good Luck. It is a bummer that your daughter started so early.

M.I.

answers from New York on

Dear A.,
I am a doctor at a hospital where we are studying this exact issue. We are looking at how environmental pollutants may be causing girls to have puberty at an earlier age. This is new science, and most doctors do not consider these exposures as a potential cause of early puberty.
In terms of your question, you should definitely have her doctor conduct a Tanner staging, where they will assess the pubertal stage of your daughter including breast development, pubic hair sprouting, etc. You should not be alarmed if it is found that your daughter is indeed going through early puberty. It is becoming more and more prevalent..
Hope this is helpful

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R.E.

answers from New York on

get her off any homone fed animals, milk, cheese, eggs. it can reverse the effects.
use organic milk, cheeses, yogurts, dairy...
meats, only organic as well and organic eggs

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L.R.

answers from New York on

My daughter started her menses at 9. It turned out that she had a hormonal imbalance (estrogen dominance) and it is very difficult (or can be) because she is still just 8 years old and the other children probably won't start their periods until the average age of 12.
I read that the American diet has also added to girls menstruating earlier and earlier.
Between the hormones they give to our livestock and poultry products and the excessive use of soybean oil - this has been happening.

I would suggest taking her to her pediatrician or family doctor so that all of your concerns (and your daughters) can be addressed.

Good luck!

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