Is My 10-Year Old Getting Her Period?

I think that she might be on the brink of getting her period. My stepdaughter started developing about 1 year before her period. We go through many "difficult" days with her each month. Before she got her period. We had problems with her a lot---moody, didn't want to do anything, having an attitude, etc. It wasn't easy getting through that time and its still not easy to get through her "difficult" days know. Since all girls are different, its sometimes hard to gauge when they are going to start. Just take one day at a time and keep talking about her about her body changes. My stepdaughter and I talk a lot about what is happening to her and why. Let her know that as a stepmom you care for her and want to help her. Keep talking with her about her body and how it is changing all the time. Good luck!

It's awful, but she might be getting her period. My daughter is 13 and she was one of the last of her friends to start. I don't know why it is, but girls are going through puberty so much earlier than when we were growing up. Try to be patient with her mood swings and good luck!!!

My 11 year old started going through the same things about a year ago. She has not started yet. I think it might be the preemptive signs though. I talked to my mom about it because I have a 12 year old sister. She still has not started her period but did start spotting about 6 months ago. I think the moodiness and all of that fun stuff can last for quit awhile before they actually start. Just part of the joy of having daughters.

H.
H.'s Sweet Scents
Wonderful Handmade Bath Products
www.havenssweetscents.webs.com

Ok after reading some of the posts I am not ready for this to happen to my little girl. I realize my "baby" is only 4, but it will be here before you know it. I got a book already, so I can be prepared on what to tell her and to also let her read. It is called The Care and Keeping of You by American Girl. I browsed the book and it has eased my mind quite a bit. Me, I started when I was 14 almost 15, I also did not start getting buds till I was in 7th grade. I only remember that cause I was teased for wearing a padded bra so I could look like everyone else. I was hoping that my daughter did not fall into my footsteps but I sure don't want her to get her period at age 9 or 10.

Hi S., females usually start their period about 1 year after their breasts begin developing. Hormones are raging the whole time building up until the cycles begin.

There are some amazing books available for young women going through life changes. I can't think of the name of any right off hand but my daughter had a couple that were very insightful. They taught her that changes were normal, what to expect, how to take care of a hormonal body (daily showers, deodorant, etc), all about cycles, and more. You might want to get your daughter a book or two to start the conversations flowing or to help her when you're not available to her.

typically it is 12 -18 months AFTER breast bud development that girls start their period. My dd is 12 - she is 5'3" and 115 pounds - with 34A breasts - no period yet - we have been preparing her since she was about 9-10 with the books and discussions. I was 12 1/2 she will probably be the same age when she starts. You need to have the talks about body changes and hair and body odor. The recoomendations on books you have gotten are perfect!!!

I can truly say I know what you are going through. My daughter got her breast formation at age 9 right now she is about a size 34. She gets stomachaches and emotional at times with crying and angry outburst. She is now 10 and nothing thus far but we are prepared as I started at 9 1/2..I have a open line of communication with her. I am NOT monitoring her body for hair development as I know she will come and tell me. The doctor has told us that her body is preparing itself and it could be now or several years from now. Just keep talking to her...

Remember even when you are talking to her, this is "embarassing" so tread lightly so that she will continue to know that she can talk to you...Don't worry about what some are saying about "hormones" and "minority" groups...All women are created differently and each develops at their own pace...Congratulations to the next phase in the life of your daughter.

sounds like it, they say that periods are starting earlier and earlier for girls because of all the hormones in the food.

S.,

I would say it's definitely possible.

My oldest daughter started at 9 (just before she turned 10). I felt so bad because at the time I had custody of my sister who is 3 years older than her. My sister started that summer and we were all excited and embrassing her step into womanhood. Well that fall my daughter started and I was like WHAT!!!!!!! Not at her but just not excited.

I think one of the first signs for me was early body odor. She started getting musty at like 5 to the point she smelled like a grown man.

It's no wonder with all the hormones, pesticides and antibiotics they are putting in our foods and drink, why they are maturing faster.

My 6 year old has already started the musty phase so I'm preparing myself for another early bloomer.

Could be. My middle daughter started her period at nine. I cried for her childhood. My oldest daughter got mad because "she always copies me!"

S.

My little girl, who is 10 years old, just started in October. In early summer she started getting hair in her pubic area. Thank goodness we have talked about her period so we she actually started she was ready. Well, as ready as she could be. I know lots of people started earlier than 10, but she just seemed so young to me. Good luck!

S.,

I am 24, but I got my period the first week of 4th grade and I was 9! I had to start wearing a bra in 3rd grade becuase I was already a B cup.

Girls are developing faster even though it was (15 years ago for me) stil by the time I left 5th grade I was c cup and kept growing till 8th grade.

If you feel uncomfortable ask you Gyn for some advice.

HTH

E.

Could be! I was 10 when I started and finally 43 years later it just stopped. Good luck!

K.

Both of my girls started about a year after thir breast started "budding". They both started around 10 years old.

As I'm sure you can tell by all of our posts, we all think she is well on her way to womanhood. That being said, nature can surprise you. My mom and I both started at age 9 so I wasn't suprised when my 9 year old started getting body odor and breasts. By 10 she was in a 34B in the 4th grade. She is about to turn 11 in a couple of weeks and she still hasn't started (although she did point out to me that she has started getting hair under her arms and peach fuzz "down there"). So, while the signs were there and we waited for it to happen, it hasn't yet. I'm by no means complaining, just pointing out that even though the signs have started, it can still be a couple years before the actual period starts. As long as your prepared and she knows what to expect, you will both do beautifully. But for goodness sake, please tell her what is coming. A friend of mine ran all the way home from school when she started bleeding because she thought she was dying. I wouldn't wish that on anyone! Good luck and congratulations!

The common age these days is 9! So prepare her.

My older girls, who are now 18 and 14 started "developing" around that age too. They also started getting moody and weepy like they were in pms at about that age, but...... neither of them started their period that early, I think they were both about 13 or so. My daughter who is about to turn 10 is doing the same thing, she is starting to develop, getting the mood swings, etc., but I don't expect her to start menstrual cycles yet. Although your daughter may be one of those eary bloomers, don't painc, she may just be delveloping right along and it will be awhile before she has to deal with the monthly mess. I would go ahead and have the talk with her just so she'll be prepared if she does start, and hope that she doesn't need to use that advice for a while. Good luck.

She might not get her period right away, but she is probably in puberty. Monitor for underarm hair and pubic hair. Once these come in, her period will follow thereafter.

She is getting ready to start in the near future. Go to the bookstore or library and see if you can find the book called, "What's Happening to Me?" It will tell her what the changes to her body mean and what she can expect. The book covers both male and females changes to anatomy. Get a little box of things ready, pads, plugs (tampons, liners and non-alcohol wipes (keep the sting away from tender areas). It is the beginning of a new chapter in her life and a long journey into womanhood. Best to you both. The other S..

Could be any time. MY granddaughter also same age has same. The dentist said her gums bled a little last cleaning and a sign also. They just grow up faster and faster.

My 9 year old daughter has been developing in the chest area for about the past 6 months and has been moody and weepy for about the same amount of time. I took her for a physical earlier this week and the doctor said he would expect her to start menstruating at 10. He confirmed it seemed like girls, especially minorities, are moving into puberty earlier nowadays. I was always told most daughters begin about the same time as their mother did, but I was 13 so I think that theory is out the window. :-\

.

My daughters friend started her period at 10. I know this is young, but sounds to me like this could be the case with her.

I got mine at 9 years of age. She will probably be starting soon. Congratulations to her and you and good luck with the talk. I'm sure she will appreciate it coming from Mom. My mom never took the time, she just let the school show us the video. :|