7 yo having periods? - could I have got this wrong?

[DorcasthePuffin]

I have NC for this. My dd is just turned 7. Last week she told me she thinks she has started her periods. I asked her what she had seen and she said a bit of blood when she went to the toilet. I asked if she knew where it had come from and she said her 'middle hole'. I asked her to tell me as soon as she saw it again, and reassured her that if it happened again we could check it out. She said it had happened before.

Tbh I wasn't convinced. She has a vivid imagination, and a sister going through puberty. We talk about these issues very openly in our family, so she could have the knowledge (though I haven't noticed her taking an interest). And she's so young. But this morning she showed me her pants and they are indeed stained brown.

Could it be anything else? For context, she is a really big girl - several inches taller than anyone else in her class. She has got a fair bit of breast tissue. She is black (I know black girls tend to have earlier puberty - but still, 7). I realise I probably have to take her to the GP - I guess I'm only hesitating because she is very anxious about doctors (early life experiences). But I would be grateful for advice on anything I should be looking for/excluding first. Or just to hear from anyone who has gone through the same thing. She is only just 7

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

My mum thought I'd started my period at about 9, but actually I'd been 'poking around down there' and that was where the small amount of bleeding came from. Could it be that?

[DorcasthePuffin]

I guess it could, 2LittleMonkeys. I'll ask her!

[Imnotaslimjim]

I'd be popping her along to the Dr.

Are you sure she hasn't torn her back passage? It's unusual in children but it does leave staining in your underwear if its bleeding. Can you ask if it hurts to open her bowels?

From what you have said about her height and breast development though, starting her periods is a possibility.

[ThinkPinkStink]

Awww, bless her.

Isn't there a thing where some girls have a one off period earlier than they 'start'? I remember aged about eight desperately washing the gusset of my PJs as I was embarrassed that there was a bit of blood in there, and then didn't actually start my periods 'proper' for a couple of years.

[Scarydinosaurs]

Isn't it more likely her hymen has broken?

[ThinkPinkStink]

OP , Scrydinosaurs is totally right... I obv. have the much maligned 'baby brain'

[DorcasthePuffin]

I did check about her back passage, but she assures me it isn't from there and that she doesn't hurt there (also it's quite high in the gusset, not near her bum).

I guess it could be her hymen (I'd kind of forgotten they exist - they seem to me mythical creatures, like unicorns).

She tells me this has happened before. And I have kind of noticed it before but dismissed it as her not wiping properly.

Do you think she should see the doctor now, or wait to see if it happens again next month?

I'm not normally as indecisive and weedy as this; it's kind of knocked me for six. I was fully expecting her to start early, but I thought 9-10 not 6.7...

[Scarydinosaurs]

When did it happen before- how many days in between? My money is on hymen. In fact, there have been lots of threads on this if you advance search and that could reassure you.

[DorcasthePuffin]

OK, hanks that's reassuring. I'll keep an eye on it, and take her to the doctor if it keeps happening. Thanks

[youcantgoback]

I think it would be helpful to get in touch with the Child Growth Foundation as they are a great source of advice. Bone age can advance quickly if she starts her periods early, and if that's the case, it's important to assess her bone age and maybe get treatment to slow it down. Some girls start early and stop growing age 10. It's not common, but an assessment would be reassuring.

[DorcasthePuffin]

Ah, that's good advice youcatgoback. Thanks so much.