9 year old DD regular periods

[abitdazed]

So my 9 year old DD began a light period in November (she was 8 at the time). By light I mean she doesn’t have to wear pads with it. It lasts maybe 2/3 days and has been regular every month since.
When it first happened I spoke with the nurse who said that it sounds fine, because she was nearly 9 they wouldn’t worry as long as everything seems okay.
It’s still very light, no pain and she’s super relaxed about the physical side of it when it does happen - she speaks to her Dad and I and knows all about it. I am worried though, she’s so hormonal and I don’t know how to help her manage her moods (I struggle myself!). She’s also tiny, still in 7/8 clothes and quite small. Any advice/tips or just help at all would be much appreciated. I never had any help or talks growing up so anything is a bonus x

It seems she is handling it perfectly well. Let her pick her son options for sanitary protection and make sure she has plenty, it’s light now but that could change. As long as she can speak to you both openly and it’s not seen as taboo she will be fine, my dad thought periods were dirty and shameful and should never be mentioned. My mum thankfully was very open and reasonable about it so I had her to discuss it with. I had awful heavy and painful periods. I have heard starflower or evening primrose oil are good for pmt and are natural.

Discuss with GP I'm no expert but she is very young to start her periods. Just check out that everything is OK.

Bashful- Very silent in my house growing up from both parents, I never knew what they were when I started and was terrified so we've always been really open. I'm hoping to take her shopping for some bits and let her pick some things out.

I called her GP and the nurse said not to worry but I'm unsure whether to speak to someone again.

I would want GP to say ok. My friends daughter had signs of puberty at 8 ( but no periods) and they put her on hormone treatment till 11. From a psychological perspective I think 8 is too young. At my school we don’t teach about periods etc till yr5 ( 9-10). Bless her

Usually children start periods early have had other signs of puberty. They are tall in height, breasts - albeit small, body hair and yes to the moods.

It sounds very unusual for your dd who is small for her age, you don't say if physically she has been through puberty? Because they are so light and based on my assumption (correct me if I'm wrong) she hasn't physically matured I'd definitely be wanting a second opinion.

If they refuse contact practice manager and say they cannot assess your child for a puberty issue over the phone without seeing her.

It sounds as though your dd is coping really well but I'd also agree with making an appointment with the gp. When I taught year 3, I had a mum let me know that her dd was going through early puberty and might possibly start her period while she was in my class. The girl in question was very tall for her age and was starting to show some signs of physical change. As your dd is small for her age and not showing any other signs of puberty, it does seem a little unusual for her periods to be starting early.

Thanks everyone, I think I do need to speak to her GP. She is probably slightly small height for her age and very slim, no breast changes although she is sore across her chest. No other physical changes for puberty at all which is what was worrying me. She was 8 (2 months from being 9) when she first began. Just so incredibly young. I'm going to call the doctors today.

'Normal' age for beginning puberty in girls is between 8 and 13. It's not usually considered 'precocious' unless below the age of 8. So your GP would probably not refer you to endocrinology, which is the dept that deals with precocious puberty (hormones)

But it would still be a good idea to try and get at least a phone appointment with a GP, perhaps a female so that your DD feels more comfortable discussing it, so that they can tell you if there's anything you should look out for ('red flags') and tell you what meds etc are available if she should need them. Her notes will then be updated about her puberty so that anyone else who sees her will know the details without you having to explain stuff again.

(I work at a GP surgery and see this information all the time)

Well done on cultivating such a great open relationship with your daughter

Hey op, she may need hormone treatment as without it may not reach her full height potential.

Good luck