9 year old period - no other signs of puberty

[Shopalolic]

I've just found some blood in my 9 year olds knickers, she has had absolutely no other puberty signs. She's very slight and does an active sport, is it likely to be a period? I'm quite shocked tbh! And sad as I've not even talked to her about them yet.

Are you sure it's not vaginitis? My daughter suffered from inflammation and infection in that area and would cause bleeding.

What colour is the blood?

Thanks, I've never heard of that. It's brown

I think periods before any other signs of growth/hair can be normal. While 9 is quite young it's not outside the realm of normal. Maybe make an appointment with a gp if you're not sure if it's her period. Bless her, must have been a shock for both of you!

It absolutely is!

Periods before any other signs of puberty are categorically not normal. The normal progression is first hair/odour, then breast budding, then periods. So if it was a period it would definitely need checking out. However, it may be vulvovaginitis. You also mention active in sport, so any chance of trauma? Sounds like a GP appointment would be a good idea.

I can only go by experience with my DD . She started her periods at 9 but she had tell tale signs in the year leading up to starting them like body hair , body odour and breasts growing . Her emotions were all over the place too . If this has come out of the blue I'd definitely get her checked out .

Dies she have any big spots? Some of them which more like boils can burst and give a fair amount of blood.
It is still something to go to GP with.

Thanks everyone, the only sign is she can have a bit of body odour after sport but nothing else, I will get her checked.

Could she have broken her hymen doing her active sports? That could cause a little blood.

Not at all an exceptional case. Please please make sure she is prepared.

Id definitely talk to GP. Whatever you read in the media about 9 being 'within normal age range' to start periods the fact remains its nonetheless very early, especially with few other real signs of puberty such as hair growth or budding. Especially if your daughter is also quite slight - period onset is absolutely linked to body weight.

I did think this but I think there's too much.
Thanks everyone.

Has she had any injuries? I remember about the same age I fell onto the bar on my bike (between my legs) I was bleeding, I presume with hindsight I broke my hymen causing a small amount of bleeding, didn’t actually start my period for another 5 years!

I dont think so but I'll check with her in the morning, she had done loads of gymnastics the night before though. I don't know whether to wait and see if it happens again or take her to get checked straight away.

Are you sure it isn't hymen? I broke mine at 10 trying to do the splits! I only remember a small spot of blood however.

I started my period at 10, have always been flat chested and no other ‘signs’. For me it’s normal to start at that age, but just because I did.

I started my periods at 9 too - it's unusual but it happens. I already had breasts, body hair etc though. I would just try and talk to her and explain it, and it will be fine.

I say small amount of bleeding but it actually was enough to make quite a big stain on my pants, I remember panicking when I seen it and crying to my mum thinking I was dying! I think it definitely is possible this is what it is especially if she does a lot of gymnastics.

I hope it is the hymen, I'm so shocked, had signs with my eldest daughter, this is totally out of the blue!
Thank you all

That’s what I was thinking. Lots of my ballet and riding friends had this.

Probably a good time to talk about periods etc with her incase it is her period and she will let you know if it happens again and doesn’t panic like I did!

And me. I had decent sized boobs at 10 though!

I will definitely talk to her.

Could be coming from her anus. Dd has bled a little with constipation.

If it's brown blood it sounds more like starting of a period.