Blood in knickers age 9

[trembleandwear]

I wondered if anyone has experience of this - I saw blood in the knickers of my daughter aged 9. I don't think she has started menstruation though it could be rough-tumble gymnastics etc. But I'm worried - it was after she came back from her dads house. He was emotionally abusive to me but i struggle to believe he would harm his own daughter in this way, I can't get it out of my mind. Does this happen sometimes at her age? Hadn't mentioned any pain or anything..

I started my period at 9, my friend at 8, and at that age it often only lasts a day or two like my friend or two weeks of heavy spotting like me and can be really irregular. If you are worried talk to her intially and if necessary contact social services

I started my period when I was 10yo, there was no set cycle but I remember noticing blood in my knickers and crying to my Mum on the phone as I was at my Dad's house for the weekend. However if you've got any concerns, it's best to speak to your Daughter without leading the conversation. Maybe ask if she had noticed the blood in her knickers, maybe explain why it could be there (a visit from Mother Nature)?

Are there any other physical signs she's going through puberty? Periods are usually the last thing to happen after other signs.

Thanks yes I will speak to her - I didn't start my periods until 14 and I think timing tends to run in families - but perhaps this misled me and it's just that. Phew hope so!

9 years old can get periods.

Has she given any explanation? Ask her about it...what happened? Does it hurt? Has it happened before? Etc.

Take to GP for examination and if you are really concerned report to police/ss.

Girls can start puberty early or it could well be rough and tumble but you are right not to ignore esp if she has unsupervised visits to a male of questionable character.

Sometimes PCOS, thyroid issues, or weight gain can prompt earlier or later periods than other family. Talk to her and if it’s a period get her to the GP

I had this once when I was 9 after horse riding, my mother told me I'd started my period. Only lasted a few hours, never happened again until my periods started when I was nearly 14. In retrospect it was probably my hymen- if your DD does physical rough play/sport, could it be that?

Thanks - I guess it feels worrying as I only spotted it when going the washing today and she is back at her dads house now so can't speak to her in person. I think it is probably nothing but I can't help thinking of it. No other signs of puberty/ not at all I would say. Could still be broken hymen from gymnastics or infection perhaps.. hard not to be able to ask her right now but I don't think I should do it over the phone

I remember being on a climbing frame when I was younger and slipped, landed hard with the bar right between my legs. Caused a spot of blood but I didn't tell my parents. It could be perfectly innocent.

Not sure about it running in families.

We had twins at my old Brownie unit. When they left at 10 one had been having periods for maybe 6 mths. The other one hadn't started (we knew because of sleepovers, swimming, days out etc).

I agree @tryingtobebold she has a lot of climbing frame antics and something like that seems most likely

As soon as I read this I thought is she getting ready to start her period soon and she’s spotting. Or has she even cut her bum? It’s funny someone else said about horse riding as when I was about 9 or 10 I had blood after horse riding once and it would make sense too as you said about gymnastics. Definitely speak to her though. By the way I was 11 when I started my period and my mum was 14! So my mum got the shock of her life as she thought I’d be more around her age haha

@trembleandwear it hurt so bad, and the blood worried me as a child, (before periods had started).. but as there was no more I didn't want to bother my parents with it.

I agree in that you should wait till shes back at yours.. it needs to be a conversation in person

My mum started at 14 I got mine at 12. It doesn't always follow a pattern.

This happened to me around the same age. I think I slipped and landed on my bum. Maybe dislodged some hymen. Was taken to doctor etc but it wasn't period- never happened again until 4 years later when period started....

I didn't start my periods until 14 and I think timing tends to run in families - but perhaps this misled me and it's just that

Not necessarily. I was 13y and DD was 10y.

I had it as a child with a really bad cough too, like whole body cough.

It's really common for 9 year olds to start their periods these days. Please try not to worry and have a chat with her when she's back.

Think there Isco some evidence of periods and menopause being relatively early or late running in families, but many other factors too. Children are physically mature younger now than in the past.
Just say you noticed and ask her. Don't rule out sexual abuse, don't suggest it but listen and tell her she can tell you anything. If she doesn't know about periods tell her now and use it as opportunity to talk about keeping safe, sexual abuse, reproduction and personal hygiene (not all at once obvs). Look at nspcc website and keep calm. Good luck.

My DD was 10 when she noticed blood in her knickers. It only lasted two days and we sort of had a little celebration. She was excited though and came running through straight away to show me

A few months later had to go to doc for something else and I mentioned it, she said it is normal now, better nutrition etc, but as DD was so skinny and young, it was likely to be 3 years before she had another one! Pheww!

I'm pleased DD can say she's started her periods, but hasn't really, but most of the other girls have (they are 11 now) and you know what bullies girls can be about periods.

Obviously I don't know your ex, but I really doubt he has abused her. Use it as an excuse to congratulate her on her periods starting and ask a few delicate questions maybe.

It is certainly not unusual now though, I was shocked.

I was just nine , and that's many years ago , I understand that girls are getting earlier each generation .

If you google Tanner stages, it shows the stages of development in puberty. If she is Tanner stage 1, 2 or 3, then i think it unlikely to be a period.
I had a minor freak accident when I was a child, a boy prodded me with a garden cane and it caught me between the legs and must have broken my hymen as I had some blood spotting, so it could be due to some accident, or falling on bars etc as pps have said.
You could ask her ?

trembleandwear,
I have to be honest but I find your comment about your daughters dad strange, why would you even think like that??
My daughter is 9 and I am separated from her dad as he was verbally and emotionally abusive to me but he adores our child and no matter how much I dislike him, thoughts like that would never come into my mind.

Thanks everyone I will ask her. I just wanted to know if it happened to anyone else. I'm perhaps over worrying !