Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

My 10 year old DD has bleeding nipples

48 replies

CarofromWton · 05/02/2009 14:29

I have posted this problem before but didn't get any replies, so I'm hoping someone out there will be able to reassure me this time.

DD1 (10) started her periods a couple of weeks ago and has for some time before that had a very small discharge of blood from her nipples every now and again. She also says her nipples are sore when this happens. I'm sure it's linked to puberty, but her breasts are not at all developed yet.

Since she started her periods this bleeding from the nipples has become more frequent and yesterday she bled enough to make quite large patches of blood on her school shirt.

Obviously I shall make an appointment with the doctor but in the meantime does anyone have any experience of this please?

OP posts:

morningpaper · 11/02/2009 14:06

Can I suggest that you ask your GP to have her seen at the local children's unit? They are trained to take blood from children and it really shouldn't cause distress. They took blood from my hyper-sensitive DD without her even flinching - some complicated manouvres so she couldn't see what was happening. Perhaps that would be a way forward? It might be more helpful for her to be treated as a child patient, to be honest.

bodiddly · 11/02/2009 14:22

my dfil has a needle phobia and is given valium before he goes for blood tests etc.... it may be worth getting something from the dr and giving it to her without her knowing (wrong i know) and then just taking her ... at least then she will be slightly chilled out and you stand more of a chance!

LazyLinePainterJane · 11/02/2009 16:43

I think mp makes a very good point. If she is afraid of the blood test (which it seems she is if she was calm before, accepted a bribe and then freaked out at the last minute) maybe she should be seen by someone who specialises in children.

I suppose we can all empathise with a nurse who snaps, we have all been there but I would not have been pleased, TBH. If your daughter is scared I don't imagine someone shouting at her about it is going to do her any favours when it comes to doctors or more tests.

I really hope you sort something out. Maybe try some breast pads in her bra? I know you said you were cutting up sanitary pads but the Tommee Tippee pads are shaped properly and they have sticky pads on as well so they should stay in place. Poor girl, let us know how you get on

morningpaper · 12/02/2009 12:51

how are things today?

Nontoxic · 12/02/2009 12:59

Have you tried using breastpads? The poor thing must be so embarrassed in school.
I still wear them 5 years after bf, as I get chaffing, although it doesn't bleed.
And the re-usable ones are better than disposables - if her skin has become sensitive the disposables can be too drying.

Original poster

CarofromWton · 12/02/2009 22:07

Hi everyone - sorry I've been a while but I work long hours on Weds & Thurs and I have only just logged on again!

Thanks for all the replies. I have bought some breastpads from Boots today for DD to use when she's at school. Today she claims she hasn't had any bleeding but she's still sore in that area.

My mom knows a paediatrician and has managed to get an appointment for DD to go and see her tomorrow afternoon at her clinic, where she will examine her for any lumps etc. I suppose we're lucky to get seen that quickly but I'm also worried because the paed suggested that the cause may not be hormonal. I'm hoping she's wrong - after all, this problem didn't start until DD started her periods so it seems more than a coincidence to me.

Anyway I shall keep you posted. I really appreciate all your kind words and suggestions.

OP posts:

Original poster

CarofromWton · 12/02/2009 22:15

We also have an appointment with the GP on Monday so I shall suggest the referral to a children's unit. The valium (or even a mallet!) might be a good idea too.

Forgot to say the blood test results came back today but the hospital could only do the blood count test - not enough blood to do the other tests.

On the positive side, DD has had no bleeding today and actually went to her swimming/life-saving class tonight with no problems!

OP posts:

bodiddly · 13/02/2009 19:11

I was wondering whether some you had tried giving her some lansinoh to put on them when they are sore to help ease the pain. It works wonders on most of us when we have cracking when breastfeeding so may help!

SobranieCocktail · 13/02/2009 19:16

I'm late in on this thread but just wanted to offer some sympathy. Sounds like you've all had a really tough time. Hope everything continues to improve

Original poster

CarofromWton · 13/02/2009 21:16

Hi again,

I've not actually heard of lansinoh but thanks for the tip bodiddly - I suppose you can get it at the chemist's?

DD has had another blood-free day but she says her breasts are a bit sore. The paed's appointment has been put off until Monday afternoon so no news on that yet. However I feel a little better today because a nurse (family friend) told me that she has heard of this happening before in young girls and she says it's definitely linked to puberty.

It's a bit of a guessing game without the blood test results, but we'll see what happens on Monday...

Sobranie - thanks too for your post. I haven't told many people about this in RL, so it really helps to get support on MN.

OP posts:

bodiddly · 13/02/2009 21:32

here

Original poster

CarofromWton · 13/02/2009 21:43

Thanks bodiddly - I'll check with the doc on Monday and will buy it then.

OP posts:

Chaotica · 13/02/2009 21:48

Have you ruled out the other poss causes of bleeding? I had mastitis twice before I had children - once from the mumps virus. And that caused a lot of bleeding (and was v.sore). Is there any chance she's been exposed to mumps (or perhaps other things - am not a doctor, so wouldn't like to guess)?

Original poster

CarofromWton · 13/02/2009 22:05

Chaotica - anything's a possibility at this stage (particularly without blood test results). I tend to veer towards the hormonal cause because the bleeding from her nipples started within a few days of her first period.

The more I think about it the more I doubt all my ideas! I was even starting to think that maybe DD didn't start her periods at all and it's all something else entirely eg blood disorder???

With the mastitis you had was there blood from both nipples which actually pours down the body? Sorry everyone - TMI.

OP posts:

sausagenmash · 13/02/2009 22:13

Hello Caro

IME (am a nurse) I think hold off on getting bloods from the GP - get a paediatrician's expert opinion, as they are more than likely wanting to repeat them anyway. Ask them, or the GP, for a referral to a paediatric endocrinologist (children's hormone Dr). A girl at the age of 10, with no breast development is unusual, and I haven't heard of the bleeding nipples. Whereabouts in the country are you?

sausagenmash · 13/02/2009 22:23

Sorry - what I meant to say was a girl at th age of 10 with no breast development but who has started her periods is unusual..

Original poster

CarofromWton · 13/02/2009 22:26

I'm in West Midlands/South Staffs area. Thanks for the advice - I'll take the recommendation to the doctor's with me.

Am a bit more worried again now - I seem to be getting v mixed messages from health professionals! Whilst DD has not developed breasts she has always been v tall and mature for her age (people often mistake her for about 14) and I have noticed other 'teenage' type changes in her for over a year now, such as spots, greasy hair and definitely moodiness. I guess I'm just hoping she's early for everything and it's not something more sinister.

OP posts:

Chaotica · 13/02/2009 22:27

When I had the mumps-related mastitis there was a lot of blood on both sides (tmi - sorry). It took long enough to clear up that I was tested for a lot of other nastier things just in case.

Original poster

CarofromWton · 13/02/2009 22:30

My best friend at school (many years ago) was 9 when she started her periods and she was short, petite and had no breast development at all. I wondered if it has more to do with genetics ie when your mom, sister etc started. Having said that all the females in our close family all started at 13 or later!

OP posts:

sausagenmash · 14/02/2009 08:55

Hello again Caro - I don't think its anything sinister - and its also reassuring to know that she has other puberty changes (spots, greasy hair, moodiness etc!) 10 is a bit early, but not SO terribly early - girls can start puberty as young as 8 these days and it can go untreated! (this is my specialist field!) Genetics CAN have a factor, but not always so - I was 15 when I started, but my Mum was 12 - theres always other factors to consider too. Eg, I was on steroids for my asthma for years, so that stunted my growth and 'helped' with my delayed puberty! There's always diet, race, and all sorts of things too. Then again, things can just 'happen'. I have so many girls in my clinic asking when their periods will start, and the answer is always 'I don't know!' Worth getting the bleeding nipples checked out, but I'm sure the Drs will just reassure you - fingers crossed and keep us posted xx ps - you can CAT me if you want to go into it a bit further on email

Original poster

CarofromWton · 14/02/2009 21:28

Thanks sausage - you're very kind! I'm lucky that an expert noticed this thread.

Another day of no bleeding (hooray) but DD says her nipples/breasts are still very tender to touch, even very light touch. She mentioned tonight that she thinks she will have another period soon as she feels like she wants to cry a lot! Unfortunately that doesn't seem to improve with age

OP posts:

Original poster

CarofromWton · 17/02/2009 10:59

Hi everyone - an update. We're all feeling a little relieved today.

Whilst the GP yesterday was very uncommital (just kept saying "yes - it's very unusual" to every question I asked) he has referred DD onto an endocrinologist unit, which she will go to on 18th March. They will want blood tests again, so I hope they've got some good calming methods there!

When I took her to the afternoon appointment (paediatrician) she was much more reassuring. She thoroughly examined DD's breasts and said there are no lumps or anything else which may be worrying. After answering a load of questions the paed concluded that the bleeding nipples is extremely rare but it is related to her periods and the hormones in DD's body. She suspects that the bleeding will eventually peter out to nothing when her cycle settles down. She recommended that we keep to the appointment the GP made in March but that we needn't worry about anything more serious.

What a relief!

Thanks again to everyone on MN who has sent their advice or just kind words - you have been a rock through this very anxious time!

I'll keep you updated of any changes. In the meantime I'll try and cut DD some slack with her moods as she's obviously having a really hard time with her periods.

Fun being a woman isn't it?

OP posts:

Hammies1 · 18/11/2021 02:57

Any update on this ? Is she ok now?
My daughter has started to experience this. Aged 11

Flip

1 2