9 year old dd - periods starting or something else?

[lottieandmia]

Since yesterday dd has been getting watery brownish discharge which looks like before a period comes on. It does not have any smell or anything.

I really wasn't expecting her to start her periods yet though because she's still tiny and I started mine at 14, plus her 11 year old sister still hasn't started yet. In the last year though she has got hips and put on a bit of weight - she definitely has a more womanly shape now, very small breast buds but no pubic hair. I've noticed that she's been hormonal.

Is this common? Do I need to take her to the GP?

I started my periods at 9, the first time it happened it was exactly as you describe. I went to tell my Mum I'd pooed myself , and she told me what it was.

I would take her along as she is quite young, you may find she has this and then nothing again for months.

SoulTrain - that's exactly what she said to me! I was concerned about the possibility that it's an infection although it doesn't seem likely to me. I did think that this might just be a little start and she'll have nothing for months.

She is supposed to be going swimming today at her friend's house which she was really looking forward to and now I suppose she won't be able to which is a shame.

My first period was a brown discharge and then I started properly about three weeks later. I appreciate everyone is different, but do get yourself prepared for the next one. Hopefully it will happen in the holidays so you can be there to support her.

Thanks Tigerblue - I have bought some pads and shown her how to use them. I had (wrongly it seems) just assumed that we wouldn't have to worry about this for a good few years as both my mother and I started at 14. Tbh I can't see what else it would be though and I will have to keep an eye on my other dd who is 11. But we'll be ready for the next time for sure.

I can well understand why it has taken you by surprise, especially as you have an older daughter whom you could assume would start first. Hopefully she is coping okay with it.

Lottieandmia - my youngest who is 9 had the same thing last week and we also thought it was her period but she also had a few things along with it stung when she weed and weed a lot. In the end she had antibiotics for a UTI and it got better near on straightaway.

Just thought I'd let you know x

Thanks t8 - I probably will take her to the doctor to get it checked out. She doesn't have any pain when weeing though.

She saw some of her school friends the other day and one of them said she had had the same thing happen to her recently. So maybe it isn't that uncommon anyway. The discharge she had only lasted over night anyway - it seems to have stopped now.

I remember with my oldest this happened with her I think a bit later then stopped then she didn't start till 11 1/2. X

Why don't you take her to the drs- they will send her along to a paediatric endocrinologist to make sure.
It does seem odd she has no other signs of development.

Mine started at 9, common in our family at that age so I was prepared and expecting it.
A trip to gp if your concerned won't hurt