Periods at 9

[sparkla]

My daughter is about to start year 5, she has all the physical symptoms of puberty (first started 12months ago). She's under consultant endocrinology care as referred by the GP who frightened me into thinking something was wrong. Dd has had a bone age X-ray which showed slight raised growth, 3-9months ahead of chronological age. She's 9y3m and 4ft10. Today she had a second ultrasound which showed ovaries had grown but womb lining thin. The radiologist was unable to comment about how far she is off from starting but I'm sure it'll be before Xmas. Dd is fully prepared with a little bag for school but she's terrified about it all. I imagine she's also going to be the first of her peers. I know 8+ is "normal" but 9 seems so young. How truly common is it to start this young? FWIW she's my first and I was 11.5.

I used to babysit for a girl who started her periods at 9. She was obviously much more physically developed than her peers but it didn't seem to bother her. She took it in her stride and understood that it was something that everyone has to go through. If your daughter does start her periods soon I would reccommend that you talk to the school as they may not have the facilities in place for menstrating girls. You should check that the school have sanitary bins in the toilets and ask if they have a supply of sanitary towels your daughter can access if she runs out.

Agree with Marinetta I’m sure you have but speak to the school they normally really supportive and hekpful. I started puberty early also and felt horrid but down the line I look back and was greatful that my mum spoke openly about it and I knew what to expect. When I started puberty and boobs were growing I was like covering my ears listening but I’m so greatful now

I think I was 10 and my sister was 9/10. She was at primary school. I was just going to start secondary school.

My DD(8) going into year 4 is showing signs of puberty. She's developing breasts and hips as well as body hair.

I'm sending her to school this term with a pretty floral wet bag containing spare pants and a pad. I've explained to her what happens when you get your period and that it's absolutely fine to talk to a teacher about if she's worried and to ask to phone home if she needs to. Luckily the teaching assistant in year 4 is lovely and she already knows her well so I'll give her a heads up it might happen.

DD(11) is moving to high school but is showing no signs, I'm also sending her with a wet bag in case.

Hello another 9 year old here. At the time, the biggest issue was a lack of bins at the school. However, once my parents had spoken to the school a sanitary bin was installed in one of the toilets. It might be best to check that these are in place now as I remember Mum teaching me where to put said items and being in a panic that there weren't any present. We began swimming lessons that year too. Unfortunately my periods lasted 3 weeks so I could only make 1 week out of every 4 and was berated by the swimming teacher thinking I was making excuses so maybe worth giving them a heads up. My swimming teacher was a bit of a dragon and questioned whether I was writing the notes and requesting to be excused due the young age and that the notes extended past the usual week. Unfortunately when I did start I had quite a few issues and was diagnosed with endometriosis within the year. There was a bit of a to do with the hospital as to whether I should be under the gynae or paediatrics due to my age, it was decided that gynae was more suitable but lots of hoops and forms (I presume safeguarding when I look back now) to go through. Just a few things from my experience at starting younger than average :)

I started just before i was 9 and my DD who is about to turn 8 is showing the first signs of puberty. (Shes going in to year 3)

My only advice is to just reassure her that it happens to everyone, nothing to be embarassed about, but check the school has appropriate facilities, when i started in year 4 the toilets for year 4 and 5 didn't have sanitary bins for instance.

A quiet word with her favoured teacher or TA wouldn't do any harm either

Great advice. She said Year 5 and 6 share toilets so I hope that means they'll be bins. I've told her when she goes back to school next week to look in each cubicle to see if one is there, if not I'll request one. Her teacher this year is male (he's lovely and she's so excited to have him but obviously nervous to broach this with him) so I'll talk to the phase leader who I know well. Poor thing having all this chucked at her so early. I pray we get to double figures but with her birthday not until May I doubt it. She's a bean pole - wears age 7 skirts and shorts!

New to netmums, I am a single mum to a 9 year old girl, today she pulled me aside whilst cooking dinner and said she had blood when she wiped after going to the loo.. I totally panicked inside but kept calm for her sake put her in the bath nothing in underwear and no other signs to suggest a period... please any other explanations??

@Jodie45 how much blood? What colour? I know it sounds strange but bright or dark blood?