odd start to menstruation in DD age 11

[wingsandstrings]

My DD is almost 12. In february she got her period for the first time - she also had covid for the first time, I don't know if that was related or coincidental that they happened in the same week. This is younger than I had anticipated her starting menstruating (I was 13) but not unusually young I guess. She had another period a couple of weeks ago, and it was heavy and painful . . . . which surprised me, when mine started it was very light for months. Anyway, the day before yesterday her period started again, and it's again heavy. It seems very odd to have had only about 9/10 days between periods. I know that at the start of menstruation periods can be irregular, but 2 in 2 weeks is weird. DD is a bit upset - by the pain, by the amount of blood (not excessive but more than she had anticipated I guess) and by how unpredictable it's been. Does this experience mirror your DDs'? Do you think I should take her to the GP?

DD bled every fortnight for about 7 months when she stated her periods (again aged 12/13).

GP said completely normal, they were just about to intervene when it stopped

Gosh, thanks 'Matchingcollarandcuffs' that's helpful. Comforting to know that it's fairly normal . . . . while being a bit horrifying that she could have 6 months of this. I bought a big pack of period pants today - pricey but a good solution if she doesn't know if/when her period might start at school.

Biggest problem we had was swimming, so bought her some bikini bottoms which helped.

Also floradix as her iron got a bit low, GP is a big fan

My periods were heavy from the beginning

Yeah it is normal, my dd was similar. She's 16 now and they're still heavy and come every 20 days.

My DD got her periods from 11 and they were heavy, painful and quite irregular. I really felt for her poor thing.

My periods were very heavy and very irregular right from the start. Its crap and I feel for her but not concerning unless it carries on too long.

My first periods were about two weeks long, and irregular cycles, 3-5 weeks or so. By the time I was 18 they were much better and by my late twenties I’d defaulted to 5 days every 28-30 days, so the classic “normal”.

It is normal and doesn't necessarily mean that they will come this frequently for 6 months. (I remember bleeding for a week, stopping for a week, and so on, but only for a month or two, then back to more like a monthly cycle and never got the extra periods again. Hopefully this is a one-off for your daughter!)

The period pants sound like a great investment which should give her more confidence.

My dd is 12. Got her first period in January - also coincided with her having Covid! Had another about a month later, now waiting... Neither massively heavy but she felt really rough, abdo pain, bloated, nauseous and tired. I know it's very variable in the beginning but I was surprised how unwell she felt with them.

I would blame Covid. My periods were hideous post vaccines.

Mine was heavy and sore from the start too. Feminex and a hot water bottle. And of course a bar of chocolate

My first six years from 13 every 21 days heavy and agony the pill sorted that out even when still a virgin I broke up with him I stayed on it.

Very heavy (fainting, low iron and unusual paleness) and irregular, incredibly painful. Also debilitating migraines associated with my cycle.

The only thing that helped was pregnancy and going on the mini pill, still on it now alongside hrt as the migraines have got worse again during menopause

My dd had had her periods for a year and they were fairly regular from the start. Then she had covid which really seemed to mess up her cycle (14 day cycles for about 2 months) then covid vaccine x 2 which both seemed to have a similar effect. She’s finally seeming to be back to normal now 7 months later.

I was 9 when mine started. Sports day in year 6! Terrified me! I think it's fairly normal for them to be heavier when they first start and then settle down over time. Stress can also really unsettle it. Mine stopped for months in year 9 with SATS and again at GCSE years. Completely normal according to the GP.

Just jumping on, as my DD is almost 12, and I'm expecting her to start soon.

Please can I ask which period pants your DDs are using? I would like to be prepared.

My Dsis started at 10 and had heavy, painful periods from the jump.

I started at 10 and they were pretty consistent from the get go. I think everyone is different but if she shows signs of anaemia night be worth a call to the GP

Sorry to hijack but what Sanpro do your pre teens use? My daughter is 10 this year and showing start of puberty and she asked about swimming. Can she use tampons? I remember finding them really uncomfortable and I was 14!
She loves to swim

Periods are often irregular and unpredictable for the first year or so. I had one then nothing for six months, then every six weeks, then heavy, then light.

They balanced out eventually. I was 10, my sister 8 so 12 is perfectly normal.

I was 11, I guess we are all different. I was totally surprised as I hadn't been given a heads up. My mother issues are a WHOLE other post.

It's lovely you are enquiring and helping her. We women get the shit end of the stick for sure.

Mine were heavy from the start when I was 11, 9 days long and I had to change a menstrual cup every 4ish hours. At 23 they’re now 7 days long and I could go 8 hours if needs be

@elvislives2012

Sorry to hijack but what Sanpro do your pre teens use? My daughter is 10 this year and showing start of puberty and she asked about swimming. Can she use tampons? I remember finding them really uncomfortable and I was 14! She loves to swim

My DD started at 9 and was really unsure about tampons. She is in a competitive swimming club and uses Modibodi swimming pants. They work really well for her.

Oh thanks fairy! I'll look them up- that'll be amazing. Had no idea they did swim pants. Awesome