Period or something else?

[walking burp cloth]

My 9 yr old dd told me the other day that her bottom was bleeding. She said when she wiped there was a little blood on the tp. I asked her if maybe it was coming from her vagina, and she said she is pretty sure is was her bum. Well, yesterday aparently she had a little blood in her underwear. She is at her dads house, so I have not seen it or been able to talk to her much about it. I plan on giving her a call tonight.

I am wondering if it is her period? She does not have any other signs of puberty. No hair or breastbuds. She is not excited about starting her period, and so she may hope it is coming from her bum, when it really isn't.

How do I find out for sure, and what do I do if her bum is bleeding? Does she need to be checked out right away?

[MusicianDad]

First, it is possible it is her period. How long is she at her dad?

Second, if not I would recommend getting checked out. Probably minor but it's better safe then sorry.

[walking burp cloth]

She will be home tomorrow after school.

[MusicianDad]

When she gets home you will probably have a better idea of what's going on.

[Adele_Mommy]

It is possible it is her period, but I think highly unlikely if you have seen no other signs of puberty.

If the blood is just trace amounts and goes away completely soon, I wouldn't be too concerned. It is possible it is from a small fissure in her anus. I would ask your dd if she feels any pain or stinging when she goes to the bathroom or when she wipes.

If it is more than just a trace and/or doesn't stop very quickly or if she is feeling pain more than just a stinging when she goes to the bathroom, I would get her checked by a doctor.

Note: My dd is 9 and IMHO nowhere near getting her period. Quite awhile ago she had traces of blood in her underpants and I was a little concerned, but it appeared to be an irritation as I suggested above and the bleeding stopped quickly.

[Oubliette8]

It seems unlikely to be her period if she hasn't shown any other signs of puberty. When I was that age, I fell off, er, rather, on, my bike and hit myself between the legs pretty good. There was definitely bleeding for a day or two. I didn't tell my parents as I was mortified, and it cleared up on its own. If its coming from her bum, its more likely to be a small fissure. Normally fissures hurt, although when I had one the only symptom was bleeding, and sometimes itching. I would ask if she could have injured the area in any way- did she fall down? Did somebody hurt her there? I would also ask if she's having any trouble with poop- does it hurt? Has she been constipated? etc.

[ollyoxenfree]

In addition to the other good suggestions, I would also find out whether she's been eating beets for dinner. Sometimes there is a very simple explanation.