My 7 yr old started her period tonight - I'm concerned!

[tuscany123]

Nothing I can do until Mon morning, I'll take her to the pedi.  She is very ok with it, and I was careful not to worry her with my own concerns.  She turned 7 three wks ago.  But from what I'm reading, she seems very underweight to start her period.  She is tall for her age but falls within the low percentile of weight for her height.  She doesn't even weigh 60 lbs! (Could be even less, it's been a while since we recorded her weight)

I would be grateful for any insight any Mama's can give me.  Good or bad.  I need as much information as possible.  I know other health issues can cause bleeding that looks like a period, but I won't know anything more until the Dr sees her.

Trying not to worry.  

[Chloe'sMama]

no advice, just hugs.  

[lolar2]

Have you called the doctor's after-hours line?

[Kristen]

Oh my.... I wouldn't have assumed it was a period!  If it was my 7 year old I would definitely call the after hours line.  If your doctor doesn't have one I'm sure there's somewhere you can call in your area- ???  Keep up posted. Hugs

[sbgrace]

Don't answer this online but did she have the other signs of beginning puberty (development of chest, hair growth, etc.) prior to this?

I *think* all that happens first so if you've not seen it I would be thinking something other than period and be taking her in I think.

That's so young! I'm glad you were calm for her and she's taking it well!

[luv-my-boys]

Originally Posted by sbgrace 

Don't answer this online but did she have the other signs of beginning puberty (development of chest, hair growth, etc.) prior to this?

I *think* all that happens first so if you've not seen it I would be thinking something other than period and be taking her in I think.

That's so young! I'm glad you were calm for her and she's taking it well!

I agree with sbgrace that my first thought wouldnt necessarily be her menstrual cycle.  Has she noticed any other signs?  I think that having a frank talk with her about what is going on *down there* might be in order, sometimes vaginal infections can cause bleeding and a young girl wouldnt know what is *normal* and what isnt kwim? 
 

[pianojazzgirl]

In the absence of other signs of puberty for me this would warrant a weekend visit to a clinic or the ER. 

[tuscany123]

Thank's Mama's.  I have put in a call to the on-call Dr.  It's Sunday, lunch time, and will see what he/she advises.  Today DD said there was a tiny amount of blood when she wiped, and she says it stings when she goes.  No blood spots on her undies though today.  I'll update when I can.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Originally Posted by tuscany123 

Thank's Mama's.  I have put in a call to the on-call Dr.  It's Sunday, lunch time, and will see what he/she advises.  Today DD said there was a tiny amount of blood when she wiped, and she says it stings when she goes.  No blood spots on her undies though today.  I'll update when I can.

If it stings when she's going to the bathroom I might be thinking UTI?  I was prone to them as a child so that might be my first guess (although I never had bleeding with them, so I don't know).

[Lauren82]

If it burns when she pees, it's quite possible she has a UTI. Sometimes I get them so bad that I have blood when I wipe.

[AtYourCervices]

Is it possible she might have broken her hymen while exploring her body?

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by pianojazzgirl 

In the absence of other signs of puberty for me this would warrant a weekend visit to a clinic or the ER. 

agreed.

Though, with what you posted last, OP, it doesn't sound at all like a first period. 

[DaughterOfKali]

From the update, it sounds like an infection.  Hope she can get seen and tested.  Poor kid, that must be a scary thing to see at that age.

[Llyra]

I too would be thinking infection, or a broken hymen, rather than period-- unless the child was very clearly showing all the other signs of imminent menarche-- breast development, body hair, etc.

Not for nothing, but when my hymen first broke (I will spare you the details!) it bled, like spotting, for a day or so afterwards, and it stung quite a bit. I remember wondering if I was walking funny, because it hurt, and if people would notice. And a girl might easily have done that, in any number of ways.

[Sfcmama]

Originally Posted by Llyra 

AI too would be thinking infection, or a broken hymen, rather than period-- unless the child was very clearly showing all the other signs of imminent menarche-- breast development, body hair, etc.

Not for nothing, but when my hymen first broke (I will spare you the details!) it bled, like spotting, for a day or so afterwards, and it stung quite a bit. I remember wondering if I was walking funny, because it hurt, and if people would notice. And a girl might easily have done that, in any number of ways.

Ditto - on all accounts ;0)

Hugs to you, OP and congrats for creating an open relationship with DD, one in which she can come to you about these things!!!

[MommyTeesa]

I bled one day when I was 9, no puberty signs.  I don't remember stinging or anything, but it wasn't a UTI.  The dr. guessed I broke my hymen somehow, like falling on the bike? and no I wasn't exploring my body.  ;)  I really don't know what happened and that was that.  Got AF when I was 12.

[One_Girl]

Did she have a fall?  Even a small cut could sting.  If she had a really big poop she may have got a small cut on her rectum that is bleeding and she may be mistaking the source of the blood.  A cut there could also sting depending on how she sits when she pees.

[bmhpke96]

My 4 year old DD has had two UTIs in the last year and both times there was blood, so it could be that.

[Kreeblim]

Originally Posted by One_Girl 

 If she had a really big poop she may have got a small cut on her rectum that is bleeding and she may be mistaking the source of the blood.  A cut there could also sting depending on how she sits when she pees.

Second this.  Not to get into TMI territory but lets just say a fissure can easily rival a period for blood amount with no other cause but constipation.   

[mrsdocmartin]

This exact same thing happened to me at 9 too also got AF at 12.  GL mama!

Originally Posted by MommyTeesa 

I bled one day when I was 9, no puberty signs.  I don't remember stinging or anything, but it wasn't a UTI.  The dr. guessed I broke my hymen somehow, like falling on the bike? and no I wasn't exploring my body.  ;)  I really don't know what happened and that was that.  Got AF when I was 12.