My 10 yo daughter just told me she saw light red color when she wiped. I discussed with her about periods and

Question

made her feel very comfortable. She also knew about this before hand, so she was not scared.

But I am!! I am freaking out and don't know why! Okay, I have a couple of questions. (Please don't call me naieve) 1) Ten seems extremely young to me. Is this a normal age? It seems when I was a kid 13 was the age. Why so young these days? 2) She doesn't have any hair growing, nor real breast buds or anything. She's slightly heavy (not much), but there are no other signs of puberty. Doesn't all that stuff happen first?

Thank you. I need a drink or something. Take a few deep breaths. OMG This really came out of the blue for me!

Answer 1

Puberty usually occurs between the ages of 9 and 16 but can come as early as 8 and as late as 19. Nowadays, the average age is 10! No one really knows why it seems to be occurring earlier these days...and it could be that it is just more public/talked about now than it was years ago.

Usually the first sign is the budding of the breast and the onset of the menstrual cycle causes puberty to progress faster. There are many signs of puberty but rather than list them all for you here, please refer to this website which not only tells you what they are but goes into some detail.
http://www.drpaul.com/adolescent/pubertygirls.html

I have another thing for you to consider since you mentioned that you really don't think she has started to "bud" yet. What about the possibility of hemorrhoids? If she has been "straining" she might have the pink for that reason. You might want to talk to her to see if she has been having problems with her BMs recently. Just another possibility....

I know it is hard to realize that your 10 year old might be entering puberty. At that young age, it is hard to deal with the fact that she would be physically capable of pregnancy. Just be sure to maintain open communication. Don't lecture but openly discuss things as she asks and, as she gets older, don't be afraid to let her know how you feel about premarital sex.

Now, take those few breaths, get that drink, and read the link I provided above. You sound like a very caring mother who discusses things with her daughter so you will handle this well. It just surprised you since you didn't expect to face it at her age. You will be fine!

Answer 2

Some time ago it seemed that 13 was the "regular" age to begin the periods. However that was just the average, the range is from 8-16. While there are patterns that we seem to follow ie: breast buds, public hair etc. there is no proper order or puberty.

Try your best to be calm and discuss things with your daughter. The best thing that you can do is establish open communication. If you work on it now, it will last throughout your lives.

Congratulations and keep in mind that things will work out fine.

Answer 3

Yep, mom it happens younger these days. It is not unusual.

Menarch (the beginning of menstruation) usually happens in "Stage 4" of puberty, but can happen late in Stage 3 as well. While there are no real "signs" of an impending first period, there are signs that may let you know when it is likely to happen. Use the following guide to see where in puberty you are, and you'll get an idea of when your first period may happen.

Five Stages of Puberty - Girls

1 Age Range: Usually 8-11
In Stage 1 there are no outside signs of development, but a girl's ovaries are enlarging and hormone production is beginning.

2 Age Range: Usually 8-14. Average: 11-12
The first sign is typically the beginning of breast growth, including "breast buds." A girl may also grow considerable height and weight. The first signs of pubic hair start out fine and straight, rather than curly.

3 Age Range: Usually 9-15. Average: 12-13
Breast growth continues, and pubic hair coarsens and becomes darker, but there still isn't a lot of it. Your body is still growing, and your vagina is enlarging and may begin to produce a clear or whitish discharge, which is a normal self-cleansing process. Some girls get their first menstrual periods late in this stage.

4 Age Range: Usually 10-16. Average: 13-14
Pubic hair growth takes on the triangular shape of adulthood, but doesn't quite cover the entire area. Underarm hair is likely to appear in this stage, as is menarche. Ovulation (release of egg cells) begins in some girls, but typically not in a regular monthly routine until Stage 5.

5 Age Range: Usually 12-19. Average: 15
This is the final stage of development, when a girl is physically an adult. Breast and pubic hair growth are complete, and your full height is usually attained by this point. Menstrual periods are well established, and ovulation occurs monthly.

Answer 4

I started when I was about 10, with no other signs of puberty...they started quickly after though. I was very athletic at that age, so I thought that's what caused me to start earlier than my friends. If she starts getting bad cramps or serious blood clots, then I'd say go to the doctors forsure, but I can't see going just because she's ten and having her period.
PS, kids are having sex much younger also, so perhaps getting her on birth control now would be a good idea...you could use this as an excuse to get her to see a doctor if you are still concerned about her getting her period so young.

Answer 5

Wow, you certainly seemed to handle things well in her presence. Some parents get so weird talking about sex and reproductive issues. It's ridiculous 'cuz the reality is, if they can't talk to you, they'll talk to other kids and get misinformed, feel guilty about it, and just get the wrong message about it all. So, good for you. Really.

I would call a Nurse help line and just ask about her age and menarche. You are sure it came from her vagina. Meaning, not a hemmorhoid or anything?? Not sure where you live, but usually there are help telephone lines, that provide basic medical info, in the front of the yellow pages. Could try them. If this fails, make an appt with your doc to ask about it. It'll put your mind at ease. Ten years old sounds pretty normal though.

I think your anxiety about this has to do with what it means, in terms of developmental milestones. Your baby is becoming a woman. Do you have another Mom you can talk to about this?? I think you'll feel soooo much better talking to someone face-to-face or voice-to-voice about it. Sometimes, especially with the kind of stuff you can't control, you just need to vent.

Have a glass of wine and then get on the horn to a girlfriend or your mom. You'll feel better after the conversation.

Answer 6

I(myself)was 9-1/2 years old....my youngest daughter is 10 now, has hair in certain places,but has not started her period yet...she claims she gets cramps every month,and it's funny because,she complains about it at the same time I get ready to start my period....ther is soooo many steriods put into the animals that we eat,it makes these young children start faster,and mature faster...yes, I don't understand why she would not have signs of puberty yet and would start,,,are you sure she knows for sure red color?maybe it is an infection of some sort, I would take her to the doctor....

Answer 7

I got my period when i was 10 too. It will be fine. I actually cried when I started because I had no idea what was going on. Seems like you told her what she needed to know, so just be there to support her. and about breast or hair, I started with both of those after I started and I am fine. Your daughter will be fine, but if you want reassurance, take her to doctor to make yourself feel comfortable.

Answer 8

You're right ! take a deep breath!! Researchers have found out that children reach puberty at youger age(8-9) now than before. there are lot of explanations like food and so forth...keep an eye on the bleeding(pinkish, lighter, heavier)..

Answer 9

It would seem that kids are hitting puberty younger and younger due to all the hormones and stuff they eat. I would imagine her being overweight could affect her hormones too.
What you can do is call her pediatrician and ask some questions - like if any type of imbalance could cause any type of female problems.

Answer 10

I work at an elementary/middle school There are fifth grade and even fourth grade girls who have started menstruating already. I would think that there would be other signs first, but I'm not a doctor so I really don't know.