How normal is it for an 8 year old to start her period?

Answer 1

That's in interesting question. I started mine at age nine and HATED it. I was also tall for my age, which I now understand is typical, but I didn't end up too short. That's supposed to happen if you go through puberty too early, according to the Magic Foundation. Their site has all the earmarks of being financially supported by sellers of human growth hormone, so take the information with a grain of salt:
http://www.magicfoundation.org/www/docs/146/

Puberty is already well under way when a girl starts to menstruate. This site says "any girl who menstruates before age 9 years should be evaluated by a pediatric endocrinologist."
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1882.htm
I trust the information from emedicine. This page was written by a professor of pediatrics from Washington University.

Most of the time girls with precocious puberty don't have any other problems, but those problems need to be ruled out. Sooo... if she were my daughter I'd make that doctor's appointment ASAP.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about it. I started my period when I was 9. I glanced at some of the other answers and there is no reason for you to think that something might be wrong with your (i'm assuming) your daughter. There are alot of chemicals and hormones that are put in food that causes this and some girls just develop a whole lot faster than others. I reached by peak height by 7th grade and was pretty much fully developed by 8th. She will have to get used to being the girl with the boobs and hips since she will get them first.

Answer 3

There is no "normal" age for a girl to start her period. It all depends on the girls body and family history. While most girls don't get it until an older age, if any 8 year olds body is ready then it's perfectly normal

Answer 4

this is very normal, the average start for a girl to start her period is 8-16.

Answer 5

Dr. Moraski notes that in most girls, puberty can begin anywhere from age 7 to age 16. “The age of puberty in girls is affected mainly by family patterns,” she says. “How old was Mom when her periods started? How old was Dad when he started shaving?” Behaviors play a part as well, she says. “For example, girls who are athletes can have delayed puberty; the average age of menses for competitive gymnasts is age 15.”

The most common cause of precocious puberty is simply “normal” early puberty, says Dr. Moraski. “For a family where Mom started periods at age 9, and Dad shaved regularly by 7th grade, a daughter who started periods at age 9 would be completely normal and expected, even though a girl starting periods in 3rd grade seems very young. If Mom started her menses at age 14 and Dad didn’t shave daily until he was 18, a daughter with breast development at age 7 would be cause for concern, but still the most likely cause is normal early puberty.”

But there are issues that need to be eliminated by a physician before dismissing the cause as normal early puberty, emphasizes Dr. Moraski. “Unusual causes of early puberty in girls include underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism); a brain problem such as a tumor or extra fluid on the brain; ovarian tumors; certain inherited syndromes; or exposure to sources of additional estrogen.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that obesity is a factor in precocious puberty, and sees the trend toward overweight and obesity among children as one of the reasons girls are beginning the process at an earlier age. Race can also be an issue, as African-American girls generally start puberty several months to a year earlier than girls of other races.







Early onset of menstruation (menarche) — before age 12 — is a risk factor for certain types of cancers in women. These include:

Breast cancer. Early menarche is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Endometrial cancer. Early menarche may be associated with endometrial cancer. However, this hasn't been proved.

Ovarian cancer. The more ovulation cycles a woman has in her lifetime, the more likely she is to develop ovarian cancer. So early menarche can be associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer. On the other hand, multiple pregnancies, early-onset menopause and the use birth control pills — which stop ovulation but not menstruation — decrease the risk of ovarian cancer.

Answer 6

Thats fine, I know someone who has gotten their period at a similar age.
Nowadays with all these hormones pumped into foods, and the maturity (both physical and mentally) of young children, development is occuring at a younger age.
I think its scary that little girls (babies as I consider them) are going through puberty so young.
But don't worry, she's healthy. You can take her to a doctor if you're really concerned, but I assure you it's just that times are a changing!

Answer 7

It is not normal for an 8 year old to get her period. It is something that I strongly recommend gets looked into right away. Whether with a family doctor or a gyn.

Vaginal bleeding at that age can be serious and is not normal. It certianly raises red flags for me. Please get in to see a doctor right away.


Licenced paramedic

Answer 8

It's still pretty rare, but getting more common every generation. I don't have any hard sources for facts, but there is the belief that better nutrition, combined with the hormones fed to beef and chicken are contributing to earlier puberty in girls, especially.

Answer 9

Not "normal," but not unheard of either. I saw on CNN I think it was last week that a 9 year old was impregnated due to a rape so it's definitely not unheard of. Girls seem to be starting puberty earlier and earlier.

Answer 10

First of starting your period that early dose not have n e thing to do with bbeing athletic... most athletic girls start later... but for the most part yes it is normal.. it all really depends on the child.. i started mine when i was 8 and i also got my boobs very early.. so again its not that abnormal...