Period

[Immi666]

My baby sister just got her period! She's only nine, tell me she's too young?! Please please please.

[spurslady]

It's happening like that all the time now it's official girls and boys are maturing faster. I feel sorry for your sister as it is a horrible thing we have to gothrough each month and the poor thinghas to suffer it early. maybe it might be a trial one, they do sort of come and stop for a bitat that age.

have a look at some of the sites available
http://familydoctor.org/445.xml

[devilwoman]

it does happen but its very rare, but admit, i'm shocked at hearing this, maybe your mum could speak to the doc about it, is she's worried. poor kid, she's got a long time ahead of her to put up with it.

[Lore]

I started mine at the age of nine too, it's not much fun when you're in primary school and none of your friends can relate to your 'problems'!

[Lore]

forgot to say i'm 33 now and have had them full on since the first one :(

[Ethel]

No, she's not too young at all. The normal age to start periods nowadays is between 9 and a half and 14.

My friends daughter was 8 when she started.

[Goodsoulette]

I was 9 and I didnt have any problems at all. I was very aware of what was happening to me and my mum was adamant that I should start using tampons as soon as possible, I think that helped with the making me comfortable with it. Probably abit graphic but I think its a good idea cause its horrible having to wear towels, even now, so have a chat with her about it and if she does want to use them get her some ky jelly to make it easier.

[Roughquest]

Throughout school I witnessed my female friends start their periods (mood swings and all!) - and I was awaiting mine so I could feel 'grown up' and in with the crowd, my parents thought I was a freak because at 15 my body was not having any of it and I was taken to the doctors for a check up - to make sure i was still a woman LOL! At the grand old age of 17 I finally started my periods - and I am so relieved I never had them while at school - so it was a blessing in disguise I can see that now.

[Immi666]

oh my god! the idea of her having a period is bizarre enough, im not sure i could cope with giving her ky jelly. i'll talk to my mum about the tampon thing though. i was much more comfortable with tampons too. less chance of embarrassing accidents.

[Goodsoulette]

lillets do a tampon now with lubricvant in the actual packet they are stored in but it is cheaper if you can giver a tube of KY. Thats what my mum did and Im well adjusted (in my eyes anyway)

[Immi666]

oooo Wardy, ur just asking for it arent you. Bring on the anger, ladies.....

[Pippa68]

I shall not comment on Wardys post, as quite obviously he has got out of bed the wrong side this morning ;o)

9 is very young to start periods ~ as the evidence states above, it isn't unheard of but it is quite 'rare' in the great big scheme of things. I started mine at 13 (apparently that is average) and my daughter started hers at 11..I thought that was young!

Reading up on the subject any time between the age of 9-17 is regarded as normal...although both bottom & top ages are still regarded as unusual.

[wnjxc21]

Nevermind the period...you are letting a 9 year old baby sit????

[PinkFizz]

Baby sister,not sitter!! lol

[wnjxc21]

lol fair one...my bad!

[spunkypumpkn]

She is a bit young, but it happens, and its happening more and more. Infact, the average age of the menarche (the onset of menstruation) is 3 months earlier every 10 years, which is obviously of concern.

Re your sisters early onset of her periods. Please dont be alarmed regarding what I'm going to tell you, as this is something that just needs checking out. OK?

There is relationship between starting periods early, and the halting, or slowing of growth, which can then result in shorter stature than might have been expected of the individual.

If your sister were to be taken to the doctors, then your doctor at the very least ought to organise an appointment with an endocrinologist (a consultant doctor who deals with hormonal probs), or a paediatrician. They would then be in a better position to decide on a course of action, if any, to take. Sometimes, they prescribe growth hormone for a few years. Sometimes they do nothing.

Having started my periods when I was 8 and a half, and being the tallest girl in my class at that time, and now being 33 and 5 foot 2... it kinda makes me wish that this information had been know back then. Oh.. and I know about this not because of a lifelong grudge re being 'vertically challenged', but because I'm a health visitor with a special interest in teenage health.