10 Year Old Gets Her period...lost for Words!

I was 12, but I remember my mom telling me about her best friend who started at age 8 (this was back in 1968, so I don't see how people can blame it on "hormones" or whatnot). A lot of girls still don't start until their late teens. It's all considered "normal".

Yes girls can start earlier nowadays.

the "American Girl" book series is GOOD.... its called "The Care And Keeping Of You." And they have other good ones.
Just go to Amazon... and input "American Girl books"... and lot will come up.
It is written age appropriately and made to be read with Mom etc.
Very approachable.
Good series.
I really recommend buying it.
You can also find it at any bookstore, Barnes & Noble etc.

I have several of the books already. My girl is only 7 now... but I read it for my benefit. Until time comes, I will read it with my girl. I already read some parts with her.

All the best,
Susan

I started mine the day after my 11th birthday 37 years ago. The cramps were not fun. My Mom had a hard time talking about the birds and the bees. She got me an explanation kit from a sanitary pad company and had me read through it. Other than saying all girls get their periods at one time or another, it didn't explain much. Don't let it make you nervous. The absence of knowledge will do more harm than giving her some facts (and a calendar where she can count her days), and how to be prepared if her period catches her off guard.

Why do you need to say anything to your niece at all? Are you raising her? If not, then there is no need to comment at all. Yes, it is normal for girls to get their period at 10 years old. Girls get it younger this generation. My daughter was 11. I didn't get mine til nearly 14. Getting her period is a late sign of puberty, typically after underarm hair, pubic hair, breast buds so if your daughter shows those signs, you should not be surprised when she starts her period. You should discuss the changes of puberty before they happen. The period does not have to be part of the first conversation. I never had "the talk" with my kids, we have ongoing dialogues about these kind of topics

The "hormones in our food " argument is not viable and has been dis-proven.
Most dairy and meat companies don't use hormones in their animals due to the up roar. You can't say that it's a hormone thing when girls in 3rd world countries are getting their periods early as well. It's likely due to our girls being sexually active younger and younger and evolution. We are sexualizing our little girls dressing them is short shorts and half shirts.

http://www.momlogic.com/2009/09/why_are_girls_getting_the...

I started at age 10 and that was 35 years ago. Everyone is different- different maturity levels- different genes. The best thing my mom did was just treat everything as normal, no "Oh my!" or think there must be something wrong. It's just part of life.
R.

I got my period at the age of 10. I'm one of four girls and I was the ONLY one out of my sisters to get it so young. All of my sisters were around 13 I believe when they got theirs.

I guess some girls just get it sooner than others, it's no big deal and didn't take away from me being a "kid" still. I remember my Mom having to call my elementary schooll to request trash cans in the girls room since there weren't anything in there for my to throw my pads away in! It was sooooo embarrassing but only the teachers knew and never made me feel awkward for it.

I remember when I was 12, I suddenly got severe menstrual cramps. They came on strong and I had no idea what was happening to me. I thought I was dying they were soooooo bad. Motrin was the only thing that helped and got me through the day. When I started birth control, my cramps completely went away.

So anyhow, don't worry about her, it's perfectly normal for her and might only make her feel awkward if anyone makes a big deal about it. I was actually excited about getting mine so young, I know weird, but I thought I was a "big girl" now. LOL But again, it didn't change me at all, I still played with Barbies and thought all boys had cooties. : )

Take care!

This is not uncommon at all. I was 9 when I started and in 4th grade. My mother was stunned and had no intention of talking to me about it for a few more years. I actually know someone who started at 7 a few months before her 8th birthday...

I have a 5 year old and I can only hope it doesn't run in families. I will be devastated.

Yes do not panic this is very normal for girls now days...I have a 10 year old daughter and I am doing what I can to prepare her she had a friend in her class get her period over a year ago already...I can tell she is getting close because she has been a little moody and tempermental...it is normal to start having "the talk" when shes about 8 just simple things and as she gets older you can get a little more graphic...Good Luck!! I am also very very nervous...

Yes, it's normal. I started at the age of 9...and that was over 20 yrs ago. I matured very early, having only grown 4" in height since 6th grade. Everyone is different. I know around here the school districts go into the whole discussion in schools at the 5th grade level, so the schools are aware of how early this can happen. Just be honest with her...don't give too much info, but don't hold back from her if she has a question. If it's something you aren't comfortable talking to her about right then, tell her you'll discuss that when she gets a bit older. Good luck!

I was 12; kids are maturing earlier - not sure why. I would hit the library and find books on having the conversation. Start talking to her now, but not in a "corner her" way. Just nonchalantly. Does she know that you have your period? May as well talk about it when you're dealing with it. Honesty is the best thing, but don't overwhelm her with the details as she still should have a few years to go.

I was 10 1/2. It was a bit weird at first. Probably what was hardest to deal with was being embarassed w/ friends, having to deal with it at school ect. I also didn't like to go with my mom when she bought the pads and stuff, I felt like somehow they would know it was for me, so maybe suggest to her mom to begin by buying them w/o the duaghter if she is at all uncomfortable with it.
Just make sure she is well informed and knows she can talk about it to you or her mom...It also helped a bit that my mom took me to get a new outfit lol.
Good Luck!

Yes 10 is normal, I got mine at 12. I remember they educated us about it in school. She probably already knows all that she needs to, just needs your help with buying her feminine products.

I got mine in the summer after the 4th grade.. Most of my friends started in 6th grade, 12 or 13.

Hasn't her school already spoken to the girls about this? They start this education in the 3rd grade. She may already know a little about it..

Just stay calm and explain that this is normal and nothing to worry about. The more calm you are the more calm she will be.

At school, we used to say "Aunt Flo was visiting" Hee, hee.

I am sending you strength.

i got mine at 11 so yeah i think its pretty normal to get it at that age...

Communication is key with a solid marriage as well as relationships with children.

I don't understand your loss for words. PLEASE don't make this child feel unnatural or bad because she started her period at 10. It is hard enough for young girls to adjust to the body and emotional changes.

She needs you to listen to her, talk to her. These lines of communication should have been open a long time ago. If you can't talk about the subject, get her a book.. The Care and Keeping of You" is a good one.

I also think the hormone stuff is hogwash. I believe you start when your body is ready to start.

Are you raising this neice? Start talking to her and talk to your 7 yr old as well. Develop a good relationship with them and open the lines of communication. Wouldn't you rather they hear fact from you vs what they hear from kids at school?

Best wishes!

You got a lot of feedback here. I wanted to say that you should always have the lines open with your daughter. I gradually would tell my daughter, who is 11 now about things. She would ask question and I would answer. If I had a good opportunity to bring up love, periods, or whatever I bring it up. I am very open and honest with her and have been since the beginning of her life.
Just a side note I started at 11 and I was vegetarian and hated milk so hog wash on the hormones in meat and milk theory. My daughter hasn't started hers yet.

Kids are maturing earlier. Studies suggest that it's possibly longer exposure to light from lamps and entertainment devices, and/or chronic exposure to estrogen-mimicking chemicals that are in almost every consumer product now, or even better nutrition in their early years.

At any rate, your niece will probably not be the only one of her classmates who's becoming acquainted with Aunt Flo.

There's wonderful book called "Don't Give it Away" It's a sort of "coming of age" guide for young women. I would get it for her and use it as a resource to talk about changes she will be going through physically and emotionally.

Good luck!!

I am now 38 but remember way back when, we were told (during a 5th grade welcome-to-womanhood-filmstrip) that the average age was 13-14 but that some girls got it as early as 9-10 or as late as 16-18.

That said...Heck yes, the average age has been creeping down. Only part of it is livestock raised with hormones. The larger issue is access to meat, animal fat...As iwe eat it every day and sometimes at every meal (when in fact, you need only 1 serving of good protein a day). I know my mom remembers meat wasn't always part of the dinner meal. It was just plain expensive. Now we have cheap access to it and access to animal protein and the fat content there in acts as a fertility trigger. Seem to recall an anthro prof in college explaining that limited access to animal protein acts to keep families small and tribes self-sustaining.

All I can say is: That poor girl. Because while I don't treat menstruation as "The Curse" it is certainly less than convenient. I am sure you and her mother will find lots of opportunities for her to see the silver lining in this new milestone.

Besides talking to her get her a good book that explains her body. The best one I have found to start with is the American Girl Series Book " the Care and Keeping of You". In my opinion EVERY girl should have this book. It is simple reading, has appropriate pictures, and really explains all the changes a girls body goes through. Totally takes the mystery out of what is happening with her body. Most importantly though keep the lines of communication open with your daughter and talk to her regularly about girl issues.

I got mine on my 10th birthday well over 20 years ago so this has been going on a long while. The best thing to do is make sure she feels like she has some measure of control so get her a calendar and some different shapes and sizes of pads, let her know she is going to have to find out what is best for her but there is etiquette involved (pad disposal, borrowing of supplies, etc.) In my class I was only the second girl to get it and as we all know they aren't the most regular at first, just because the other girl and I were not particular friends, my mom made clear, we were to help each other out in a jam. Oh the petty jealousies of 4th grade!

Think about it, how old was her mother when she started, what part of the world does she live in, the warmer the climate the earlier. The girls in south america have children early and so do the girls in africa. Part of this is at what age her mother started find out. Then stay out of it, this child is not your daughter. If you are raising her than that is different, just keep in mind that she is now growing up and there will be changes not only with her body but with her mind.

I too have heard that the American Girl book regarding a girls body and how to care for it is good for that age. Apparently this is not that unusual. The school my daughter attends has a machine in the bathroom on the 4th and 5th grade hall with female hygene products.

Girls get their periods when their body fat percentage reaches a certain threshold combined with their body releasing specific hormones. It's no big deal that she's 10. Like many people on this site I got mine when I was 10. It does mean that you need to do the how a woman's body works talk and you also may need to explain about the insensitivity of some classmates. There may be some teasing from some of the girls, but for me, the issue was boys staring and because I also developed early as well ( D cup by 7th grade) I got a lot of comments and presumptions that I was slutty because I was so over developed. Just wanted to give you a heads up so you can kind of start preparing for it just in case

I got mine when I was 9. It was always irregular and not that heavy but it did start. I didnt start having bad cramps till I was 11. I guess every body is different. I would ask a pedi for sure but I nothing was wrong with me when I started.

i started mine at 12..............but i hear its starting much earlier now due to all the hormones in milk....meat....plastic and even our water., i have a 7 year old too, so i decided to have the talk, because i have heard of girls as early as 8 having it

10 is not too early. I was 11 when I got mine and I'm almost 30 now, so things have not changed. You should maybe get a good book (I can't recomend any because my daughter is only 5 and I haven't had to worry about this yet), but just sit down with her and read it together and ask her if she has any questions. Just be open and honest and don't make it too much of a big deal because you don't want to scare her. Good luck!!

Due to so many hormones in dairy products and meat (and some interesting scientific studies and findings about plastics and early estrogen production), society is seeing earlier puberty onset in girls. It's not that uncommon for a 10 year old girl to start these days. I remember I started a little over 12.5 years in 1982, and a girl who rode the bus with us started at age 10. Everyone was starting around 12-14 in those days, and we were all shocked at the 10 year old, but now it seems relatively common.

Honesty is always the best policy as long as her mom doesn't get mad that you had the conversation and not her. My daughter is almost 10 and we have been talking about the "body" for several years. I'm sure she is about ready to start and I have tried to prepare her for it. She has always liked discussing "big girl" stuff so when it happens, she will know exactly what is going on. Unfortunately girls are developing so much earlier than we did!

i had just turned 9 when i started mine. So even 10 sounds old to me! lol. just because she had one does not mean that she will be having regular cycles. For the first couple years for me i would have a 3 day period and then nothing for 2 or 3 months. It wasnt until i was 12 that it started coming regular. By the time i was 13 it was horrible. I had to get put on birth control because i would have 9 day periods. it was awful.

I was 10 when mine started. That was 35 years ago. This has always been WILDLY various.

As for words - my mom had only had the "talk" with me a week earlier! I'd needed a bra since I was 8 (though I had refused to wear one), so I guess she knew howto time it. The main thing I recall was that the first period....lingered, and I thought it was NEVER going to end. My mom hadn't thought to tell me it would happen for a few days out of each month or that there might be some slight discharge between periods.

The few days part seems like an obvious detail, but you may want ask what your niece expects when/if you talk about it with her. And I don't know about your 7 year old. My oldest is SO curious about EVERYTHING and was verbal so early that we had our first talk about a tampon machine when he was 2 and I was changing his diaper in a public restroom. I'll probably have to do it again though - I doubt he'll remember that though...

Good luck!

I have a 9 year old (10 in just 2 weeks) who has started to get under arm and pubic hair - I was also surprised. I did not start my period until I was 12, but my husbands sister started when she was in the 5th grade (32 years ago.) My daughter is going into 5th grade and I am going to prepare her for possibly getting her period. Based on women in these comments getting their periods in grades 4th, 5th & up we might have been late starters!!

My mother started her period at 10, and I did at 12.5.

Apparently it's not too early. My daughter just got hers yesterday. I got mine just before my 13th birthday, but hers just started at 10. We had a feeling it was coming because she kept complaining of stomach aches for about two months. On the last episode of this "tummy ache" thing, I said, let's take a trip to CVS. We walked down the aisle and talked about EVERY item...yep, everything. Told her what stuff was used for (of course I sanitized it) and told her what she needed and what she did not need! I would rather explanations come from me than one of her misguided, but equally ignorant sweet, little girlfriends. (and I mean ignorant in terms of not knowing what they are talking about) She was really OK with it. She got a little upset to learn that she was now able to have babies, but that led to a great discussion on purity and chastity. We have discussed these in the past, but this was a great opportunity to bring it up again. My mom is no longer living, but my sister just happened to stop by the house during this big moment. She went to her room and spoke with her privately...again woman to woman. She's a great kid and I'm proud to be her mom! Relax ladies...we can get through this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My daughter is nowhere near this stage in her life but you are the fourth person I have heard in the past year that their daughter has started their period at 10 years old.

I just had this conversation with my husband's cousin this weekend. Her 10 year old is beginning to have PMS. She decided it was time to have the talk about menstration and sex.

I definitely think you should discuss this with your daughter. I know you are in shock but unfortunately for all of us, it is not something we get to pick and choose and it probably is so awkward for her right now.

Also, I have read that young girls are having periods sooner due to the hormones that is in our food these days.

Embrace your daughter do not alienate her.

I was in the fourth grade. Girls develop at different times. Most schools have the 'talk' by the nurse by the time students hit fourth grade. If not, there are pamphlets available. You might try going to a local clinic for information also. I remember when my mother gave me a booklet to read. I was still naive about some things so it helps to talk.

women ARE getting them earlier - every thing this girl has ever ingested into her body, every single thing she has eaten and drank since she before she was born, has been tampered with by human hands - steroids, growth hormones, chemicals...yep. we're doing it to our food, which means we're doing it to ourselves.

i started in 1987. i was ten. it's not even exceptional now. back then it was super freaky.

i got mine at nine. i dont remember life with out some type of boobs or being hairy. i was a chunk kid. it seemed that the heavy girls all got there periods early. if the 7 and 10 yr old are very close. i would have short talks with the 7 yr old about what is going on. what type of questions she might have.

I got mine when I was 9. One of my sisters got hers when she was 17.

The sex-ed class in my school was bumped back several years when in the 3rd/4th split class I had one of the girls got pregnant with twins. She'd had her period (like most of us... I was "late" for my class... most girls got their periods at 8ish) for about a year. ((She also carried to term, and her grandparents raised the babies along with her and her sibs))

Honestly, the *impression* I've been getting is that girls got their periods the earliest in the 80's & early 90's when everyone was drinking growth hormone saturated milk and meat... and that puberty has been backing off lately.

My older daughter got hers 3 yrs ago a few months before she turned 12. She had budded breasts years before and didn't start right way (my breasts budded over the summer and by Sept. of the year I turned 11 mine started.) My other daughter is 10 1/2 now but hasn't started yet. She has moved from a training bra to a real one in the past two months so I suspect she may start sooner rather than later.
I remember reading somewhere years ago that it's usually similar throughout families but girls these days are maturing faster than I remember when I was growing up.

Yes, this is unfortunately becoming normal. (i say unfortunate because society doesn't set the proper environment for girls to be faced with this.) Girls are starting often right as other signs of puberty begin to emerge, rather than 2 years after. Animal hormones are a theory, but pretty much disproven. The prevailing theory on this right now is that the start of menstral cycles is linked to body mass. Once the body hits a key mass (i think 100-120#) the hormone cycle kicks in. This does not mean that all kids who start early are 'fat.' Kids are a lot lot taller these days!! Nutrition for this last generation has been the best ever, so kids are growing faster than ever. Once our brain get signals that a key mass point has been reached (through increased need for blood circulation, more nerve endings, etc.) it assumes the body is ready to begin reproduction. Thus the start of the menstral cycle. This goes a long ways to expaining why the tiny little girls start so late. They physically have to reach a certain size before the body is ready for reproduction.

Hi there,

It is very normal for a young girl to get their period at a young stage. The human body is much different than it use to be. I got my period in 8th grade as well. I use to work in the school systems and I would see young girls having their periods even in elementary school!!!!! The body is just different now. If you need any help, www.always.com has great advice or even www.stayfree.com and www.kotex.com

I've noticed most of the sites that offer pads/tampons will have great advice for you as an adult and advice for your niece and daughter. Your niece is lucky. My mom was the nurse at my elementary school when I was a child and she had to do the period talk with all of my classmates and myself every year. It was embarrassing at first for me being so young and having your mom talk to your 4th and 5th grade class every year. So your niece and daughter are lucky! I know at that age, the girls seem to be more embarrassed and get scared easily regarding these issues.

Most important thing is to be honest and don't leave out on any details. Tell her everything she needs to know. If you skip out on the important details now, she will be confused later on and may not want to approach you or anyone else.

Also a good idea might be; have your daughter keep supplies in her backpack or locker (if they have those at that age) or even supplies with the school nurse in case she does get her period while at school. It will be very helpful for her. I use to have extra pants, underwear and pads with me just in case. :)

Hope this helps! Be strong and be up front with her! She will appreciate it in the long run!

Thanks!
K.

The biggest reason lots of girls are early these days is the hormones in non organic meat and dairy products-different industry standards than when we were little. But that aside.

No matter when she got it or who she is, be sure she feels completely at ease with your reaction. It almost sounds like because you don't understand why she got it at this age, you didn't know what to say-but that may be out of context. Would you need to say anything if she was 12 or 13? If so what would it be? Something along the lines of, "Oh, ya, I heard you got your monthly "friend", congratulations, welcome to the club, how do you feel? You can always ask me anything..." etc. Remember, she feels the weirdest of all no matter what age, so make sure you make her feel good if you do address it.
They do recommend frank thorough talks about sex and the body by 8 years old these days-thats' soon enough for my little baby girl too! :(.

Oh well I know you are probably getting tons of the same response, but yeah girl, plenty of baby girls get them and have for a long time. I will be 34 in a couple weeks and my best friend in 5th grade got hers and that was 24 years ago!;) My youngest SIL got hers at 10. I am like you didn't get mine till I was 13 or so. But it isn't that uncommon for girls to start developing that early. Poor little thing! It is just a part of life, but it is hard on the young ones. Just give her a big hug and tell her welcome to womanhood!!;)

I was eleven, almost twelve and in 6th grade when I got mine. You don't have to go in depth with your daughter, she may not start that early, but sexual education in most states starts in 5th grade as an introduction. Good luck!

I too started my cycle at 10 yrs old (am 39 now with a 17 month old), my mom didn't have "the talk" with me and I had no idea as to what was happening. It does seem much too young but mother nature has her own idea as to the timing of these things. Probably best to have somewhat of a conversation with your younger daughter before 10 yrs old so she has a little bit of an idea of what to expect. I worry about this with my little girl as well......sorry I have no real "words of wisdom" just some info with my own experience. Good Luck!

I was 9 or 10 when I started and my older sis was 13 or 14. My sis was so jealous, but I was so miserable I thought she was the lucky one! LOL I think it just depends on the girl. We were both really thin tomboys, with high metabolisms, but sis was more of a "boy" than I was- playing football, wrestling, etc with the boys in the neighborhood.
Mom sat us both down with her anatomy book (she was taking nursing classes at the time) when we were about 7 & 9 and went through the whole deal. I was always very mature for my age, while my sis usually seemed younger than me. It was no big deal that Mom just taught us both these things at the same time.

I was almost twelve I believe but also worry about how quickly girls are maturing these days.