is this normal at only 9??

Sherry, the average age of menarche, or a girl's first period, has been dropping steadily for most of the last 20 or so years- I am surprised that you haven't heard about this or are not aware of the research that has been done into the causes of it. Better diets and improved medical care are one of the biggest reasons why this trend is increasing. It's not at all unusual for your granddaughter to be starting at her age- I personally have known girls who started when they were 10 and in the fifth grade. Spotting before a period is not unusual either- a lot of girls experience this when they first start their cycles.

The only thing which should concern you with regard to your granddaughter starting so young is that she is at a slightly increased risk for certain cancers, such as breast cancer, in later life, and it's important that she get regular screenings and preventive care. Likewise, your daughter ( her mom) needs to talk to the girl's pediatrician and ask about getting her daughter the Guardasil shot as soon as it can be given to her safely. Guardasil is a vaccine which was developed to protect women and girls against the Human Pampilloma Virus, or HPV, which is the virus that causes genital warts and also causes cervical cancer in later life. By having her daughter vaccinated before she becomes sexually active, her mother is giving her maximum protection against not only the virus, but the cancer it causes. There is also another version of this vaccine which will be on the market later this year, called Ceravex- and it is intended to protect against different strains of HPV which are not in Guardasil. Right now, it is undergoing final clinical trials for safety and effectiveness, so it may be summer or next fall before it's available, but you should ask about it, and have your daughter do the same.

I hope this helps you out.

My neice had some spotting for a few months before she actually started her normal periods a few months back. I saw some spotting at least 7-8 months before the actual period started.

Girls as young as ur grandaughter do start menstruating these days. Its time to give her the 'talk'...

And I still haven't gotten mine yet, and I'm much older than her. It can be normal, girls can start puberty as young as seven. But take her to her pediatrician or an OB/GYN doctor to make sure noting is wrong. Abnormal hormones could be to blame, there is medication needed for that. Good luck!

I just started my period yesterday, but the day before it was a brown discharge. It is her period. Buy her some pads.

My daughter just turned 10 and I know she will be starting any time now because she is developing and getting well lets just say puberty has begun already.....

(I wouldn't want to explain in to much detail - I can see her face turning beat red if she ever read this!)

yes this is called morning sickness .In most of my pregnancy's I did not actually throw up but I felt sick all the time and the smells really get you going ..So long as you keep up your fluids.try eating something before you get out of bed ,some toast or something with a cup of tea if you have some one to get it for you ,if not just a cracker and water ,some times that helps .

Yes, it is normal (however, I am 14, and I haven't started mine!), so I would say, just make sure she knows what it is and how to deal with it. You might want to take her to a doctor just to make sure there are no problems...and no offense, but you don't act/write like a grandmother........

I have heard of 9 year olds starting. Her doctor will be able to tell for sure.

It's normal these days - it's thought to be associated with the high level of hormones in food.

But if it carries on going on and off instead of happening for a few days and then stopping properly, I would take her to the doc to get checked out.

My daughters started at 10, but I think it would be best to take her for a check up at her pediatrician. There could be hormone or diet problems.