A friend's daughter at age 5 had a very rare ovarian cyst, which led to 
early puberty including a bit of vaginal bleeding.  There were obvious 
signs of the hormones being released from the cyst, including breast 
growth, a bit of pubic hair, and other secondary signs of puberty.  The 
endocrinologist was knowledgeable about this rare condition and managed 
to get a ultrasound of the cyst when the child was bleeding, which 
prevented more invasive tests from being done.  The cyst went away and 
within  a year the child was back to pre puberty, with the exception of 
some small breast tissue. 

Other things that can cause pre puberty are harder to diagnose, and much 
more horrible than a cyst.

I would think an exam would be the first step, to rule out abuse or the 
child putting something in her vagina, and if that is ruled out, then a 
visit to the endrocronologist would be in order...

Joylyn

Pia Ruohotie wrote:

> Hello Pat!
>
>
> I would also suggest that a mother should consider seeking medical 
> advice about her daughters vaginal bleeding. I dont think it has 
> anything to do with breastfeeding either. If the hormones in the 
> breastmilk make nursing female toddlers to bleed we would know it 
> already.
>
> I have seen this once, years ago. About 2 years old girl had mild 
> vaginal bleeding occasionally and during several months. The first MD 
> thought that breastfeeding and hormones were the reason and told the 
> mother to stop breastfeeding. The mother did not stop bf but did not 
> go to another MD either. I and another RN peer support group leader 
> saw the mother and the child during summer meeting and it was all 
> obvious: she was much taller than the other girls of the same age, her 
> hips were wider - precocious puberty. We urged the mother to seek 
> another medical opinion and she was diagnosed. I dont remember what 
> was the reason for too early onset of puberty or was it idiopatic. It 
> was not the breastfeeding.
>
> Best wishes,
> Pia Ruohotie, RN and breastfeeding counsellor
> from Helsinki, Finland, Europe
>
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