12 yr old niece has brown stained underwear; what could it be?

Question

i noticed in her laundry that all of her underwears were completely brown where the vaginal area would be. She herself doesn't know but said that she has been feeling some slight pain and that it has been going on for quite a while now. However it's not heavy discharge. Could it be a sign of periods? Is it something that should be shown to a doctor?

Answer 1

If it's brown and in her vaginal region it's dried blood. She's probably starting her period.

Answer 2

Yes its her period.  I started mine at 12 so thats probably what it is and for the pain cramps.

Answer 3

her period  

Answer 4

ehmn SMElL it it could be p**p but then it could be her period

Answer 5

She's 12, she prolly GOT her period. How does she not know, she's in what, 7th grade? She should be expecting it and checking for it.  

Answer 6

She is on her period! It's ok, she just needs to use pads and change them every 3 or 4 hours or whatever works for her!  

Answer 7

My sister is 12, and got her periods a few months ago, and before that she too had a brown discharge, so yes, I would say that she is becoming a little lady :)

Answer 8

It's probably her period.  When I first got my period when I was 12 it was just a light discharge for about three months before I started getting an actual flow.  Also, a lot of times when blood dries it turns brown.  It wouldn't hurt for her to go to a doctor and make sure everything is normal.  You should get her some panty-liners and pads and show her how to use them and she also needs to learn to wash out her own panties.

Answer 9

it's her period

Answer 10

She probably just got her period.

The safest way is to take her to the doctor to find out for sure.

Answer 11

She's either having her period or just about to. Never a bad idea to bring it up to the doctor.

Answer 12

she got her period!!duh.

Answer 13

i think its her period

Answer 14

At 12 she probably DOES know, it's called her period.  She is just too embarassed to discuss it obviously. No it shouldn't be shown to a doctor...menses is quite normal in a 12 year old...it's called puberty.

Answer 15

its probably blood

Answer 16

She may have started her period and it is very light, this is common. Sometimes periods can be very dark when they are light.

It sounds like spotting. This can happen when you first start your period.

I would say it is a sign of her period.

Answer 17

She is having her period. She needs some pads and the TALK. At 12 she should already know about this stuff.  Have her use the smaller pad if its only very slight and ask her if its red. Dried blood is going to look brown Poor kid, she must have been scared.  I was scared and I was 12 also. Nobody had explained any thing to me other than that lame movie in 5th grade.