What is the normal age for puberty?
The normal age for puberty to start is defined as beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and 9 and 14 for boys. Early puberty, also known as precocious puberty, is therefore before the age of 8 for girls and before the age of 9 for boys. True puberty occurs when the gonads “wake up” and start producing their appropriate hormone. This means that ovaries in girls start making estrogen, or the testes in boys start making testosterone. The first sign of puberty is often breast development in girls, and pubic hair or testicular enlargement in boys.
Is early puberty bad?
Early puberty can be concerning for children and their families. There are many aspects of a child’s development to consider if they are showing signs of early puberty. Many ask whether the child is ready for the changes their body is experiencing, or if they are developmentally ready for the emotions their hormones create. When a child is not ready for these changes, it can lead to psychological and social problems. Early puberty can also decrease the amount of time that a child has for growing taller. For many, these are real concerns. For others, it is not!
Can puberty be stopped?
The good news is that there are many options for medications that can “press the pause button” on puberty, if it is concerning. The other good news is that sometimes a child looks like they’re in puberty, but they’re not. If you have concerns about early puberty, it's recommended to consult a healthcare provider to guide you and your child to figure out what, if any, true concern there may be, so that you can do what is best for your child!