What Is Early Puberty? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Methods

What is early puberty?

Puberty is the developmental period characterized by psychological changes, during which sexual maturation and growth are completed and, as a result, the ability to reproduce is acquired. Early puberty refers to the appearance of puberty signs before the age of eight in girls and before the age of nine in boys. Puberty signs are defined as breast development in girls, enlargement of the testes and penis in boys, and hair growth in the genital area and underarms in both sexes.

Is every breast enlargement a sign of early puberty?

Causes of breast enlargement in girls include taking medications containing estrogen;

exposure to plants with estrogen-like effects (soy, clove, lavender, henna, licorice, etc.) or to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (pesticides, dioxin, etc.). Some overweight or obese girls may show fat accumulation in the breasts. In addition, estrogen-secreting cysts or malignant tumors of the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause breast enlargement in both sexes. Secretion of too little hormone by the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can also cause breast enlargement and/or menstruation in girls. In boys, hypothyroidism can cause enlargement of the testes.

Is every genital hair growth a sign of early puberty?

Hair growth in the genital area may be seen after the age of eight in girls and after the age of nine in boys. However, genital hair growth can also occur with the use of medications containing male hormone (androgen) (tablets, creams, etc.), and in conditions such as androgen-secreting tumors, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and Cushing syndrome.

How is early puberty diagnosed?

Initially, children's height and weight measurements and examinations should be performed. Afterwards, laboratory tests (hormone measurements) and a hand-wrist X-ray to determine bone age are obtained. Then, uterine and ovarian dimensions in girls are assessed by ultrasonography. If there is asymmetric testicular enlargement in boys, scrotal ultrasonography should be performed. Brain and pituitary imaging is also performed in all boys and in girls under seven years of age who are diagnosed with central early puberty based on test results.

How is early puberty treated?

In central early puberty, treatment is given to suppress the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that cause puberty. For this purpose, leuprolide acetate or triptorelin acetate is administered by intramuscular injection every 28 days or every three months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Puberty

Puberty is a developmental period during which sexual maturation is completed and the ability to reproduce is acquired. Early puberty is the appearance of puberty signs before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys. No. Breast enlargement can occur as a result of taking medications containing estrogen, estrogen-like plants (soy, lavender, licorice, etc.), or exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Breast enlargement may also be seen in overweight children due to fat accumulation. However, since hormonal disorders, cysts or tumors can also lead to this condition, consultation with a specialist is advised. For diagnosis, height and weight measurements and a physical examination are performed first. Then hormone tests, a hand-wrist X-ray to determine bone age, and imaging methods such as ultrasonography are used. If there is asymmetric testicular enlargement in boys, or suspicion of early puberty in girls under 7 years of age, brain and pituitary imaging may also be required. Signs of early puberty can sometimes be difficult to notice and may arise from various causes. Therefore, it can be managed through attentive parental monitoring, correct specialist referral, and an appropriate treatment process.