Precocious Puberty - Hollywood,FL

My sister gave my niece that medicine at the Drs. suggestion when she was 9 and got her period. She was born at only 3 lbs and has always been petitie. The medicine made her so sick that they decided to take her off of it. Not to mention how expensive it was.The Drs. say she'll likely never grown taller than 5'0" but my sister would rather her be petiite then constantly sick from the meds.

She is now 14 and much more petite then her peers but she has a lot of friends. Her height doesn't bother her at all. In fact, she wanted to play volleyball! You know what, she is actually really good at it.

hope that helps!

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I agree with everyone else that you need to see a pedicatric edocrinologist - but your daughter's pediatrician would be the best place to start.

Precocious puberty is defined as onset of signs of puberty BEFORE 7 or 8. Within the last year or so they moved this earlier than it was (I think it used to be before 9) because they use the average age of menses to determine 'early onset'.

You haven't given us enough info about your daughter's specific situation. "She's 9" - did she turn 9 last week, or 11 months ago? A year makes a huge difference. "She started with puberty changes at 8 1/2" - is that pubic hair, growth spurt, breast development, mood changes? My daughter's ped told me that the first sign of puberty is breast development. You can have pubic hair appear before that (it will be very fine at first) but until it changes texture and become course it doesn't count as a sign of puberty.

Based on you saying that she started with puberty changes at 8 1/2 she's not anywhere near meeting the requirements for precocious puberty. Unless you mean that she started her period at 8 1/2. Puberty starts about 18 months before you get your first period.

I don't know anything about the height issue - but I wouldn't think height would be why they would give medication to suppress puberty. That would actually be the last concern - it would be the extra hormones they will produce throughout their lifetime that would be the issue.

Good Luck.

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You NEED to see a Pediatric Endocrinologist, to get the right answers to this.
The endocrine system, especially in children, is very complicated.
To 'suppress' the puberty, it is hormones that is used. These have side effects as well. So that is something to consider.

Also, yes, girls/boys, do get puberty changes already, at these ages, nowadays.

BUT... to TRULY know, if a child is having precocious puberty, an x-ray of the hand, is done, to check for 'bone age' of the child. This is the only most conclusive 'test' to see if the child's aging/puberty is advanced or not. I know this, because my Daughter saw a Pediatric Endocrinologist... and this is what he did. A 'bone age' x-ray. For my daughter, she was fine and within normal ranges.

To give a child something, just for their height... is something you need to discuss with a Specialist... a Pediatric Endocrinologist.
Height though, is also Hereditary.
So, you cannot always change their height..... it is predetermined.

Your daughter is 9 years old, she is a 'Tween." ie: a pre-teen. Tweens are from the ages of 9-12 years old. This is normal.

You really need to see a Pediatric Endocrinologist. NOT a regular Pediatrician.

all the best,
Susan

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I've never heard of the height relation. When I was growing up, the first girl to hit puberty is now 5'8". I didn't hit puberty until 14, and am 5'2".

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It was also pretty common 30 years ago. And 60 years ago. And probably for as long as our kids have been well fed. Of course there's a "range"... almost anything between 8-17 is normal... it's just that most fall more in the middle.

A 8yo 3rd grader in my school got preggers ... she'd already had her period for some time... but MOST of the girls in my class were getting their periods at age 9 or 10.

You would need to talk to a pediactric endocrinologist... but also consider just letting her body run it's natural course. Many early starters just have a very slow and gradual process, while late starters go a lot faster.

BTW... I started at 9... and I'm 6'1". If it reduced how tall I am... yay!!! Hard enough to get away with wearing heels ;) More than when her period starts, her genetics will determine how tall she gets. YES, if she's starting her period at 5 or 6, that could mess up the growth hormones... but a more gradual climb into puberty starting at 8 or 9 is unlikely (from what I've read) to have any impact on height. One doesn't stop growing when one hits puberty, in fact puberty usually accelerates growth.

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Deanna H. asked a question about this back in March. She didn't get any good answers from anyone. Perhaps you two could message eachother and help eachother out. Here was her question:
http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/7374583327027691521

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A pediatric Endocrinoligist will be able to help you with this.

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all the girls in my family started puberty "early". i was in 3rd grade, my sister the summer going into and my younger sister a little later than that. I'm 5'3", my older sister is 5'4" and my younger sister is 5'9". i have a cousin who started "early" also and she is 6'. I would not give meds to stop it. some people start early because it's hereditary. it's not always the food you eat.

Normal these days- NO it is not normal- average, NOT normal- big difference between average and normal-
but it is a consequence of the junk in food- esp agri business putting soy in everything-get her off all soy- this is a task because manufactures sneek it into all- but for our daughters it is so important to do.
Check with WestonPrice.com for nutritional info, and in many areas there are support groups.
This will effect your dayghter the rest of her life so please it is worth the difficulty to get the soy out.
No junk food, no sugar, please take care of her.
best ,k

My daughter started changing at age 9 and started her cycles at 11. Her doctor never said anything about it, which I wouldn't give her meds even if her doctor told her too. Anyway, she's about 5'4 and 15. Good luck!!

The "medicine" doctors prescribe is HORMONES. If your family or your husband's run on the short side, that's how she'll probably be. It's called genes. We were given that option for my daughter, which we passed. Today she is 5'4" tall, same as me. Her sister is 5'5" and their brother is 6"2". We were told it could be early puberty, sometimes due to hormones in chicken. Not much else would be "corrected" just a chance to grow taller. Any time between 9 and 11 for the onset of puberty is considered normal. Better prepare her for the changes she is undergoing. Good luck

First of all, just because you've noticed changes in her physically at 8 1/2, doesn't mean she's precocious. I started having underarm hair and hair in other places by 4yrs old. That's precocious puberty. I know plenty of girls that started showing signs around age 9 and didn't get a period until age 12 which is the normal age... And those girls are in fact about 6" or so taller than I am. I'm 5'.

I've heard about a new immunization for girls, I think to combat cervical cancer. I may be mistaken. Puberty happens at different ages, so be open about her changes and guide her to cope, believe and embrace her fabulous self.
Good luck to you

Do not give her medicine to suppress her puberty. It will cause problems. They wanted me to let them give my youngest daughter shots because they said she was too tiny for her age when she was little. She is 22 and just fine. Sure she isn't super tall but she isn't super short either. And her wieght is perfect. Anytime you mess with nature it's sure to come and bite you in the butt. Let her grow normal and naturally. Make sure she is eating correctly and getting plenty of water and not soda. I would not let a doctor give her any medicine. Some children just mature quicker than others. It's been that way through history.....God will take care of her.

I have a friend who"s daughter started showing signs of early puberty. She was short. Her doctor told her that if she gets her period now, she will not grow to her full potential and suggested some type of shots to supresed her period until she grew a bit. Her mother agreeed and began treatment. Well, She didnt get her period until she was 13 and she did grow. Did she have any problems? not that we can see. She seems fine,put every case is different. I personally would not have done it, if she is shorted than the rest of the girls, then learn to live in heels. I would not want the "treatment" to "delay" puberty. with that said, I might think differently if she was a boy. My hesitation is on the reproductive issue women face later on in life. Boys dont seem to have that many problems.
Good luck!
HD

Unfortunately this is normal with all the chemicals we use in our foods, cleaners and beverages. I am sure there is a chemical the doctors will prescribe to help her, but you could start with a diet change and using non caustic chemicals to clean with.