Too Soon for Puberty?

Hi Marybeth,
I have a younger sister who started developing breasts at the age of 6 and started her period when she was 7 almost 8. The doctor suggested that my mother could put her on some type of medication, but my mother was afraid of what the side affects would be later on and chose to let nature run its course. She is now 16 almost 17 and has normal periods with no problems. Of course being so young to get your period is quite an adjustment but with a supportive mother she did just fine. This was several years ago and who knows what other kind of advice or medications the doctors will suggest now. Just check out all possibilities, but just wanted to let you know that unfortunately it is not all that commom for puberty to start young!! Also the comment about being overweight causing puberty to start early can be true but my sister was actually quite small for her age and actually underweight so I don't think you can pinpoint it on weight. Good luck to your sister and daughter!!

My daughter was the same way. Her pediatrician called it irregular development meaning that some features of puberity came early and before other features. She still didn't get her period until 12 1/2 which was 1 1/2 years later than me. She is now typical and all is well. No need to worry I think.

i don't know much about this but use of plastics can cause children to go through puberty early.

My daughter had the same thing.It is all the hormones in chicken.I have a friend that brought her daughter to the doctor's because her daughter was 7 and she had body oder and the doctor told her to stop feeding her chicken so she did and it went away so she changed to organic.The hormones in meat is what is making girls develop at such young ages.

Marybeth,

I just read an article about a little girl who started puberty at around age 4! It is uncommon but can happen. Have your sister really push for answers. They can give her treatment to put off the puberty (if that is what it is)until she is of age. Have her look for other things, like her daughter's breast starting to form or if they are senstive, mood swings around the same time of the month ect... I wish you all the best of luck.

Blessings,
M.

I've not had experience THAT early, but my daughter is 9 and is starting her pre-menses. No hair anywhere on her body yet, but her father complains that she needs deodorant often.

Some hair may be a fluke and not actual puberty. My philosophy is to stay away from artificial growth hormones in meats and milk products as much as possible -- I really think this forcing our kids to mature too quickly. its quite expensive to go fully organic, but do what you can...

Hi Marybeth
My daughter, who is now 11, began her development at an early age too. The physical signs of puberty began about 7 or 8 years of age, the most prominent being the armpit hair. We were lucky that my daughter didn't develop any rashes and other associated problems. As a matter of fact, I didn't allow my daughter to use deodorant until about the middle of summer 2007. I decided to have her wait because I didn't want my daughter to develop any skin issues/problems from using deodorant at too young an age.

During my daughter's annual well-visit physical, the nurse practitioner told us that my daughter's development was quite advanced and that her periods could start at any time. When she asked if my daughter was using deordorant, my daughter told the nurse practitioner that she was using Teen Choice. The nurse practitioner told us it has the least chance of causing my daughter to develop skin problems from using it.

This past Friday, my daughter got her first period - while at school. Although she & I have had many discussions on the subject, she told me that she wasn't sure if it were an actual period, so she didn't say anything to the school staff or even call me. She told me on the way home from school. As soon as we got home, I had my daughter change her pants & panties and as soon as I saw them, I confirmed she had gotten her period. When I told my husband later on that afternoon, he cried (LOL)!!!

Anyway, the only advice I can give is to have your niece discontinue use of the deodorant product for about 5-7 days; Giving the area time to heal. It could be a reaction to any one (or all) of the ingredients in the deodorant. After the time of healing, let your niece use the deodorant again. If the skin irritation occurs again, she must immediately discontinue the use of that product, and try a different product.

Please let us know how things work out for your niece, Marybeth.

My friend's niece was 7 as well. It is on the early side, but not considered "too early". Here is a site that may help.
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/question/growing/early_p...

I want to add that her daughter is now 15 and doing fine.

Hi Marybeth,
My sister has 2 daughters, the oldest had to start using deodorant at age 8. Aren't hormones just a wonderful thing to try and figure out! Her doctor said this is perfectly normal.

Hi,
I am now a great grandmother and none of my girls inherited my problem. However, I developed underarm hai at six, then pubic hair by eight and my period at nine. I wish I had a doctor that could have understood that my female hormones were developing too soon.
She may need to see an endocrinologist ( deals with the glands ) who may have a solution. But your pediatritian is the best geginning.
My younger sister also developed early but not as soon as I did.
By 50 I had a total hysterectomy and it was discovered that I has developed endometrial cancer. All removed surgically with no radiation or chemo.
I am not trying to scare you, but it can be taken care of now. Early puberty brings its own problems fot the emotional level isn't geared to the hormonal changes. It is difficult enough to be a teen going through these hormonal changes but a preteen is hard for what personality changes she occurs could be considered as emotional problems instead of hormomal problems.
Great that this child's parent responded with concern and gentleness.
One suggestion.... keep this from being a discussion when she is around all the time. It will make her feel different and uncomfortable to be talked about all the time. But keep her informed as to why she needs to continue her appointments and that although the hormonal change is too soon, she is okay and not to be frightened.
She may require her mother-daughter birds and bee's talk earlier than planned.
But her physician will prompt them along.
Jan

THere are a few reasons why she might be starting to show signs of pubert at 6 and I'm really glad to see that your friends pediatrician would like ot run some labs.
There's something called precocious puberty in which the body starts signs of puberty early. It might be as simple as that and it can be easily adjusted with hormones if that's what the doctor decides is best. Starting puberty too soon can affect final height of a girl.
Also, and more importantly, early puberty can be a sign of a pituitary gland tumor (most are benign) or even cysts on her ovaries, or ovarian cancer. My 5 yeart old showed signs of puberty and it was, in fact, ovarian cancer, which was successfully treated. So - I think it's important to eliminate the scarier possibilities before just assuming that it's not uncommon and normal.

If she is over weight I know this can trigger it. My older sister started at 9 and this was in the late 1960's. But she also inherited my Grandma's heavy bust early too.

Good Luck

this is sooo sad, but this is not the first ive heard of it. ALOT of young girls are starting puberty early, and its being chalked up to alllll the hormones given to chicken/ cows/ pigs etc. The hormone is given to animals so that they will grow faster and therefore be slaughtered faster, and of course bring in a faster profit. The hormones from the meat are being passed onto our children. So unless everyone can afford to feed our children only organic meats (and vegetables) this epidemic will only continue. Its awful, but its true life and its happening...my question has been...what can we do about it?

Yes. Same thing has happened with my 8 / 9 year old daughter. The Dr. told us to monitor budding but the rest was common in tall girls. Is she tall? My husband also did research on line. There are suggestions to remove lavender from the home and all products. It seems to increase estrogen levels... who knew!

This is not uncommon at all. Generally girls develop faster than boys and usually the underarm odor and hair are the first to notice. My daughter got her period at 11.

She's a little young, but that doesn't seem incredibly unusual. I developed early too and had my first period at age 10. In regard to deodorant use, I would suggest the crystal. You can find it at any health food store and it is just natural salts which help to eliminate odor. Initial cost seems expensive for the size, but my little $5 crystal is 3 years old and only half gone. I've been allergic to every other deodorant I ever used....

That does not seem normal and I feel she needs to be seen by an endocrinologist very soon. That is a sign of possible hormonal abnormality. My daughter has adrenal problems and hormonal issues and the only one to discover them was an endocrinologist after a lot of different blood tests. My daughter has a very rare form of nonclassical congentital adrenal hyperplasia *without* virilisation(sp). Her Pedi would have been happy just to say that her symptoms are normal, she'll get over it, but that was not good enough for me...I disagreed with the Pedi and requested a second opinion and a referral to a pediatric endo, I knew there was something wrong.

Hello,

This is tough..I for one understand. I started my period at 8 1/2! I thought maybe at my age now (43 in May 08) i would not have to deal with this any longer. So not the case! It is actually normal for a girl to start her period at age 9 thru 16...even give or take a year. So, I guess it can be just a part of nature. Is it fair??? Maybe not but I guess this is life. My son actually started puberty very young. Acne at age 4! He developed it severly but now at age 15 with doctors help(at about 13) we got him under control. He doesnt look any different now that other kids in his age group but I know that developing much more rapidly than they, was an issue when he was ages 9-13. You definatly have to be gentle with children who develope quicker than thier peers. It can be very difficult for both the child and the parents. Definatly seeking a Doctors advice is the best you can do. You must also be able to talk openly with your child as this is a very hard time for them. The body may be growing maturely but the mind is still in the age that they should be in. In time it will work out. I have been there and so has my son. We are both doing fine! Good luck and give that girl alot of love. She will need you for that. Be pro active and do what ever you can to make this difficult time easier for her.