Precocious Puberty

[Ginny Favers]

I'm interested in hearing experiences from some parents whose daughters experienced precocious puberty. What were the symptoms, and what was your daughter's age? What did you do about it?

My DD6 is now showing some signs of puberty (hair growth and possibly breast buds) and I am worried. In so many ways, she's still just a baby. I spoke to the doctor and they told me they would evaluate her at her 7-year check-up, which is in a couple of months.

I really didn't think I'd have to deal with this for another 5 years or so, so I am !!

 

[Subrbnmommy]

Odd that the doctor wants to wait a few months. My friend's daughter started showing signs at age 6. She started having pubic hair, armpit hair and acne. Her doctor had blood tests taken and she was sent to a specialist (endocrinologist). Her hormone levels are now being closely monitored. Her Testosterone is high but not the estrogen. If her estrogen levels increase, she will be given a medication of some sort to offset or reduce the estrogen in her body.

If I were you, I would either call back for a quicker appointment or call another doctor.

Good luck

 

[Southernmiss]

I'm interested in hearing experiences from some parents whose daughters experienced precocious puberty. What were the symptoms, and what was your daughter's age? What did you do about it?

My DD6 is now showing some signs of puberty (hair growth and possibly breast buds) and I am worried. In so many ways, she's still just a baby. I spoke to the doctor and they told me they would evaluate her at her 7-year check-up, which is in a couple of months.

I really didn't think I'd have to deal with this for another 5 years or so, so I am !!

AT 8, DD started gaining weight and out growing her clothes and seemed to be getting ready for puberty. She needed deoderant, and other subtle changes. I started making sure that I was buying healthier foods and switched to organic milk. Looking back now, she was gearing up for several major growth spurts.

At age 9, I bought her the American Girl's book about puberty and body changes and we had the talk about menstration so that she wouldn't be caught off guard.

She is now 11 and has not begun menstrating, though at her 10 year old checkup the dr. thought it would be within the next 2 years. She is developing breasts and is wearing a real bra-size A. I do expect that she will get her period at any time now. She slimmed down and has a really cute figure-almost too cute for an 11 year old and is now my height 5'3" and wears almost the same size that I do. She wears a ladies' 11 in shoes!!!

You are right for discussing it with your doctor. Kids seem to be maturing at an earlier age these days.

 

[MSLRAC]

I would not wait a few months but that is based on my experience with my oldest DD. First let me say, what happened with her is very rare and I am by no means saying that it's what you should expect with your DD. Puberty is happening younger and younger these days but 6 is too young and your DD needs to be checked out sooner rather than later. But here's what happened with DD...

She started with hair growth and acne at 4 years old. Her ped immediately referred her to a ped endocrinologist. The endo ran labs at her first appt. The labs indicated that her problem was coming from her ovaries and not her brain so the endo ordered an abdominal ultrasound. That ultrasound showed a tumor on DD's ovary. She had a CT later that day that showed just the one tumor. She had surgery the following week (14 days after her initial appt with her ped) to remove the ovary and a Granulosa-Theca cell tumor that was the size of a cantaloupe.

We were told to expect all of her puberty symptoms to stop and somewhat reverse themselves within 6 weeks of her surgery but it didn't happen and she was diagnosed with precocious puberty (caused by the tumor) a year later. The first couple of years, her hormone levels and growth were monitored very closely. Things were not progressing so we were comfortable with just watching and waiting. About 3 years ago, her hormone levels indicated that it was time to act and she started on monthly Depot shots to suppress the process. We did those for 6 months. Last summer, DD wanted to stop the shots and go with a Supprelin implant in her arm. She did great with that and it has controlled things more consistently than the shots did. She will have it removed and a second placed in a couple of weeks. Next summer, that one will be removed and DD will be allowed to progress as normal. She'll be 10 at that point and her endo says true puberty should start within 6 months to a year once the implant is removed.

Like I said, what happened with DD is rare but those early signs of puberty should not be ignored when a child is so young.

 

[Erin1700]

Please take her to an endo dr!!

My DD was 6 years old when she started showing signs of puberty. After we ruled out tumors, she was diagnosed Precocious Puberty no known cause.
My DD was first treated with shots and then with a surgically implanted medicine that lasts 1 year. She is now 12 and will get the last medicine implant removed in a few weeks.
She will be 13 in November so she can now go thru puberty.

She went from being 6 years old with a bone age of 10 yrs, to being 12 yrs old with a bone age of 12 yrs.
We have had our ups and downs but I do not regret for 1 minute that we had her treated.
Please private message me if you would like. I am even willing to share my phone number with you so I can talk with you. Whatever you decide to do treatment or no treatment, I can talk you thru everything else.

 

[mr.bungle]

Wow almost 2 years to the day since the last post in here.

So my 7.5 year old is exhibiting signs of precocious puberty. Crazy estrogen breakdowns and mood swings, hair, acne, etc... How have you guys approached the menstruating thing with your kids going through this?

We were trying to explain to her how babies exit the woman's body after she saw a video on YouTube of a woman giving birth in the car. And judging by her reaction to that, blood from down there and the idea of a tampon or pad would probably freak her out.

 

[Hrhpd]

Have you had her evaluated by a pediatric endocrinologist as recommended by the posters who posted two years ago in the thread you bumped?

 

[mr.bungle]

Have you had her evaluated by a pediatric endocrinologist as recommended by the posters who posted two years ago in the thread you bumped?

Not yet but that's not what my question referred to related to the issue.

 

[MSLRAC]

Not yet but that's not what my question referred to related to the issue.

I personally wouldn't address it with her because puberty at that age is NOT normal and she needs to be evaluated because she lacks the maturity to accept and understand the process and properly care for herself during a cycle. My DD has had it since she was 4 and at age 11, we are just now removing (verses replacing) the Supprelin implant in her arm to allow nature to takes its coarse.

 

[Colargol]

First of all, puberty is so much more than menstruation, so I would not focus too much on that aspect just yet. Our doctor said that from start of puberty till menstruation it typically takes 2 yrs, so your daughter is hopefully still far away from that aspect.
I do believe in talking to kids from an early age. And the more natural and relaxed we parents are around the topic, the easier it will be for the kids to handle when they get there.

 

[gwynne]

It's totally more than mensies. I get that. We've talked with her about other aspects of it.

Forget it. I'm clearly not going to get answers out of people here so I give up. Please forget that I asked. We don't need 50 more posts in here about getting her evaluated and completely ignoring the issue I seek personal experiences from. That's all. It was a simple request that has been bastardized by the know it alls.

Wow. Maybe a little harsh?
I think their advice came from a caring place. This is a potential problem that is not helped with waiting around.
Certainly down the road you can explain, get books. Right now it sounds like she needs a good pediatric endocrinologist.
Ask a question, get a lot of opinions. You certainly can pick and choose what works for you.

 

[aprilchem]

Wow almost 2 years to the day since the last post in here.

So my 7.5 year old is exhibiting signs of precocious puberty. Crazy estrogen breakdowns and mood swings, hair, acne, etc... How have you guys approached the menstruating thing with your kids going through this?

We were trying to explain to her how babies exit the woman's body after she saw a video on YouTube of a woman giving birth in the car. And judging by her reaction to that, blood from down there and the idea of a tampon or pad would probably freak her out.

I don't think you are listening to what people are trying to tell you, which is that they would not broach this subject with a child of that age. She is not going to get her period at 7.5 years old if you follow the proper steps and take her to a physician - the physician will take steps to stop the onset of puberty. Your description of her reaction to childbirth indicates that she is not mature enough to broach the subject of menstruation yet.

 

[mr.bungle]

I don't think you are listening to what people are trying to tell you, which is that they would not broach this subject with a child of that age. She is not going to get her period at 7.5 years old if you follow the proper steps and take her to a physician - the physician will take steps to stop the onset of puberty. Your description of her reaction to childbirth indicates that she is not mature enough to broach the subject of menstruation yet.

You're exactly right. She's not ready. And I am not going to bring it up to her until it happens. So the point others are making is moot.

 

[mjkacmom]

It's totally more than mensies. I get that. We've talked with her about other aspects of it.

Forget it. I'm clearly not going to get answers out of people here so I give up. Please forget that I asked. We don't need 50 more posts in here about getting her evaluated and completely ignoring the issue I seek personal experiences from. That's all. It was a simple request that has been bastardized by the know it alls.

There is nothing wrong with 7 year old knowing about the female body. Since I have 5 kids, the younger ones knew a lot more, a lot earlier, and both dd12 and ds12 knew about periods at that age, thanks to a 19 year old sister.

However, what folks here are trying to tell you is that these signs are not normal for 7 year olds, but can be treated. I have a 14 year old showing no signs of puberty, so of course I've spoken with her pediatrician about it. So far, it's because she's under the 3% for weight! and I was told that until she has more fat/less muscle, that puberty will not happen. If she gains weight, and things don't change, we will see a specialist.

The American girl book, the care and keeping of me, is a good start.

 

[mjkacmom]

You're exactly right. She's not ready. And I am not going to bring it up to her until it happens. So the point others are making is moot.

No! A girls should never get her period, and not know what's going on - that's cruel! My kids have always known how babies get out (both ways, actually, since I've done both), and actually have known since before 10 how they get in. However, I made a huge mistake not telling ds19 about getting her period until she was 10 (stupidly thinking she might eventually open up that bottom bathroom drawer). She was upset, mad, hurt, embarrassed (I guess some early bloomers at her school talked about it, but she was clueless). Girls should have this information years in advance, to at least process and understand it.

 

[mr.bungle]

No! A girls should never get her period, and not know what's going on - that's cruel! My kids have always known how babies get out (both ways, actually, since I've done both), and actually have known since before 10 how they get in. However, I made a huge mistake not telling ds19 about getting her period until she was 10 (stupidly thinking she might eventually open up that bottom bathroom drawer). She was upset, mad, hurt, embarrassed (I guess some early bloomers at her school talked about it, but she was clueless). Girls should have this information years in advance, to at least process and understand it.

Well that's exactly why I asked in here. Jeez!

 

[LisaR]

It's totally more than mensies. I get that. We've talked with her about other aspects of it.

Forget it. I'm clearly not going to get answers out of people here so I give up. Please forget that I asked. We don't need 50 more posts in here about getting her evaluated and completely ignoring the issue I seek personal experiences from. That's all. It was a simple request that has been bastardized by the know it alls.

Serious question: why do you post here? It seems like you are never satisfied with the answers, you hate all the "know it alls," and you are argumentative in most of the posts I see by you. I just don't understand why you would continue to come on The Dis? If you don't like hanging out here and the people drive you crazy, why raise your blood pressure over it? I just don't get the constant negativity I've seen associated with your name the past few weeks. You really seem to hate it here, but you keep coming back.

 

[LisaR]

Quite frankly that is none of your business and I also thing you are reading into things. I have never once been negative on here. My blood pressure is not raised and I am perfectly calm. I'm not satisfied with the answers because only one person actually somewhat addressed the question I posed. I'm not like the rest of you people apparently and that seems to rub all of you the wrong way for whatever reason. I'm just being open, honest and real, sister.

Gotcha! Loud and clear!

 

[mr.bungle]

Excellent resource. Thank you

 

[MSLRAC]

Why would you not address it with her unless she's been evaluated. She most definitely is starting puberty and I'm just looking for advice on the approach to take with informing her that her lady parts will have blood once a month or so.

Did I say I wasn't going to get her evaluated? No. Just answer the question being posed people! I'm not looking for an armchair doctor for this. Just seeking experiences and approaches for approaching the subject with her is all. This forum never ceases to amaze me.

I wouldn't address it with her because she obviously, based on your own comments, it's mature enough to understand it or want to discuss it. If you insist on having the discussion with her then keep it simple...tell her this will happen and here what you do about it and save all the why it all happens until she is more mature.

Sorry if that's not what you want to hear but you need to more concerned about what is happening to her and why instead of explaining it to her because precocious puberty is a very serious issue that can quickly cause lasting effects.