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DELAYED PUBERTY
What is delayed puberty?
Puberty is said to be delayed when symptoms do not appear by age 13 for girls and age 14 for boys. Delayed puberty can be hereditary; the late onset of puberty may run in the families. However, delayed puberty may also be due to chromosomal abnormalities, genetic disorders, chronic illnesses, or tumors that damage the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, which affect maturation.
What are the symptoms of delayed puberty?
A noted lack of symptoms of puberty is the primary indicator that a child may be experiencing delayed puberty. The following are the most common symptoms of delayed puberty. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
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lack of breast development by age 13 |
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more than five years between breast growth and menstrual period |
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lack of pubic hair by age 14 |
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failure to menstruate by age 16 |
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1. |
- lack of testicular enlargement by age 14
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lack of pubic hair by age 15 |
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more than five years to complete genital enlargement |
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The symptoms of delayed puberty may resemble other problems or medical conditions. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
Treatment for delayed puberty:
Specific treatment for delayed puberty will be determined by your child's physician based on:
- your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the condition
- your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the condition
- your opinion or preference
Treatment for delayed puberty depends on the cause of the problem. Often, when the underlying cause is treated, puberty proceeds normally. If the delayed puberty is due to heredity, no treatment is usually necessary. In some cases, treatment may involve hormone therapy to stimulate the development of secondary sexual characteristics, or surgery to correct an anatomical problem.
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