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Is Puberty in Girls Coming Too Soon?
Is Puberty in Girls Coming Too Soon?
If this topic is interesting to you, you might want to read some thoughts and studies at the above link.
Do you think the age of girls menstruating is more widely discussed and understood or do you feel girls really are starting puberty earlier?
For moms of daughters in their tweens and teens, did they start their periods around the same time you did?
Did you, yourself, hit puberty soon? Were you a late bloomer?
Tags: age, bloomer, late, menstruating, period, puberty, start, teen, tween, when
Views: 121
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on -
I was a late bloomer. I started menstruating just after I turned 14. I may have had some minor spotting a few months earlier. I think my Mom said she was about 12 or 13 when she started and so was my Grandmother. I think genetics and diet play a role. I have also heard that ethnicity can play a role...probably due to genetics and diet!
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on -
Jmarr, I was a late bloomer, too. In chest development and in menstruating. I went from not wearing a bra at all - to a large 'C' - in just 2 or 3 months. Talk about strange. I remember it really freaked me out!
I also was well into my 14th year before I started my period. I think that's why it's wowing to me when I hear an acquaintance tell me their little girls are starting at 8 and 9 years old. Since that was not my personal experience it makes me wonder if girls of my age (way back when, lol) were starting younger -even as young as 8 and 9 and I just didn't know about it.
Or is this really a new trend?
I do know, my younger sister (she is 14 months younger than me) started before I did- a good 2 or more years before me. It seemed like most of my friends did before I did, too- but I can't pin point exact ages of when they did.
My mother actually took me to the doctor because she was concerned there was an issue. Thankfully everything checked out fine and the curse did eventually wield it's ugly head. : )
lol, I really don't see it that way. It really is a blessing and great sign of health, albeit a painful one, to have your period.
Both, my mother and sister, were 12 when they started their periods. I've long discovered I take more after the women in my Father's side of the family. Even my build is just like my Dad's mother. I wish I knew more about their health history.
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on
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I found another article, one that I found to be very thought provoking. Experts tallied results of studies and came up with possible explanations as to why girls are experiencing puberty, younger and younger. Also mentioned within the study: possible risks for those that had an early start to puberty, including cancer and stunted growth.
One recommendation was to live your life as green as possible. Read more at the link for details on that theory.
Growing up too soon? Puberty strikes 7-year-old girls
Another portion of the article discusses a family who slowed down their child's puberty by giving her drugs. What do you think about that family's decision?
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Permalink Reply by Jessica Frihart on -
Wow! I thought I was kind of early. I started my period, and getting breasts at 10 years old. Though, I was almost 11 years. I thought that was early, but apparently, it wasn't early, not compared to 7 & 8 year olds.
I am glad I have boys, and don't have to worry about this.
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on
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I'm bringing this topic back up because it seems to be becoming a personal challenge for me. My 5 year old daughter is displaying signs of precocious puberty. I already outlined above that I was a very late bloomer and here I have a daughter exhibiting the exact opposite. I don't think I'm surprised that she didn't take after me, she has her father's build and a lot of other traits like him. But, what I am surprised about is her symptoms.
Although she is typically the youngest in her class (she has a June 30th birthday) she's usually one of the largest/tallest children. We did a bone age test to help determine if she does have precocious puberty and her results did indeed date her bone age years older than she is.
I often thought Lillian would end up being much taller than me since she has been off the charts her whole life. Learning more after suspecting early puberty with her, I've realized this is also a symptom. The child will grow much faster than their peers then hit puberty earlier and stop growing. Most of the time this will actually make them turn out to be shorter than average.
Her other symptom, and why we were referred to an endocrinologist in Tampa was she is beginning to develop hair on her privates. At 5 years old! I was/am still shocked and saddened by this.
So far, we've had only one appointment with Dr. Lin. We are suppose to do a recheck follow up to see if Lillian's hormone levels have changed. This is the weird part. They came back completely normal at the first check. I just couldn't see how they could considering the hair growth.
I've never sprung for hormone free meat when buying from a store but I'm almost considering it. One thing I have done was to always make sure I buy hormone free milk. Always and her whole life.
I was hoping some of you that may have experience in this topic will share your story and thoughts.
To learn more about girls starting puberty early, check out this video link about Precocious Puberty from ABC news.
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