(Originally published on Linkedin)

Puberty is getting earlier. There are no proven reasons for this that have been determined definitively.

“Normal” age in girls is as young as 8 years and in boys 9 years. The first sign in girls is breast “buds” ie small nubbins of hard tissue under the nipple. The first sign in boys is a testicular enlargement. In boys, parents must rely on the pediatrician to check the testicle volume.

There is a medical device called an orchidometer that can help Pediatricians tell the size. (Size matters when it comes to testicles!)

What are the negatives of early puberty?

In females: the Social stigma of early menses, height compromise from growing too fast too soon and then stopping early, and medical concern regarding possible breast cancer as an adult from early estrogen exposure.

In males: The main concern is height compromise from early closure of the growth plates in long bones. There is a higher likelihood in males of precocious puberty being caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Possible increased risk of testicular, or prostate cancer as an adult from early testosterone exposure.

What to do? As a parent, make sure each child gets a full wellness exam each year including a look for signs of puberty early. Signs parents may notice are mood swings, rapid changes of clothes or shoe size, pubic or axillary hair, body odor, acne or oily skin. These can be the “secondary” signs that puberty is early. Don’t wait to get this evaluated!

The earlier it is diagnosed, the better the outcomes.