Precocious puberty and these behaviors
What are the symptoms of precocious puberty in teenagers, how does this condition occur in them, at what age should we expect this condition in our children
Puberty is triggered by hormonal signals from the brain to the ovaries and testes. Ovaries (in girls) and testes (in boys) produce a variety of hormones that stimulate growth, function, and change in various parts of the body, such as the genitals, breasts, skin, muscles, bones, hair, and brain. They react from the brain.
In the first half of puberty, growth is very rapid and when puberty is completed, growth stops. Before puberty, girls and boys differ only in having different sexual organs. During puberty, various other differences between these two sexes appear, such as body size and shape, body shape, composition and function changes in many body systems and structures. These obvious differences are called secondary sexual characteristics.
Puberty also includes psychological and social changes from childhood to adulthood. In this article, we will focus more on the physical aspects of puberty rather than its psychological and social aspects.
Various factors can influence the onset of puberty in children, even stress. In a study, it was found that stress, such as the stress caused by the separation of parents, accelerates puberty.
In a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, it was found that today American boys reach puberty six months to two years earlier than a few decades ago. Doctors had previously announced that girls’ puberty has also advanced. But what is the difference between the maturity of girls and boys?
Puberty in girls starts one to two years earlier than boys.
– In general, girls finish puberty earlier than boys.
Girls usually reach reproductive maturity about 4 years after the physical changes of puberty appear.
Boys continue to grow up to six years after the first signs of puberty.
Girls’ puberty usually happens between 9 and 14 years old.
Boys’ puberty usually lasts between 10 and 17 years. Experts say that boys are taller than girls probably due to longer puberty.
Testosterone and androgen are two male sex steroids. Testosterone causes all the male changes such as a thicker voice, facial hair and muscle growth. Estradiol is also effective in male growth, but it is more effective in female growth.
Estrogen and estradiol are the two main hormones that stimulate growth in women. Estradiol stimulates the growth of the uterus and breasts. The level of estradiol in girls rises earlier than boys and reaches a higher level in women. Testosterone is also effective in the growth of women, but to a much lesser degree than men.
What happens during puberty in girls?
– Sexual organs: the clitoris (a sensitive part of the female reproductive organs) and the uterus grow.
– Beginning of menstruation: One of the first things that happens during puberty in girls is the beginning of menstruation. When a girl’s period starts, she becomes a woman who becomes fertile.
– Changes in breasts: girls’ breasts start to grow. Sometimes a small, painful lump is felt just below the nipple, which is normal.
– Vaginal discharge: Vaginal discharge starts to change.
– Body hair: Hair growth starts in the genital area, then underarms and on the legs.
– Skin: With the growth of sweat and fat glands in girls, their skin will become oilier and they will sweat more. It is very important to teach them about daily and regular cleaning and the use of deodorant and spray during this period. Pimples are also a normal occurrence during this period.
– Body size and shape: Girls’ bodies change during puberty. Their hips become wider and their waists become narrower. It brings fat under their stomach and hips. Girls should not worry about this extra fat as it is a normal part of female development and does not mean they are fat. Their hands and feet usually grow faster than other parts of the body.
– Feelings: Girls’ feelings and emotions change during this period, especially near the time of their menstruation. These emotional changes, which may include vulnerability and irritability, are usually due to fluctuating hormone levels that occur during menstruation. If a girl feels that these emotional changes are too intense, she should see a doctor because she may have premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Specialists can help him by prescribing medication or giving advice on lifestyle changes. Mood changes usually improve with regular exercise. If the girl can talk to her mother or an older sister or other woman about her physical and emotional changes, it will be very helpful for her.
What happens during puberty in boys?
– Scrotum, testicles and male penis: The scrotum in boys will become thinner and red and their testicles will grow. Later, around 13 years of age, their penis will become bigger and longer and the testicles will continue to grow.
– Change in voice: As the larynx and muscles or pink strings get bigger, boys’ voices become hoarse and hoarse. This is completely normal.
– Wet dreams: they may ejaculate during sleep, and when they wake up in the morning, they may find their pants and sheets wet. This does not mean that he had a dream with sexual content. It is very important that their loved ones explain to them that this is not their fault and they cannot stop it. It’s part of growing up.
– Involuntary erection: During puberty, boys sometimes experience involuntary erection. This happens without touching the penis or even the thought of sex to stimulate them. If this happens in a public place, it may embarrass them, but it is a natural part of growing up.
Breast growth: Many boys’ breasts swell during puberty. They may feel a lump under one or both nipples, which may also be painful. Of course, this swelling and pain will eventually disappear. This happens due to hormonal changes during puberty.
– Skin: Boys’ skin becomes more oily during puberty. They also sweat more. During this period, fat and sweat glands are growing in them. It is very good to teach them about keeping their skin clean and regular grooming and using sprays and deodorants. They may also develop skin rashes.
– Body size: growth spurt occurs during puberty in boys. This growth reaches its highest level one to two years after the onset of puberty. Hands and feet grow and stretch faster than the rest of the body. During this period, they feel worse. The overall level of their body fat decreases in proportion to their muscle mass.
– Body hair: hair begins to grow around the genital area, armpits, legs, hands, and face. Facial hair growth usually starts from behind the lips and chin, which can be trimmed with a razor. The use of foam and special gels for facial correction reduces the possibility of creating scars on the face. Electric shavers are usually less likely to scar the face.
– Emotions: boys may have mood swings; One moment they laugh and then suddenly you see them cry. Boys also experience intense feelings of anger. The reason for that is partly the increase in the level of hormones in the body, as well as the psychological aspect of coping with all the changes that are taking place in the body. Boys can benefit greatly if they can talk to a family member or a good friend. In an American research, it was found that mood changes in teenagers are justified by biological changes in teenagers’ brains.
What causes puberty?
– Genes: Experts say puberty starts with a gene called kiSS1. This gene is present in our body at birth and produces another gene called GPR54. GPR54 stays in the body for years until kisspeptin—a chemical produced by the kiSS1 gene—activates it. Activated GPR54 stimulates the brain to produce GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone, a potent gonad-stimulating substance). GnRH causes other glands in the body to produce other hormones, such as the testes in boys and the ovaries in girls.
– Hormones: the testes produce testosterone, which causes the growth of the testicles and penis, the growth of muscles, hair, and the thickening of the voice in boys. Women’s ovaries also produce much less testosterone, and this hormone is used to help maintain muscle mass and bone strength. The ovaries also produce estradiol, which is responsible for the growth of breasts, the female reproductive system, and the regulation of menstruation.
Puberty triggers: Experts believe that environmental or genetic factors – even environmental toxins – trigger puberty. Nutritional factors are especially important for girls. Girls who are obese or overweight usually have early puberty, and girls who are underweight usually enter puberty later. These days, probably due to the higher weight of girls, the age of puberty has decreased in most regions of the world. American scientists have shown that even childhood obesity increases the probability that a girl will reach puberty earlier. Scientists are not sure whether the timing of puberty affects boys.
Diagnosis of early or late puberty
If puberty happens sooner or later in a girl or boy, he should just go to his general doctor. Not having any signs of breast development until the age of 14 or not having her period until the age of 16 can be a sign of late puberty in girls. Not growing testicles in boys until the age of 14 can be a sign of late puberty in them.
The general doctor takes a blood test from the patient to see what his hormones are. He may also prescribe an MRI or ultrasound to check the status of his glands.
Treatment of precocious puberty
The type of treatment will depend on whether this precocious puberty has a cause or not. If a cause is found, that cause will be treated first. If no reason is found, there are drugs that can stop puberty temporarily – these drugs block the effects of hormones. Treatment is recommended only if the doctor believes that this early puberty may cause problems in the future for the child, such as weak bones or short stature. If the doctor does not think that the child may have justified problems in the future, precocious puberty is not treated.
In a research, it was found that early puberty will be associated with abnormal eating behaviors and anxiety in teenagers.
Treatment of delayed puberty
Delayed puberty may have reasons and the doctor is responsible for finding these reasons. These reasons may include the following:
– Nutritional disorders: such as anorexia
– Hormonal status: underactive thyroid gland
– Other problems and diseases: such as diabetes, kidney disease or asthma
– Genetic problems: such as AIS (androgen insensitivity syndrome) – the body of patients with this syndrome does not use some hormones.
Successful treatment of the causes of late puberty should lead to the onset of puberty. Sometimes the child needs to take hormonal drugs.
According to research by researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand, hormonal changes in pregnancy cause maternal anxiety after childbirth and behavioral changes that may cause late puberty in female children or even step-daughters.