The age at which little girls start growing pubic hair varies from one person to another, due to a variety of reasons.
While the average age is between 9 and 10, some research indicates that the growth of pubic hair may start at a younger age, in a condition known as precocious puberty. This happens when the onset of the puberty takes place before 7 or 8 years in girls and 9 in boys and is usually difficult for the kids- it can also be a sign of an underlying health problem.
The growth of pubic hair is also accompanied with other signs including underarm hair growth, rapid growth in height, acne, breast development, onset of menstruation and a mature body odour. In some cases, girls as young as 6 months to 3 years will also show signs of breast development that may disappear later or may continue without the other puberty changes.
The onset of puberty is facilitated by the hypothalamus, which activates the pituitary gland to release hormones to stimulate the production of sex hormones in ovaries in girls and testicles in boys. When it comes to precocious puberty, the condition is caused by factors such as brain’s structural problems, brain injury, infection or problem in thyroid or ovaries.
Parents and guardians should talk to a doctor if their little girls show these signs of puberty before they are 7 or 8 years old. While some of these changes are noticeable, doctors may perform some tests such as blood and urine test to check on the increased levels of sex hormones.
Other tests that can be carried out include ultrasound, CT scans and MRIs to check whether the condition is caused by tumours in the ovary or brain. Once it has been diagnosed, the child will be provided with the necessary treatment for the cause.
While the average age is between 9 and 10, some research indicates that the growth of pubic hair may start at a younger age, in a condition known as precocious puberty. This happens when the onset of the puberty takes place before 7 or 8 years in girls and 9 in boys and is usually difficult for the kids- it can also be a sign of an underlying health problem.
The growth of pubic hair is also accompanied with other signs including underarm hair growth, rapid growth in height, acne, breast development, onset of menstruation and a mature body odour. In some cases, girls as young as 6 months to 3 years will also show signs of breast development that may disappear later or may continue without the other puberty changes.
The onset of puberty is facilitated by the hypothalamus, which activates the pituitary gland to release hormones to stimulate the production of sex hormones in ovaries in girls and testicles in boys. When it comes to precocious puberty, the condition is caused by factors such as brain’s structural problems, brain injury, infection or problem in thyroid or ovaries.
Parents and guardians should talk to a doctor if their little girls show these signs of puberty before they are 7 or 8 years old. While some of these changes are noticeable, doctors may perform some tests such as blood and urine test to check on the increased levels of sex hormones.
Other tests that can be carried out include ultrasound, CT scans and MRIs to check whether the condition is caused by tumours in the ovary or brain. Once it has been diagnosed, the child will be provided with the necessary treatment for the cause.
