What is Precocious Puberty
Early pubic hair, breast, or genital development may result from normal but early maturation or from several abnormal conditions. Early puberty which is normal in every way except ...
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Hello everyone!
I'm so glad I found this site. I am a mother of a nine-year-old daughter who I THINK may have precocious puberty. When she went to her annual check up at age 7, her Ped noticed that she was developing breasts so she referred us to a specialist. At that time we lived in Louisville, KY. Anyhow, we went to the specialist (Ped Endo) and she ran some tests on my daughter. She did a bone maturation test, some blood work too. Well, when the results came back, the Dr. said that she was pretty sure my daughter has precocious puberty. Her blood work shows her hormone level was high and is rapidly increasing although her bone test results were normal. Well, the next step explained to me was that she needed an MRI to ensure that she doesn't have a brain tumor. Well, she never got an MRI. We were also given info about the Magic Foundation. After reading the Magic Foundaiton material, I started to think that her diagnosis is incorrect. The material provided to me said that it is normal for girls to start their puberty at age 7-9. African-American females start earlier. Well, my daughter is biracial (African-American and Asian). Although my daughter seemed to have breasts, she didn't have any other "typical symptoms that the other parents' kids on this forum seem to be experiencing such as pubic hair, menses, acne, mood swings, etc. She is a bit tall for her age though, but I figured that is because her dad's side of the family is rather tall. Anyhow, she is now 9 and is only 4 feet 10 inches. We have relocated to TX, and she is alot taller than most kids in her class, but I have seen lots of other kids her age who is just as tall or taller. When we were in KY she saw two different Ped Endo and both wanted to treat her for precocious puberty. I asked lots of questions, but my questions aren't answered very well by these Docs. For example, if she is hitting early puberty then why does the Magic Foundation material say it is typical for girls to start puberty at age 7? My daughter was 7 when the Doc noticed that she maybe developing breasts. Her Docs never noticed this before at age 6 or less. My daughter was a bit chubby, but not overweight (according to her Doc in TX) and I think the Docs in KY may have mistaken a bit of chest fat for breasts??? I don't know. I am so confused! Also, my daughter didn't have any "typical" symptoms of precocious puberty: mood swings, menses, pubic hair..nothing like that. She is now 9 1/2 and just got her menses about a month ago. I believe that she got it rather early, but I know lots of other girls who are getting it around her age now. And since the magic Foundation material said it is normal for girls to reach puberty at age 7-9, wouldn't that mean she is in the "normal" range? And if so, why would two specialists and her regular Ped thinks she is going through early puberty? My concern is that if I select treatment for her, I may be injecting something into her body that she really doesn't need. She seems to be adjusting to her menses rather well. She still doesn't have any hair under her arms; however, she does have a little bit (very light) pubic hair which recently developed. The specialists explained to me that she could have negative social implications and stunted growth (she may not grow to her potential height) if I don't get treatment. Well, she seems to be socializing just fine w/ kids her age. She has no insecurities about her menses or developing breasts. The only thing that concerns me now is that she may be shorter than normal height. She is only 4 feet 10 inches tall and I am afraid she won't grow any taller. I have been monitoring her height, and she is continuing to grow. She grew almost an inch from late Nov 2008 to early March 2009, but since beginning of March 2009 to now, she hasn't grown anymore. Should I be concern? My question now is what should I do? Is it too late to get treatment now that she started her menstrual? Should I be concern that she hasn't grown any taller since march 2009? Please give me your opinions on what you think. Does my daughter have the typical symptoms of precocious puberty or just was tall for her age when she was younger? Posted on 05/01/09, 12:05 pm |
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My daughter didn't have half the "symptoms" of precocious puberty listed on the doctor's questionnaire, but she had enough significant "symptoms" that made us push forward with treatment. I believe that 9 1/2 is too young for a child to start her period. I would seek treatment and see if anything can be done at this stage. My daughter's pedi-endo said they can SLOW DOWN puberty after the period starts, but it's a lot harder to STOP once the period starts. From what I understood my pedi-endo to say ... children are in the very beginning stages of puberty between 7-9. But the arrival of puberty starts between 11-13. My daughter will be on her Supprelin implant until age 11 ... one year before her pedi-eno would like to see her period start. Good luck and let me know how it goes!! If you're in the San Antonio area look up Dr. Jane Lynch. She's been great. 
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Thank you for your reply. Too bad I'm not in the San Antonio area. I live in a rural area now and have to go to Shreveport, LA for a specialist. Did your daughter's Doc explain to you what the side effects of the shots/implants are? Her two Pedi Endos in Ky never even discussed to us about the implant options. They told us the shots have no side effects. I just can't believe that hormone shots have no side effects. Plus the Docs in Ky never even mentioned to us how painful these shots can be. They actually told me that it is not that painful. But from what I read from the posts on this forum, it sounds excruciatingly painful.
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Hello!
I was diagnosed with Precocious Puberty at the age of 4. I am now 22. I was put on Lupron for eight years. I always thank my Mom for the decision she made. I just can't imagine how my life would have been without going on Lupron. There are virtually no side effects. This is very hard to believe; but it's simply true. I am very healthy; and I have always been considered healthier than the majority of my friends. I have a great immune system. I am five foot seven and a half. I weigh 122 pounds. I also have no strange abnormalities. My parents definitely took a chance putting me on Lupron back in 1989. There wasn't any information on Lupron other than what the Doctor's said. Now parent's have all the resources in the world to research Lupron and other medicines. All the information points to Lupron being completely safe. Even if today I was diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor that was caused by Lupron; I would never wish my parents hadn't put me on it. Never ever. I love my height. I often wish I was just a little bit taller even. I loved my child-hood. I love how my life has been. I love that I'm not scared of needles because of my background with Lupron. I loved all my hospital visits for the shots once a month. I would never wish to take it back. Not in a million years. The majority of people who use this site are scared for their children, looking for more information, and need to hear stories of others in the same position. There aren't enough people on this site talking about their successful experiences. I joined this group to try my best to help put people's minds at ease about Precocious Puberty. If it's treated, it's really not a big deal at all. I'm not scarred for life about my experiences. I never think about my history with Precocious Puberty unless I am using this website. I love my life. I always have. Also, the shots aren't painful. They are just normal shots. I had absolutely no problems with them at all. Most children are just scared of shots. That's all there is to it. I can remember everything about them. I can vividly recall the smell of the alcohol being put on my skin, the countdowns everytime, the wonderful Nurses, and the feeling of the shot. It's definitely not the same as getting a typhoid shot or even some vaccinations.
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Hello Missy,
Thank you for sharing your story. I have one question: Do you have any scaring on your body from receiving the Lupron shots? Also, I know about a dozen adult females who have told me that they started their period around age 9/10. They are all average height (5'6" or taller). None of them said they had any problems dealing with early menstruation. None of these ladies received any treatment for what would be termed nowadays as "precocious puberty." I'm just wondering what the benefit would be in putting something into your body if you might not have to. You stated in your post that if you happen to get a deadly brain tumor caused by the Lupron shots, you still wouldn't regret accepting the Lupron treatment. Really? I'm happy to hear that you are doing well and that you had no bad experiences. But, I don't think I would be ok w/ giving my child the treatment knowing that the shots may give her a brain tumor. I rather she be short than have a brain tumor! I definitely would not exchange height in knowing if there may be a risk in developing a problem that could cause her death.
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Hello!
Thank you for your reply to my post. I would never take back my experiences with Precocious Puberty or Lupron. I firmly stand by my statement about not regretting being on Lupron if I were diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor directly related to Lupron. I'm concerned you are under the impression that Lupron may give people brain tumors. It doesn't and it won't. It has no side effects. I only stated something extreme like that to really make my point. I have absolutely no scarring where the shots were put into my body. I received them in my thigh. I was about to go through puberty at three and a half years old. I am so thankful I didn't have to go through that. Lupron is truly a wonderful medicine. If you don't want to put your child on medicine, then don't. You are her mother and I'm sure you'll make the right decision for her. I also know a woman who went through puberty at age 9. She is 5'4 (pretty average height for women). I'm sure your daughter will be fine either way.
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My daughter is 7 1/2 and about to start Lupron. The main reason I am doing it is I started puberty early. It is humiliating to be eight years old and filling out a bra. You child may not tell you but her girl friends will make a big deal out of it! They are jealous. The boys will really notice. Kids will make fun of anyone different. More than anything I do not want my daughter to go through that. That is why I am here to learn more regarding the injections. I have a friend who started her period at 8. I did not even know what that was! She is now 4'9" tall. Her 6 year old is as tall as her. So I believe it is important to address the issue. I am scared for my child, but what else can a arent do? It is one the the hard decisions we must make. Hopefully it will be the right decision.
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