Delayed Puberty

What is delayed puberty?

Delayed puberty is a phrase used to describe when a boy or girl has passed the usual age of onset of puberty with no physical or hormonal signs that it is beginning. Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction.

How long will will delayed puberty last?

Puberty may be delayed for several years and still occur normally. This form of delayed puberty is called constitutional delay.

Symptoms of delayed puberty

The most common symptoms of delayed puberty are:

• Girls:
  • lack of breast development by age 13
  • more than five years between breast growth and menstrual period
  • lack of pubic hair by age 14
  • failure to menstruate by age 16

• Boys:
  • lack of testicular enlargement by age 14
  • lack of pubic hair by age 15
  • more than five years to complete genital enlargement

What causes delayed puberty?

There are several cause of delayed puberty. The most common causes of delayed puberty are:

• anorexia
• bulimia
• undernutrition
• diabetes
• cystic fibrosis
• kidney disease
• asthma
• hypogonadism
• Turner syndrome
• high levels of sports activities
• Klinefelter syndrome
• problems with the pituitary gland
• problems with the thyroid gland
• defects to the body's responsiveness to sex hormones

Treatment for delayed puberty

Delayed puberty can be treated. In some cases, treatment may involve hormone therapy or surgery to correct an anatomical problem. The exact type of treatment fo delayed puberty will depend on:

• the cause
• your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the condition
• your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

Mama wants to help

Resources for free food Domestic violence hotline Free and low rent housing Adult daycare Holiday resources Share your story. We will listen.