Early or delayed puberty
Overview
Puberty is when a child's body begins to develop and change as they become an adult.
Causes
It's not always clear what causes early puberty. It may just be a tendency that runs in your family. Occasionally it can be caused by: a problem in the brain, such as abrain tumourdamage to the brain as a result of an infection, surgery orradiotherapya problem with the ovaries or thyroid glanda genetic disorder, such as McCune-Albright syndrome –read more about McCune-Albright syndrome on the MedlinePlus website Early puberty mostly affects girls and often has no obvious cause. It's less common in boys and may be more likely to be associated with an underlying problem. It's not always clear what causes delayed puberty. It may just be a tendency that runs in your family. Delayed puberty is generally more common in boys. Occasionally it can be caused by: a long-term illness, such ascystic fibrosis,diabetesorkidney diseasemalnutrition, possibly from aneating disorderor a condition such as cystic fibrosis orcoeliac diseasea problem with the ovaries, testes, thyroid gland or pituitary glanddifferences in sex development, such asandrogen insensitivity syndromea genetic condition, such asKlinefelter syndromeand Kallmann syndrome –read more about Kallmann syndrome on the MedlinePlus website
Treatment
Your GP may refer you to a specialist if they think there could be an underlying cause that needs to be investigated. Tests that may be carried out include: ablood testto check hormone levelsa handX-rayto help determine likely adult heightanultrasound scanorMRI scanto check for problems such as tumours Early puberty can be treated by: treating any underlying causeusing medication to reduce hormone levels and pause sexual development for a few years Treatment with medication is usually only recommended if it's thought early puberty will cause emotional or physical problems, such as short height in adulthood or early periods in girls, which may cause significant distress. Your GP may refer you to a specialist if they think there could be an underlying cause of delayed puberty that needs to be investigated. Tests that may be carried out include a blood test to check hormone levels, a hand X-ray to help determine likely adult height, and an ultrasound or MRI scan to check for problems with glands or organs. Delayed puberty can be treated by: treating any underlying causeusing medication for a few months to increase hormone levels and trigger the start of puberty Treatment with medication is usually only recommended if the lack of development is causing problems, such as significant distress.