What it is
Sometimes early or late puberty is caused by a hormone problem, a brain condition, a long-term illness, very low body weight or a genetic condition, so it is worth getting checked.
Treatment, if needed, may include medicines to pause early puberty or hormones to start delayed puberty.
Common signs
- Early: breast development or periods in young girls, testicle and penis growth in young boys, pubic hair, a growth spurt
- Delayed: no breast development or periods in girls, no testicle growth in boys, being much shorter than peers
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination and growth charts
- Hormone blood tests
- Hand X-ray to estimate bone age
- Brain MRI or other tests in some cases
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Growth charts
- Hormone test results
- Bone age X-ray reports
- Paediatric endocrinology letters
Questions to ask your doctor
- Is this within the normal range for our family?
- Is there an underlying cause?
- Does it need treatment, and what are the effects?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Headaches, vision problems or vomiting with early puberty need prompt assessment
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.