WTH? Puberty?

Forums: Health, Medical, Parenting, Puberty, Precocious Puberty
Email this Topic • Print this Page

So I took Mo to the doctor yesterday with a laundry list of concerns and the Dr. very casually says "Hmmmm..... could be puberty".

And I'm all like "WTH? Puberty? He's 9 fercryingoutloud."

And she's all "Yep. Happens all the time."

So I come home and I start reading about "precocious puberty" and find out that at 9, Mo has aged out of the precocious category -- while not normal, it isn't uncommon for boys to start puberty at 9.

For girls it's only "precocious" if they are under 8. Yes! 8!

I'm totally serious.

Okay. We don't know that puberty is what's going on. It could be a gazillion other things. But now I'm curious. Has anyone had a kid that went through puberty at such an early age?

(Please keep your sex jokes to yourself -- this is kids we're talking about here. I (and maybe some others) will vote you down without mercy. Thanks.)

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Question • Score: 13 • Views: 4,343 • Replies: 40

Boys do mature more slowly than girls so maybe he just wants a head start. Wink

In all seriousness though, I haven't the slightest clue but I do know that many kids are starting puberty much earlier than they used to. There is some speculation as to whether the reason is the hormones in our food.

1 Reply

@Bella Dea,

I've read that too, Bella. Scary stuff.

But anywhere between 9 and 14 is considered normal. I was surprised by that since 9 seems so young.

0 Replies

Serious question boom, if you don't mind sharing....

what were the laundry list of concerns?

I remember my brothers voices cracking occassionally, and the growth of moustaches, but I've never given much thought as to what boys go through that indicates puberty.

Well, I know nocturnal emmission, but I never asked my brothers about that.

1 Reply

@boomerang,

I knew a kid at age 10 who was 100% sexually mature. I mean, he looked like a damn adult, completely. He had facial hair at age 11.

The rest of us were kind of in awe of his shitty little mustache Laughing

Cycloptichorn

1 Reply

When I began hearing from friends a few years ago that their daughters were starting to menstruate at 10 and 11, it was clear that things were speeding up.

3 Replies

@chai2,

Keep in mind that we aren't sure that puberty is the cause but some non-specific type things on the list were: moodiness, weight gain, depression, unprovoked agression, lethergy, wanting to be left alone....

There are a few medical and a few mental issues that can have the same "symptoms". Puberty was the last thing on my mind but the first thing that came to the doctor's mind.

0 Replies

@Cycloptichorn,

Honetly, I'd prefer it to be puberty than some of the other things it could be but lord save me from having a 4th grader with a 'stache.

1 Reply

@eoe,

Hi eoe! Long time, no see.

I've heard an interesting theory floated that things are really getting back to normal. That when life expectancy was much shorter that puberty began much earlier, as we began to live longer - puberty got pushed back.

Mixing that idea in with Bella's post you kind of have to wonder the effect of all the chemicals might be if we didn't have serious medical intervention to keep us alive.

2 Replies

@boomerang,

boomerang wrote:

Mixing that idea in with Bella's post you kind of have to wonder the effect of all the chemicals might be if we didn't have serious medical intervention to keep us alive.

Hi yourself boomerang!
I think the chemical/medical intervention phenomenon is somehow connected or intertwined. Chicken/egg.

0 Replies

@eoe,

The other day my 11 year old and 7 year old are in the bathroom. They yell come quick mommy. The 11 year old is jumping up and down and they are both laughing - look my boobies are jiggling!

Great...what next.

0 Replies

@boomerang,

send pictures...that would be cool

0 Replies

Did Mo's doctor order any blood and urine tests so his diagnosis can be confirmed?

1 Reply

@boomerang,

I know a kid Mo's age who has been having some fairly serious acne issues (he didn't before) and actual B.O. (as opposed to generic stinky-kid smell), not sure if he's going through puberty or not though.

2 Replies

@boomerang,

I have a friend whose little girl is 7 and she has knots in her breast and started bleeding like a menstrual cycle. SEVEN. The Dr. advised her mom to steer clear of chicken that had hormones used and milk with hormones...only organic.

She is better - no longer bleeding... but she has little breasts already and has to wear little tanks with everything. Kind of sad. It doesn't phase her though...we are much more aware of it than she is I guess - for now anyway.

As far as boys are concerned...mine have been slow in growth from the get go.

I do think that the hormones and chemicals put into our food has a lot to do with some of the issues seen in early puberty.

1 Reply

@sozobe,

I know a lot of stinky third graders...apparently the parents don't realize they need to start wearing deoderant...I don't blame them...hard for me to want that too...but shoowee...definite body ordor issues. They are the taller more physically developed kids in the class.

1 Reply

@mismi,

Yeah, this guy's huge. Tallest in his grade I think.

0 Replies

@Butrflynet,

Yes, Mo's doctor ordered test to rule in/out a few things. There is a history of thyroid disease on his bio-paternal side and diabetes on his bio-maternal side so they'll be looking at that and also for some vitamin defeciencies, etc., which can have similar symptoms.

I should know something/nothing by the first of next week.

0 Replies

@sozobe,

I hope that kid's mom has him checked, soz, because that sounds very much like what I've been reading. There can be some serious problems with bone growth/formation when puberty starts too early.

0 Replies

Kids are starting puberty earlier now, I think this is proven, and I have a bad feeling that this is not a good sign for the human race. However, it does factor into my position that we must allow people to take control of their sexuality long before the age of 17 yo. It is borderline abuse to demand that these "kids" be under the thumbs of their parents while they have the hormones running through them for as long as ten years.

15 Years Old seems the right place to grant sexual freedom.

1 Reply

WTH? Puberty?

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know