Puberty disorders

Professor Sze May Ng OBE - Paediatric endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism

Created on: 11-13-2012

Updated on: 04-19-2023

Edited by: Conor Lynch

What is puberty?

Puberty is the period of time after childhood, between nine and 20 years of age approximately. Psychological, biological, sexual, and social changes occur during this period, which can lead to certain diseases.

What are the most common health problems experienced during puberty?

Among the most common disorders during puberty are delayed puberty, in which a boy or a girl, at 14 years of age, has not yet started the physical and psychological development into adolescence. This late development may be due to genetic factors, hormonal causes, chromosomal abnormalities, or tumours that affect hormone secretion glands or hypothalamus.

There is another disorder called early puberty, which is when physical changes in children start prematurely (before the age of 12). In girls, this causes the development of breasts before reaching the age of seven, and the growth of pubic hair before the age of 8. In boys, early puberty results in pubic hair and genitals growth occuring between the ages of seven and 10. Early and late puberty can happen partially or completely.

What causes puberty disorders?

There are many potential causes of puberty disorders. The main ones include:

certain rare genetic syndromes
tumours in the ovary, adrenal gland, or testis
congenital adrenal hyperplasia
brain abnormalities
severe hypothyroidism

How are puberty disorders treated?

With delayed puberty or early puberty, treatment can of course vary depending on each case. In males, testosterone injections, skin patches, or gel can be effective forms of treatment options, while in females, oestrogen and/or progesterone can be given as pills or skin patches.

Articles related to Puberty disorders

Delayed puberty: late bloomer or medical condition?

By Dr Helen Spoudeas
2024-12-03

Girls on average begin puberty with a growth spurt at 11 and menstruate at 13. Boys, on the other hand, begin their growth spurt at 14 and start growing a beard around 17. If you have reached these milestones but are yet to notice any changes to your body, you may be experiencing delayed puberty. So, what's causing it? Dr Helen Spoudeas, a leading endocrinologist based in London explains. See more

Early puberty: what are the causes and how is it treated?

By Dr Helen Spoudeas
2024-12-03

Dr Helen Spoudeas, a consultant paediatric endocrinologist, explains what early puberty is, what the symptoms are, what causes it and how it can be treated. See more

an image of a group of children looking at a book

Understanding puberty disorders

By Professor Sze May Ng OBE
2024-12-01

In her latest online article, Professor Sze May Ng OBE gives us her insights into puberty disorders. She talks about the common signs and symptoms, how to differentiate between normal puberty and puberty disorders, medicals test used to diagnose puberty disorders, treatment options and the long-term effects or complications. See more