Precocious PubertySymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Precocious Puberty
Puberty is the time when a person's sexual and physical characteristics mature. Precocious puberty is when these body changes happen earlier than normal.
Pubertas praecox
Puberty usually begins between ages 8 and 13 for girls and ages 9 and 14 for boys.
The exact age a child enters puberty depends on a number of factors, including family history, nutrition, and sex.
Most often there is no clear cause for precocious puberty. Some cases are due to changes in the brain, genetic problems or certain tumors that release hormones. These conditions include:
- Disorders of the testicles, ovaries, or adrenal glands
- Tumor of the hypothalamus (hypothalamic hamartoma)
- Tumors that release a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
In girls, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before age 8:
- Armpit or pubic hair
- Beginning to grow faster
- Breasts
- First period (menstruation)
- Mature outer genitals
In boys, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before age 9:
- Armpit or pubic hair
- Growth of the testes and penis
- Facial hair, often first on the upper lip
- Muscle growth
- Voice change (deepening)
Depending on the cause, treatment for precocious puberty may include:
- Medicines to stop the release of sex hormones, to help delay puberty. These medicines are given as a shot (injection). They will be given until the normal age of puberty.
- Surgery to remove a tumor.
Children with early sexual development may have psychological and social problems. Children and adolescents want to be the same as their peers. Early sexual development can make them appear different. Parents can support their child by explaining the condition and how their provider plans to treat it. Talking to a mental health worker or counselor may also help.
Brigham And Women's Hospital
Ursula Kaiser is an Endocrinologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Kaiser is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Precocious Puberty. She is also highly rated in 26 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Precocious Puberty, Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism, Hypogonadism, Pituitary Tumor, and Orchiectomy.
MMC Pediatric Endocrinology
Lawrence Silverman is a Pediatric Endocrinologist and a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Morristown, New Jersey. Dr. Silverman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Precocious Puberty. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Precocious Puberty, Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency, Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), and Short Stature (Growth Disorders). Dr. Silverman is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics. Dr. Silverman is currently accepting new patients.
Riley Hospital For Children At Indiana University Health
Erica Eugster is a Pediatric Endocrinologist practicing medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Eugster is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Precocious Puberty. She is also highly rated in 27 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Precocious Puberty, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and Orchiectomy.
Children who go through puberty too early may not reach their full height because growth stops too early.
See your child's provider if:
- Your child shows signs of precocious puberty
- Any child with early sexual development appears to be having problems in school or with peers
Adult prescription medicines and dietary supplements that contain hormones should not be consumed by children.
Your child should maintain a healthy weight.
Background: \- During puberty, children begin to develop into adults. Problems with the hormones released during puberty can affect the reproductive system. Some people have low hormone levels that severely delay or prevent puberty. Others start puberty abnormally early. Other people may have a normal puberty but develop reproductive disorders later in life. Researchers want to study people with reproductive ...
Summary: Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) is a sporadic disorder which affects multiple sites in the skeleton. The bone at these sites is rapidly resorbed and replaced by abnormal fibrous tissue or mechanically abnormal bone. PFD may occur alone or as part of the McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS), a syndrome originally defined by the triad of PFD, cafe-au-lait pigmentation of the skin, and precocious puber...
Published Date: July 01, 2025
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Divall SA, Radovick S. Normal and aberrant growth in children. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 22.
Garibaldi LR, Chemaitilly W. Disorders of pubertal development. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 600.
Pitteloud N, Papadakis GE, Jacobs AN. Physiology and disorders of puberty. In: Melmed S, Auchus, RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 23.