ABOUT LATE PUBERTY... |
What is late puberty? Late puberty is when a child’s body hasn't started to show any signs of changing to become an adult by a certain age. It is considered "late" if it starts after age 12 in girls and age 14 in boys. |
Should I be worried if it is late? |
Late puberty doesn’t necessarily indicate that your child has a medical problem. Those are some other possibilities:
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What could be the medical problems that cause late puberty? |
Some children may start puberty late because of a medical problem. The possibilities are:
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How is late puberty treated? Or "should it be treated"? | |
Treatment depends on the cause of the late puberty and the child’s age. If it is related to a medical condition that has treatment, it will be treated. Those treatments might include medicines or surgery. If your child exercises too much or he/she is underweight, your doctor's advice about how to get to a healthy weight and a lifestyle change will be helpful. |
How can I do my best to help my child? |
Some children who go through puberty at an older age can have a hard time fitting in because of comparing their bodies with other children their age. They may even have some physchological problems because they look younger or shorter than others. You can point out your child’s strengths (such as school performance, voice, or success in football, etc.) instead of focusing on his/her body changes. This would help her/him feel good about herself/himself in this difficult process. |