At what age do girls start growing pubic hair?

In years past, girls typically began puberty at age 10 or 11. But a study published three years ago in the journal Pediatrics suggested that it's now normal for girls of 7 (if they're African-American) or 8 (if they're white) to have breast and pubic hair development.

Is it normal for an 8 year old to have pubic hair?

Hormonal basis

It is normal for production of these hormones to increase (something we call adrenarche) and for pubic hair to appear after age 8 in girls or 9 in boys.

Should a 9 year old have pubic hair?

Adrenarche is usually normal in girls who are at least 8 years old, and boys who are at least 9 years old. Even when pubic and underarm hair appear in children younger than this, it is still usually nothing to worry about, but your child does need to see their pediatrician for an exam.

What causes early pubic hair growth in girls?

Premature pubarche, or the development of pubic hair before the age of 8 in girls or 9 in boys, is most commonly caused by premature adrenarche. Adrenarche is the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis in both boys and girls, resulting in the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and adult apocrine body odor.

What are the first signs of puberty in a girl?

When your daughter starts to go through puberty, her gonads (ovaries) and adrenal glands (glands that sit on top of the kidneys) release hormones. These hormones cause the first signs of puberty, which are breast development, body odor, underarm hair, pubic hair and acne (pimples).

Normal Puberty: Signs

What food causes early puberty?

High protein intake elevates IGF-1 levels and promotes growth, which could accelerate the onset of puberty. Poor diet. Children with lower-nutrient diets tend to enter puberty earlier. A diet rich in processed foods and meats, dairy, and fast food is disruptive to normal physical development.

Why is my daughter developing so early?

For most children, early puberty starts for no known reason. It can run in families. Sometimes there is a problem in the brain, such as an injury, a tumor or an infection. Early puberty can also be caused by a problem in the sex glands (testes or ovaries), the thyroid gland or the adrenal glands.

Can a 7 year old grow pubic hair?

On average, girls start puberty between the ages of 8 and 13, but some will start to develop breasts, pubic hair, or body odor before age 8. The technical term for this is precocious puberty.

Is 8 years old too early for puberty?

But it's perfectly normal for puberty to begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys. There's not usually any need to worry if puberty does not start around the average age, but it's a good idea to speak to your GP for advice if it starts before 8 or has not started by around 14.

How do you stop precocious puberty?

Can precocious puberty be prevented? Most cases of early puberty cannot be prevented. Limiting your child's exposure to reproductive hormones from outside sources may prevent precocious puberty. These sources may include estrogen or testosterone creams, lotions, or other medications.

How do 9 year old girls get rid of pubic hair?

You can shave it. Just be sure to use shaving cream and a sharp razor. The good news about shaving is that it doesn't actually make hair thicker or darker, it just looks that way. If you want to avoid the stubbly look you can get from shaving, you can use depilatories or wax.

Is adrenarche the first stage of puberty?

Adrenarche is a period when more of a group of hormones called androgens (the 'male' hormones) begin to be produced in boys and girls. It's not fully understood why adrenarche first begins to happen but it is thought that this is in preparation for puberty (which usually starts a few years later).

What age do girls get hair in armpits?

As girls move through this stage, typically between ages 9 and 14: Their breasts continue budding. Their pubic and underarm hair begins to grow. Expect genital hair to become coarser and a darker color, and start covering more of their genitals.

How do I know if my daughter is getting her first period?

Typically, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop. Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid (sort of like mucus) that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.

Is 9 years old too early for period?

Menstruation typically begins at about age 12, but periods are possible as early as age 8. That's why it's important to discuss this topic early.

Can a 9 year old get her period?

When do periods start? Most young people will have their first periods when they're between 11 and 14½, but anywhere from 9-16 years is considered normal. Periods are likely to start soon if your child has: had a major growth spurt.

Can too much sugar cause early puberty?

Girls who drink more sugary beverages start their periods earlier than girls who consume fewer. That's the finding of a new study, and it suggests that this consumption is somehow linked to the onset of puberty.

Does drinking too much milk cause early puberty?

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that drinking milk causes early puberty. In the United States, girls are entering puberty at younger ages than they were in the first half of the 20th century.

What is the difference between adrenarche and puberty?

Overview. Adrenarche is a lot like puberty; it's characterized by changes in the body as your child enters her teen years. Premature adrenarche is when these changes begin early, before age 8 for girls and age 9 for boys. It's usually nothing serious, simply your child's body maturing in its own time.

How long does adrenarche last?

Check this out: There's a bodily change called “adrenarche” that all kids go through between the ages of 6-8 years old. It's a hormonal change that sets the stage for puberty a few years down the road.

What triggers adrenarche?

Though the trigger for adrenarche is unknown, there is an increase in the size of the zona reticularis associated with an increase in the major adrenal androgens dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione.

Do you get pubic hair before your period?

As your hormones change, so does your body. In the years leading up to your first period, you'll notice changes in your nipples, chest and pubic hair.

How do I talk to my 10 year old daughter about puberty?

How do kids get rid of pubic hair?

Tips: You'll get a closer shave if you shave in the shower after your skin has been softened by warm water. Go slowly, pulling looser areas of skin taut before running the razor over them. Change razors often to avoid nicks. Using shaving cream may also help protect sensitive skin, like the skin around the genitals.