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Are there different types of precocious puberty?

There are two types of precocious puberty, central and peripheral. Central precocious puberty in most cases has no underlying causes. In rare cases, it may be caused by a tumor, genetic disorder or hypothyroidism. Peripheral precocious puberty occurs as a result of estrogen and testosterone production without the central control from the brain that normally triggers them. This may be due to problems with the ovaries, testicles, pituitary gland or adrenal glands.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is precocious puberty?

Precocious puberty is the early onset of puberty, occurring before nine years of age in boys and eight years in girls.

What are the symptoms of precocious puberty?

Signs and symptoms of precocious puberty include the appearance of acne and body hair accompanied by rapid physical growth and sexual maturity, including the growth of breasts or occurrence of the first period in girls and an enlarged penis and …

What causes precocious puberty?

Precocious puberty has a number of causes. Often it occurs because the body produces sex hormones earlier than usual for no apparent reason, but sometimes this can happen as a result of underlying medical conditions.

Who gets precocious puberty?

Precocious puberty can affect any child, but it is more common in girls and overweight children.

How is precocious puberty diagnosed?

A number of tests are used to diagnose precocious puberty. Usually it begins with a medical history, a physical examination, and blood tests that check hormone levels. An X-ray of the hand is also performed to check if bones are growing faster than …

How is precocious puberty treated?

Treatment of precocious puberty depends on the type and cause. Sometimes a monthly injection is enough to block the process of puberty. However, sometimes there are underlying medical conditions causing the production of the hormones that are triggering …

Can precocious puberty be prevented?

Precocious puberty cannot be completely prevented, but you can reduce the risk of your child having it by preventing their exposure to external sources of estrogen and testosterone - which can be found in certain prescription medications and dietary …

What is the outlook for precocious puberty?

The outlook for precocious puberty depends on the type and cause. Most of the time a monthly injection is all it takes to stop puberty in its tracks until the normal age of puberty, at which time the injections are stopped. However, sometimes …

Why is an X-ray used to help diagnose precocious puberty?

An X-ray of the hands is a convenient way of seeing if your child's bone growth is faster than normal for their age.

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About this article

Author: Lauren Donley BSc (Hons)
First answered: 18 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Votes: 1214 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Acne

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