Yes, adrenarche is the normal adrenal gland maturation process that directly causes the development of pubic hair (pubarche), along with underarm hair, body odor, and skin oiliness, usually starting around ages 8-9, though it can happen earlier (premature adrenarche). This is triggered by increased production of adrenal androgens, primarily DHEA, and is a key, distinct step before full gonadal puberty.
Adrenarche is the natural process in which your child's adrenal glands start producing a hormone called DHEA. This eventually leads to the development of armpit and pubic hair and body odor. Premature adrenarche happens when these signs develop in girls younger than 8 or boys younger than 9.
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.
The adrenal androgen hormones, which are the cause of early pubic hair, are different from the hormones that cause breast enlargement (estrogens coming from the ovaries) or growth of the penis (testosterone from the testes).
Key features of premature adrenarche
It's not known what causes the adrenal gland to begin secreting androgens early. Since exposure to these hormones causes premature adrenarche, your child may also experience it if she comes in contact with hormone creams or other hormonal medications.
Girls usually begin to develop breasts and then pubic hair at around 10 or 11 years of age, but the range of normal is between 8 and 13 years old. Menstrual periods usually start around 12 to 13 years of age, but may occur earlier or later and still be normal.
As an ob-gyn, I want you to know that pubic hair is normal. Whether to groom or let it grow is your choice—no one else's. And there is no reason to apologize about your pubic hair, to your ob-gyn or anyone else.
High levels of androgens in a female can cause:
Two of the most significant signs are: Breast development (“thelarche”) starts 2 to 3 years before the first period, often around age 8. Pubic hair development (“pubarche”) usually happens 1 to 2 years before the first period. The average age for pubarche is 11.6 years old.
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.
The cause of precocious puberty often can't be found. Rarely, certain conditions, such as infections, hormone issues, tumors, brain issues or injuries, may cause precocious puberty. Treatment for precocious puberty usually includes medicines to delay puberty.
Adrenarche typically begins between ages 6 and 9, while puberty usually begins between ages 8 and 14. Adrenarche can be associated with physical changes like the start of pubic or underarm hair growth and body odor, while puberty is marked by changes like breast and testicle development.
Exaggerated Adrenarche (EXAD), occurring in 10-15% of children with IPA, is characterized by an elevated >10 DHEA/Δ4 ratio (theoretically indicating reduced 3-β-HSD activity) and accelerated bone age (BA) maturation, continuously increasing the projecting distance from the target height (TH) curve, beyond the one ...
Pubarche is the physical manifestation of adrenarche and is characterized by the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, adult apocrine body odor, acne, and increased oiliness of hair and skin. Pubarche is considered premature if it develops before age eight years in girls and nine years in boys.
During Puberty Girls Grow Fast and Early
Unlike boys, their fastest rate of growth occurs early in puberty. They also gain more fat than boys in preparation for their menstrual cycle. They go from gaining about 5 pounds a year before puberty, to 12-23 pounds during puberty as shown below.
And don't forget, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and exercising – especially muscle strengthening and resistance-based training like weights – are particularly helpful in the management of PCOS alongside the above to help reduce androgens too!
Zinc is one of the most powerful supplements to combat high testosterone levels! Zinc inhibits the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a more potent androgen that can cause worsened symptoms. So, by reducing the conversion of DHT, zinc lowers testosterone!
Pathophysiology of Hirsutism and Hypertrichosis
Hair growth depends on the balance between androgens (eg, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS], dihydrotestosterone [DHT]) and estrogens. Androgens promote thick, dark hair growth. Testosterone stimulates hair growth in the pubic area and underarms.
However, she has noticed that more members of Gen Z are choosing to eschew body-hair removal—pubes included, as well as leg hair and happy trails. “They have completely redefined gender and beauty,” she says.
Do I need to shave or wax before my appointment? No, you don't need to shave or wax. However, if there's something going on with your skin, shaving or waxing will make it easier for your physician to evaluate the area.
This creates a setup for a bacterial skin infection. Many of the common “ingrown hairs,” skin rashes, infected hair follicles as well as more serious abscesses and skin infections in the genital region can be traced back to shaving. Alternative hair removal strategies are preferred.
How will I know when my periods are going to start? Signs that your period is on its way are if you've grown underarm and pubic hair. Typically, you'll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but it varies from person to person.
Females tend to gain the most weight during two key periods: emerging adulthood (late teens to mid-20s) when life changes often disrupt habits, and midlife (around ages 45-55) during menopause due to hormonal shifts that decrease muscle and increase abdominal fat, although the rate of gain slows in later decades. While the 20s see significant overall gain, menopause brings distinct body composition changes and fat redistribution, not just scale weight.
What You Can Do