While typically starting between 8 and 13, girls can begin puberty as young as 7 or 8, though puberty before age 7 is considered precocious puberty and warrants a doctor's visit, with some factors like genetics, environment, obesity, and diet influencing the earlier start, and studies showing a trend towards earlier onset.
For girls, the stages of puberty start around the age of 8. This may sound young, but we are seeing physical puberty changes start younger and younger and depending on genetics, you may even start to see puberty changes at the age of 7.
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.
Most commonly, especially in girls, precocious puberty is due to the brain sending signals earlier than it should. There is no other underlying medical problem or trigger. This also can often run in families. Less often, precocious puberty stems from a more serious problem, such as a tumor or trauma.
Girls usually begin puberty between the ages of 8 and 13 years old. The earliest sign of puberty in most girls is the development of breast "buds," nickel-sized bumps under the nipple. It is not unusual for breast growth to start on one side before the other.
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.
Leading up to your first period, you may notice these symptoms: Cramping (pain or achiness in your belly, back or legs). Bloating (your belly feels full or swollen). Tender or sore breasts (chest).
Additionally, there may be signs such as rapid height growth, pubic and underarm hair, acne, mood changes, and body odor. According to the Food Safety Department of the Ministry of Health, foods that can cause early puberty include fried foods; animal organs; soy milk; ready-to-eat foods, etc.
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.
Breast buds are normal, small disc-shaped rubbery lumps felt under the nipple. Age: they normally occur in 8 to 12 year old girls. They are the first sign of puberty. Sometimes, they are even normal in 7 year olds.
What You Can Do
Other high-fat foods like chocolate, chips, cakes and fried foods can increase your weight without giving your body many nutrients. Fluids are also an important part of your diet. Drink water to keep hydrated, so you won't feel so tired or thirsty. It can also help to prevent constipation.
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.
Most girls begin puberty between 8 and 13 years. Your daughter is starting puberty early. Starting early may be socially awkward for your daughter but it does not mean that there is anything wrong.
Puberty usually starts anywhere between 8 years and 14 years and can last up to 4 years. Your child may become more emotional during this time. They may start to become more interested in developing romantic relationships with others and questioning their sexuality and gender identity.
Usually, a first period is preceded by other puberty symptoms, such as the growth of pubic hair, breast development, and body shape changes.
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, pesticides, personal care and other common products may be interfering with girls' hormonal systems. These chemicals can mimic or interfere with natural hormones, potentially triggering premature puberty.
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.
Children who consume large amounts of animal protein (e.g., meat, eggs, and dairy) during this period start puberty on average one year earlier than those who consume more plant-based protein. Conversely, children with higher plant-protein intake tend to experience a 7-month delay in puberty onset compared to average.
Puberty is the body's natural process of sexual maturation. Puberty's trigger lies in a small part of the brain called the hypothalamus, a gland that secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
But if I could go back, here's some advice I'd give to my 13-year-old self to better navigate puberty:
For most teens, mood swings begin around puberty, typically between ages 11 and 13, and gradually settle as they move into their late teens and early 20s. By this time, hormonal fluctuations stabilize, and the brain's emotional regulation systems — particularly the prefrontal cortex — continue to mature.
Girls begin puberty at different ages. It can start as early as age 9. By age 15, most girls have fully developed.
Menarche (the start of a girl's menstrual period) is not dependent upon weight alone but the amount of body fat, height and weight all play a role in determining the start of puberty. A woman's genes and the age her mother began her period is a major factor in determining when a girl will have her period.