Ashley Villeda remembers when her daughter Ellie first got her period. She was 8, and she was scared. “She thought she was bleeding to death or dying,” Villeda, of Fort Worth, says. “I took her to the bathroom, I showed her a pad and explained to her that Mommy and all females go through these changes in life.” While second or third grade may seem quite young for such changes—and to cope with monthly menstruation—it’s not entirely uncommon. Puberty is starting earlier and earlier, and the numbers are startling.
Here’s the statistics: Girls in the U.S. are getting their periods about 6 months earlier than they did in just the last few decades, according to a study published this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). While that shift may seem small, consider that the same study found the percentages of early and very early first periods have increased almost two-fold among females born in 1950 versus 2005. And yet another study found that the age of first menstruation has fallen three years in the last century.
“The average now is 11 years, 9 months,” says Dr. Sonia Shukla-Ahluwalia, a pediatrician at Pecan Tree Pediatrics in Wylie who leads puberty workshops for kids and teens across Dallas-Fort Worth through the Turning Teen program. “But that’s just the average; the fiftieth percentile. That means many girls are getting their periods when they’re 10-something. Girls are indeed getting it very early.”
And that first period actually comes toward the end of puberty for girls; the “grand finale,” as Shukla-Ahluwalia puts it. Typically, the first signs of puberty in girls—the development of breast buds or pubic hair happen about two years before menstruation. And these changes are happening earlier too. JAMA Pediatrics found from 1977 to 2013, girls showed signs of starting puberty about three months earlier every decade, or about one year earlier every 30 years.
Today, the average age for the start of puberty for girls is between the ages of 8 and 13. This can vary by race; Black girls often experience puberty before most Caucasian girls.
And what about boys? They typically start puberty between 9 and 14. And at least one study suggests they’re trending earlier, too, though the pattern may not be as extreme as noted in girls.
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What’s Causing Earlier Puberty?
Just why are our kids hitting puberty earlier than generations before them? There’s no one answer. But most experts agree the rise in childhood obesity is at least somehow related.
“Body weight seems to be one of the primary factors associated with the timing of pubertal onset,” says Dr. Soumya Adhikari, a pediatric endocrinologist at Children’s Health in Dallas and associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “Generally speaking, higher body fat content is associated with earlier onset of puberty.”
That could be because fat cells produce estrogen, explains Dr. Shanna Combs, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. “If you’re obese, you’re already making estrogen that’s not maybe in the traditional sense, coming from the brain and ovaries. You’re making it on your fat cells, which then might stimulate the brain and ovary process further.”
But this is just one piece of the puzzle, and the reason for earlier puberty is likely multifactorial. Other theories have to do with hormones in food or chemicals we come into contact with, known as endocrine disrupting chemicals. These may interfere with the production or function of natural hormones in our body. New research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences recently identified a compound, musk ambrette, which could affect an area of the brain that triggers hormone production. Musk ambrette is a synthetic fragrance widely used in scented personal care products.
“Stress is another variable,” says Adhikari. “There is data suggesting an association between things which we might identify as ‘stressful’—socioeconomic status, non-intact households, etc.—and earlier onset of puberty. But are those independent factors, or are they associations because those are also contributing to higher risk of obesity and other risk factors known to be associated with puberty starting earlier? We don’t have a definitive answer to this.”
Maturing early
When puberty starts too early—a clinical condition called precocious puberty, in which girls younger than 8 or boys younger than 9 show pubertal signs—it can have a lasting impact on a child’s growth and development. “When puberty starts earlier than usual, a child’s bones may mature too quickly. This accelerated bone growth can lead to an initial growth spurt, but it also causes the growth plates to close earlier,” Adhikari says. “As a result, children who experience early puberty might end up shorter in height as adults, than they would have if puberty had occurred at the typical age.”
“Kids who develop younger tend to think they are the only one experiencing these changes so it can cause confusion.”
But children who begin puberty on the low end of what’s considered normal face challenges too. These early bloomers often confront a mismatch between their physical appearance and emotional maturity. Children who look older than their age may be treated differently by both adults and peers, leading to social isolation or increased pressure to behave in ways they may not be emotionally ready for. “It can create an environment ripe for stress and anxiety, potentially affecting self-esteem and mental well-being,” says Adhikari.
Some research suggests girls who develop early are more at risk for issues like anxiety and depression. Boys who mature earlier may be bigger and stronger than their peers, but also must cope with increased testosterone, which can be hard to manage at a young age.
Puberty comes with complex cerebral changes too, and the child’s emotions may feel more intense. “Children may not know where the emotions are coming from and can feel confused,” says Amy English, a licensed professional counselor at Let’s Talk Counseling in Carrollton. “Kiddos become more emotionally dysregulated without the skills yet to handle the emotions.”
Being the first among their friends to go these changes can also feel isolating. Children who develop earlier than their peers may feel out of place or self-conscious about their changing bodies. “Early bloomers may feel like they are the only one experiencing this and something is ‘wrong’ with them,” says English. “Kids who develop younger tend to think they are the only one experiencing these changes so it can cause confusion.”
That was the case with 8-year-old Ellie. “She started to struggle with self-confidence,” says Villeda. “Crying because her friends didn’t have the same issues … or if other girls did, they didn’t talk about it because they didn’t feel normal. We need to normalize it; have earlier chats.”
When to Start Talking
Experts recommend parents start having conversations about puberty before the changes start happening, so children know what to expect. And with more and more children maturing earlier, the time to talk might be sooner than parents think. For girls, it might be around age 8 and for boys, age 9, but keep in mind your individual child’s development. Your pediatrician can offer individual guidance on whether your child is showing signs of being close to the start of puberty.
These developments can feel uncomfortable to bring up, especially with younger children, but talking openly will help your child feel less awkward or stressed if they’re noticing changes in themselves or their peers. Plus, you’ll model that these topics are OK to talk about—not something that’s taboo or shameful. “Normalize these conversations as part of growing up,” says Karen Abonza, a licensed professional counselor at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Forth. “This can make kids more comfortable discussing more sensitive topics later on.”
Don’t worry about having a speech on puberty prepared; kids respond better to a conversation versus a lecture. This isn’t a one-time talk where you have to give them all the information at once. Talking about puberty should be small, age-appropriate chats that happen over the course of a few years.
To make it feel less awkward, talk shoulder to shoulder, not eye to eye. In other words, English says, “When having hard conversations, kids are more open if they are engaged in an activity with parent. They feel less embarrassed and put on the spot. Some great tricks may be use of card games, board games, or drawing.”
Use anatomically correct terms and be direct but age appropriate. You can start with tidbits about physical changes they will experience like growth spurts, body hair and hormonal changes and add in more information with each conversation. Explain that all of these developments happen at different ages and at different stages for everyone.
“Be curious and ask questions about what changes the kiddo has already noticed,” suggests English. “Most kiddos love sharing about how are now taller or stronger. Parents can add on to the conversation over time, mentioning what other changes might occur. Bring up how a kid is continuing to get taller and now other body parts are changing as well.”
Be prepared to answer questions but keep explanations straightforward and broken down to their level. “Kids are really looking for just a quick one- or two-liner, not the whole science book,” says Shukla-Ahluwalia. “Keep it simple, and they’ll come back if they want to know more. The overall theme is just simply, your body is changing from a kid body to a grown-up body.”
Guiding the Early Bloomer
Early bloomers may need extra reassurance that these changes are normal, and though they might be the first among their peers to experience them, eventually everyone else will too. But remember these kiddos might be going through physical and mental changes before they’re emotionally mature enough to handle them, so make space for their feelings. Validate what they feel, whether that’s confused, uncomfortable or embarrassed. It can help to share your own experiences of growing up.
Don’t paint their early development as something negative or abnormal. Instead, you can say, “It’s kind of like when you lose your teeth in elementary school and you don’t know when it’s your turn to see the Tooth Fairy,” suggests Shukla-Ahluwalia. “There might be kids in your class who got the visit from the Tooth Fairy first. But you all end up getting the same amount of visits, it just depends on when your body is ready.”
You can help your child feel surer of their changing body by giving them control of certain aspects of their health. “Give them choice in bra shopping, choosing the scent of their deodorant or skin care products, creating their own personal bag with sanitary napkins,” says English. “When kids feel like they are able to choose and have some sense of control in a confusing time, it helps them to navigate the situation easier.”
But be prepared for some strain as your kiddo maneuvers through these changes. Moodiness and outbursts are part of puberty, at any age. This is a time for social transition, too, when peer relationships become very important to kids. Expect them to want more independence and try to respect their desire for privacy.
You can’t control the changes that puberty will bring, but you can help your child through the transition. “As a parent, your role in providing emotional support is crucial,” says Adhikari. “Reassure them that what they’re going through is a normal part of growing up, even if it’s happening a bit sooner than expected. Ensuring they have a strong support system, both at home and among friends, can make a world of difference in how they navigate this challenging time.”
How Early is Too Early?
Breast development before the age of 8 in girls, or testicular enlargement before the age of 9 in boys could be a sign of precocious puberty, which can be associated with long-term health impacts. If you’re concerned about your child, start by talking to your pediatrician. They can examine your child, look over their growth, and possibly order X-rays or bloodwork to determine the best course of action.
“If puberty is truly starting early, whether due to simple early timing or something more complicated, there are hormonal treatments to slow it down that pediatricians and pediatric endocrinologists can help parents think through to determine whether what is right for their child,” says Dr. Soumya Adhikari, a pediatric endocrinologist at Children’s Health in Dallas. These treatments allow children more time to grow and develop emotionally and physically at a pace that’s right for them.
What Else Can You Do?
Much more research is needed to directly link any cause, lifestyle or substance to earlier puberty. However, there’s no harm in limiting kids’ exposure to synthetic fragrances, plastics and processed foods. And experts recommend an active lifestyle (at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day) and nutritious foods.
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Top image: iStock, Sean Parsons
