Periods, Younger and younger.

Early puberty is rising worldwide and is more common in girls with around 16% of girls and 6% of boys experiencing early puberty in Australia. For girls, it is before 8 years old or the onset of menstruation before age 9.
As well as being potentially disturbing for the child, early puberty has been linked to a number of negative health issues. Once activated, it is hard to curb the progression of puberty. However, it is possible to prevent the onset of early puberty and/ or slow the advancement in young girls already experiencing this condition.

But why does it occur?

The cause of early puberty is poorly understood, though some risk factors have been identified, including:

• Childhood obesity - especially when combined with low birth weight and then rapid weight gain from age 0 to 24 months

• Diabetes - either in the child themselves or family history. Interestingly girls with an overweight mother who developed gestational diabetes (whilst pregnant with that girl), are 2.5 times more likely to have earlier onset puberty.

• Psychological stress, childhood trauma, and/or lack of parental warmth.

• Chronic sleep disturbances in the child is also an established risk factor.

Early puberty has been linked to a number of negative health issues:

• Mental health issues

• emotional disturbances

• behavioural problems

• Increased risk of reproductive and epithelial tissue cancers

• Obesity, insulin resistance, and/or increased risk of developing type II diabetes

• Increased risk of girls developing PCOS, particularly if genetically predisposed

• Linked to girls developing functional ovarian hyperandrogenism (FOH) (i.e.: irregular periods, excessive hair, elevated serum androgen levels)

Once activated, it is hard to curb the progression of precocious puberty. However, the following recommendations may help to prevent the onset of early puberty and/ or slow the advancement in young girls.

• Emotional and behavioural support: Many children with early puberty experience emotional, behavioural and stress issues even before puberty, which can then exacerbate issues experienced during and after puberty. I can provide strategies for emotional and behavioural support and may be able to help intervene early to help prevent later problems in social adjustment.

• Sleep and stress support: Sleep disturbances are linked with early puberty, so sleep-promoting practices can be recommended alongside good sleep routines and behavioural interventions like anxiety relaxation techniques.

• Magnesium is safe for children and can help improve sleep, anxiety, attention, mood, hyperactivity, migraines and cramps.

• Diet and lifestyle: A balanced healthy diet and exercise can help children adapt and accept their changing bodies. Reducing obesity and excess weight in younger children can also help prevent early-onset puberty and improve metabolic health with early puberty.

Early puberty can be confusing and stressful for a child, so support and education are key in guiding them through this transition. Providing information, emotional/ behavioural strategies, stress-reduction techniques, dietary changes and nutritional support can help slow the progression and reduce the risk of health issues related to early puberty later on.