Adrenarche or "the awakening
of the adrenal gland" is an early stage in sexual maturation that
typically begins around the age of 10 or 11, which entails the development of
body odor, skin oiliness, acne and pubic hair. Being overweight increases
a child's risk for premature adrenarche. Premature adrenarche occurs
when the adrenal gland begins secreting sex hormones called androgens earlier
than normal, which would lead to a child developing pubic hair for example at
the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys. It is however worth noting that the
adrenal hormones responsible for the development of pubic hair and body odor are different
from those that affect the maturation of sex organs. Testosterone produced in
the testes is responsible for the growth of the penis while estrogens produced in
the ovaries are responsible for the enlargement of breasts.
More often than not, girls with
premature adrenarche tend to have periods a little earlier than the average,
but usually not before the age of 10. Girls with premature adrenarche are also
at risk of developing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - a health issue
caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. PCOS symptoms include
irregular or absent periods, increased facial hair and body hair (hirsutism),
severe acne, being overweight. These symptoms are not to be considered in
isolation but as a whole when making a case for PCOS. It is important that female children with premature
adrenarche maintain a healthy weight and healthy diet and exercise in order to
lower the risk of developing PCOS.
There
is no treatment for premature adrenarche - no medication will make pubic or
underarm hair go away. Deodorants can be used in controlling body odor.
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