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Precocious Puberty - Too Fast, Too Soon

It sounds absurd: A six-year-old girl entering puberty.

And yet, that’s what pediatricians are starting to see these days. Some girls are developing breasts and showing other early signs of puberty before they even get to first grade.

Researchers say it’s not because of growth hormones in milk. Other explanations appear more likely.  One possible cause is ongoing exposure to chemicals that speed the pace of sexual development.  While proof certain of their impact on people is difficult to establish, we know from studies of animals that certain compounds in soft plastic water bottles, personal care products and some pesticides cause rapid sexual development. Another major culprit is obesity, which signals the female body that it has enough excess calories to sustain a pregnancy and therefore launches sexual development.

If your child appears to be experiencing early puberty, it’s time for a trip to the pediatrician. There are medications that can delay the onset of menstruation, though you may still find yourself dealing with other symptoms more typical of teenage girls than elementary school kids, such as emotional swings and budding breasts.

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To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org