Causes of Early Puberty in Girls

Early puberty can prove very stressful for girls as well as difficult for them to handle. Learn about the common causes of early puberty in girls so that you can help them to prevent it.

Puberty is the stage when your kids change physically and psychologically into young men and women. In girls, puberty starts between ages 8 and 13. The onset of signs of puberty before 7 or 8 years of age in girls is called precocious puberty, which can be difficult for kids to handle so much of physical and emotional steps at such an early age. Breast development, premature hair growth in underarms, and menstruation at an early age are some of the signs of precocious puberty in girls. There are no certain causes but few factors of early puberty in girls.

Obesity

Many studies have shown the strong connection between an increased risk of early puberty and obesity in young girls. Excess body fat causes the body mass index (BMI) to increase, which changes the levels of the hormones, such as estrogen, leptin, and insulin. These speed up the pubertal timing. It has also been proved that lowered melatonin levels due to lack of physical activity in body send signals to the brain that trigger early puberty in young girls.

Excessive Consumption of Meat and Diary

Animal protein has a lot of adverse effects, and one of them is the early onset of puberty. Studies have shown that higher meat intake or intake of any sort of animal protein in an excessive amount leads to early puberty. Excessive meat and dairy consumption in children leads to the intake of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that have usually accumulated in animal tissues. EDCs change the action of normal hormones and pose a serious threat to adults as well, and are a serious concern behind triggering early puberty in young girls.

Other Dietary Factors

The modern diet is proven to be really harmful for young kids and also adults. Too much of processed foods, processed meat and dairy, fast food intake, empty calorie intake, etc. lead to lower nutrient diet, which is lacking vitamins, minerals, macronutrients, and certain whole foods. All these factors change the normal way of how body hormones work and disrupts the normal development and aging. Young girls with modern diet start aging prematurely and thus face the consequences of early puberty.

Exposure to Other EDCs

Other EDCs, such as BPA and phthalates, are directly linked to early puberty in young girls. BPA used in the manufacture of rigid plastics, such as water bottles, cups, food storage cans, etc. can leach from containers into food and beverages, and mostly when you heat and wash the containers. Phthalates are used to make flexible PVC plastics, such as hair spray, shampoo, nail polish, food packaging, raincoats, shower curtains, lubricants, adhesives, vinyl flooring, detergents, hoses, andwall coverings. You have to be careful for the surrounding your young girl is growing up in.

Genetics

Early puberty can also be triggered by a small change in the DNA sequence, which is called genetic mutation. It can trigger the early release of sex hormones. It happens more often when young girls have a parent with similar genetic abnormalities. It could also happen if the young girl has a sibling whose gene is similarly mutated.Early puberty in young girls is troublesome as it can cause a lot of stress, behavioral issues, and early sexual activity in your children at a much earlier age, which can restrict them enjoying their childhood. But you can help them by changing their diet at an early age – minimize dairy and meat intake, cut down intake of processed and junk food to a large extent, avoid synthetic food, buy more organic products, and minimize your kids’ exposure to BPA, phthalates, and other EDCs. It is also necessary to encourage your child to exercise regularly to prevent problems like early puberty. If you can bring such changes in your family, it would not only prevent early puberty in your young girl, but would do good to your health too.

What are the causes of early puberty in girls? How to prevent early puberty in girls? What problems can be caused due to early puberty in girls? Discuss here.