Diabetes & Other Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

Problems in Puberty

Puberty is the time of a person's life when his/her body changes from child to adult, accompanied by the process of sexual maturation. Puberty is caused by changes in hormones and includes both physical and emotional growth. In addition, with the onset of puberty, the secondary sexual characteristics begin to develop, such as pubic hair, breasts in girls, and a deepening of the voice in boys. On average, puberty begins in girls between the ages of 8 and 13 and in boys between the ages of 9 and 14.

Sometimes, puberty may occur earlier or later than usual. In addition, certain tumors that grow on the reproductive organs, such as the ovaries, can stimulate the early secretion of estrogen (female sex hormone) or androgen (male sex hormone), causing early outward appearances of puberty.

Problems with puberty require the clinical care of a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some problems associated with puberty, for which we have provided a brief overview.

If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Diabetes & Other Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders Online Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional information on that topic.

Precocious Puberty (Early Puberty)

Gonadotropin-Independent Precocious Puberty

Delayed Puberty

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Contact Information

Jennifer Amaral
Endocrinology and Diabetes

Stephen W. Ponder, M.D. C.D.E. - Medical Director
Endocrinology and Diabetes

Children's Diabetes and Endocrine Center
4th Floor in the Joseph M. Sloan Building
3533 S. Alameda St.
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
Clinic appointments: (361) 694-4986
Business Office: (361) 694-4864
Office Fax: (361) 694-4832

Keep your family SAFE

Lion's Camp Medical Staff Guidelines in PDF format

Lion's Camp Medical Staff Application in Word

Further Reading

Diabetes Index

Anatomy of the Endocrine System

Acanthosis Nigricans

Growth in Children

Diabetes

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Hypoglycemia in the Newborn

Problems in Puberty

Ambiguous Genitalia

Disorders Affecting the Thyroid

Disorders Affecting the Pituitary Gland

Disorders Affecting Calcium Metabolism

Disorders Affecting the Adrenal Glands

Glossary

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Weight to Go!

Weigh of Life

Dr. Stephen Ponder on How to Save Your Life with Dr. Philip Steig.Click to listen to podcast