Pubarche
Pubarche refers to the first appearance of pubic hair at puberty. Pubarche[1] is one of the physical changes of puberty and can occur independently of complete puberty. Pubarche usually results from rising levels of androgen and not estrogens in females, and androgens in males from the adrenal glands, ovaries, or testes but may also result from exposure to an anabolic steroid.[2]
When pubarche occurs prematurely (in early or mid-childhood), it is referred to as premature pubarche or precocious puberty and may warrant an evaluation. Premature adrenarche is the most common cause of premature pubarche. Premature adrenarche is when hormones are elevated before the age of 8 to 9 years old. For premature adrenarche to be diagnosed, some conditions must be ruled out such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-producing tumors of the adrenals or gonads.[3] When adrenarche, central puberty, and all pathologic conditions have been excluded, the term isolated premature pubarche is used to describe the unexplained development of pubic hair at an early age without other hormonal or physical changes of puberty.
Average age
The average beginning of pubarche varies due to many factors, including climate, nourishment, weight, nurture, and genes. First (and often transient) pubic hair resulting from adrenarche may appear between ages 10–12 at the beginning of puberty.
See also
References
- ^ The word results from the combination of a Latin and a Greek word: pub-es, "adult, full-grown, manly", and ἀρχή [arkʰɛ̌ː], "beginning, onset".
- ^ Callahan, Tamara L.; Caughey, Aaron B.; Heffner, Linda (2003). Blueprints Obstetrics & Gynecology. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 1-4051-0331-0.
- ^ Novello, Laura; Speiser, Phyllis W. (2018). "Premature Adrenarche". Pediatric Annals. 47 (1): e7–e11. doi:10.3928/19382359-20171214-04. ISSN 1938-2359. PMID 29323690.
External links
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