Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To be concerned about my sons lack of body hair.

28 replies

MrsFox12 · 16/02/2017 08:58

Normally a lurker but I'm on holiday at the moment and this is quite worrying me.

My son is 17 he has absolutely no hair on his body, not even armpit hair or pubic hair (he had a rash a few months ago there. He also has no signs of an Adam's apple and is very small and skinny.

You might say genetics but my family tends to be not tall but average height but well built (so is ex husbands family).

Compared to my dss who is the same age they look like they could be 5 years apart. He has hairy legs more than most men) and sideburns and armpit hair. He has a much more muscular build.

I know that puberty happens at different stages and starts earlier or later, and that we are all different but surely at 17. I think even my ds has noticed it.

Shall I get a gps appointment, but I'm worried it will give ds confidence issues.

Aibu.

OP posts:

blahblahblah2000 · 16/02/2017 09:03

I would take him to see the GP. To be honest he would have noticed the difference and likely be aware that he hadn't grown / matured like his friends.

Screwinthetuna · 16/02/2017 09:05

I would take him the GP for reassurance. A friend of mine started puberty at 16 so late onset is not unheard of but definitely take him

reallyanotherone · 16/02/2017 09:08

Any other signs of puberty?

I think at 17 you may need to have a conversation about him going to the gp.

I don't think you should "take him to the gp", iyswim. He's 17, his body his choice.

But you should offer to support him, make the appointment, go with, not go with, sit in the waiting room, whatever he is comfortable with.

Discuss that puberty should have started, and there is a chance it may not, and he may need something to kick start it, or find out if he has a medical issue that is preventing it.

NotBadConsidering · 16/02/2017 09:08

This definitely needs investigation. Bloods for hormones, karyotype and bone age X-ray with referral to a paediatric endocrinologist. Can still be in range of normal but needs investigation at 17.

NotBadConsidering · 16/02/2017 09:10

Does he have any problems with his sense of smell?

scaevola · 16/02/2017 09:12

Yes, I think he needs to see a GP.

Showing no signs of puberty by 17 for a boy may need intervention (or a decision when to intervene if it's watchful wait for a bit longer) and so I'd want to get him into the system whilst still of an age to fall under paediatric services

Original poster

MrsFox12 · 16/02/2017 09:15

I mean all I can say is that I've always made sure he eats a healthy balanced diet.

I will speak to him.

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsFox12 · 16/02/2017 09:22

Also what treatments would they do?

OP posts:

BoboChic · 16/02/2017 09:27

It sounds as if your DS hasn't yet started puberty. Definitely ensure he goes to the GP. If he wants you to go with him, that's fine, and if he wants to go alone, that's fine too. Personally I believe that it's generally better to be open with family members about medical issues and, if your son is going to be referred to a consultant or need tests, he will need your support so don't encourage him to deal with this alone.

Rikalaily · 16/02/2017 09:31

Has his voice broken? That was the first major sign that happened with my ds, he had a few longer baby fine hairs under his arms before this but they weren't noticeable, then his voice broke and he started getting more hair and his adams apple became more prominent, he's nearly 15 and started puberty about a year ago.

ArriettyClock1 · 16/02/2017 09:34

I know someone whose son showed no signs of puberty at 17, he was very short too.

He was put on hormone treatment. He was very unhappy about it, but it has made a difference.

Original poster

MrsFox12 · 16/02/2017 09:35

Has his voice broken?

This going to sound buzzare but I can't tell. I suppose yes a little bit.

OP posts:

saoirse31 · 16/02/2017 09:38

Def go, but u or his father need to have conversation with him about that. Has he never raised this with you as a worry?

saoirse31 · 16/02/2017 09:39

Go to gp that is..

ArriettyClock1 · 16/02/2017 09:39

I didn't notice my eldest son's voice breaking.

It was only when I watched some old video on my phone that I realised the (huge) difference

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 16/02/2017 09:40

MrsFox
DS1 voice is breaking and I noticed it when he called me from another room and he sounded like a man not a child. It caught me by surprise.

I would also suggest the GP.

Alaia5 · 16/02/2017 09:47

MrsFox -Has his voice not changed yet? Is he very fair haired? I've noticed puberty often happens earlier in teens of Asian descent -e.g. DS' friend has been shaving since 11 (he is Indian) and his voice changed even before that. DS has just turned 14 and has a moustache and hair on body now, but he is dark-haired (Iranian /Spanish). His voice changed quite suddenly after he grew from about 5 ft 10 to over 6ft in the space of a couple of months. Their face and neck seems to change shape somehow too. I would say most if his friends have had some "vocal change" by now at least, even if they haven't had an obvious growth spurt.

I always thought it's a bit like teeth -e.g. my daughter didn't lose any until she was 8, but it may be worth getting your DS' hormone levels checked.

lilybetsy · 16/02/2017 09:56

I am GP and this is not normal. You MUST take him to a doctor

Idefix · 16/02/2017 10:07

This needs a GP appt op.

This isn't as simple as his body his choice, in that I thinking ds would need medical advice before he can decide what he wants to do about this issue.

Otherpeoplesteens · 16/02/2017 10:19

It is not particularly unusual for a young adult male to have no facial, chest, or armpit hair even after going through puberty, particularly if they are blond or red-headed. And it is also not at all unusual for teens to shave their pubic area. That being said, if he shows no other signs of having gone through puberty - testicular enlargement, growth spurt, bigger hands and feet, ability to produce semen - then I might be tempted to worry a little too at 17.

If it helps, I am very close to a boy who is about to turn 17 and who, six months ago, could still easily pass for a child of 11 or 12 - a short skinny one at that. His voice hadn't broken and he had no body hair (or at least he didn't outside his speedos). Of course he was aware of it, very. He couldn't not be, but his so-called school friends made sure of it anyway: when you're referred to as "Pubeless" in front of your face as well as behind your back when you're doing your GCSEs it kind of focuses your attention. It was a monkey on his back at times. What really helped was a supportive, reassuring network of good genuine friends who constantly pointed out that they liked him for the things he could influence rather than the ones he couldn't, and supportive adults who recognised that it was an issue for him without making him feel like a freak or somehow inadequate. It did eventually happen for him, slowly, naturally, and he is physically catching up with his peers although you'd never view him as a muscular, manly young adult.

We were ready to go down the medical route and explore testosterone treatment when it started to happen - as PP have said GP would be the first port of call and at 17 would take it seriously. Below 16 they'd fob you off. The biggest problem his mother had was how to broach the subject initially without making him feel freakish or inadequate.

Original poster

MrsFox12 · 16/02/2017 10:44

otherpeoplesteens

That's what worries me, the teasing.

OP posts:

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/02/2017 10:47

And it is also not at all unusual for teens to shave their pubic area

That's a point OP - are you fairly certain he is naturally hair free?

Sallystyle · 16/02/2017 10:52

My son is under an endocrine team for the same thing.

He is 17 and a half now and his voice has broken at last and he has some body hair. I thought it was never going to happen. He didn't have hormonal treatment in the end. It turned out he also had really low levels of vitamin D and once that was sorted his puberty eventually started. I do not know if it was related or just a coincidence. About 6 months ago he could pass as a 11 year old and it was really embarrassing for him, but suddenly it all just happened.

He is still very young looking compared to his peers but he is getting there.

He needs to see a GP for sure. It could signify a medical issue that needs dealing with.

My son has a follow up next week and I have no doubt he will be discharged now.

titchy · 16/02/2017 11:08

17!!! Fuck me why didn't you take him 2 or 3 years ago? Not entering puberty at 17 is massively abnormal.

Sallystyle · 16/02/2017 11:33

17!!! Fuck me why didn't you take him 2 or 3 years ago? Not entering puberty at 17 is massively abnormal.

Two or three years ago the GP would not be interested. Under 16 and they tell you to wait as late onset puberty is pretty common. Even at 16 they don't seem to be too concerned. At 17 they will want him seen by the endocrine team.

Flip

1 2