Hair on genitals - age 6

[Llareggub]

My DS announced proudly today that he has hair on his balls. I asked if I could have a quick look and he does. It is fine, blond but long and very noticeable. Is this normal? He has white blond hair and I have noticed recently that his legs have got noticeably hairy too - and quite thick hair. My 4 year old, in contrast, has thin, soft hair on his legs.

I really don't want to google this.

My dd started with this at a very young age, about 3 iirc. I was and very worried of course as she was getting very definite signs of pubic hair.

I had her checked 2 or three times by a specialist endocrinologist over a period of about 18 months who said in her case it was something called Premature Andrenarche and the hair growth was not a sign of early puberty but just the side effect that some children get when they have a growth spurt caused by adrenal glands. Uncommon but not unheard of and nothing to worry about.

Well I did still worry (cos as dh says, I seem to like to have things to worry about) and was rather unconvinced by all this and kept a very close eye on her but the doctor turned out to be quite correct.

Even though she went on to develop completely regarding pubic hair, nothing else happened and she has not (now nearly 12) had any other unusually early puberty signs other than what you would normally expect now she's at an older age and staring to change along the same rate as anyone else.

Obviously this isn't a diagnosis and I think you should get this checked as you are concerned, but don't panic, it may not be what it seems, unless there are other symptoms.

Of course it may not even be that and just the way your ds is anyway. But do get your mind put at rest.

I must add in my dd's case the p/hair development was genital only and no-where else ie under arms etc.

Thanks for that. Never thought to look under his arms. I'm glad it turned out ok with your DD. I might book an appointment just to be sure.