Is it possible for a boy to get female hormone instead of male during puberty?

[Namiochangio]

Name changed just for this question as it's about my son and don't want him to be identified.

My son is 12 going on 13. I don't believe he is far into puberty. He has gained a fair bit of weight in the last 6 months but is not particularly overeating. He is growing taller too but seems to have more of a girly shape than a boys. He is not shy about his body and still walks about naked to and from the shower/bath.

He said about a year ago that he was getting new hair "down below" but he still doesn't have enough that is visible on the casual glance (I know I shouldn't look, but when he is standing there naked, it's hard not to notice) His penis also seems smaller than it used to be.

He has no other visible hair which seems strange as even as a small boy he had quite hairy legs. He has dark hair so it would be noticeable. He is not broadening at the shoulders at all and noticed at the weekend that his hands seem really small and delicate compared to the rest of him. If anything his facial features are softer rather than becoming more male

Is it possible that he is getting an increase in female hormones rather than male, or is this just simply a different stage of puberty?

I have read about the puberty stages and he doesn't seem to fit any of them although given that he started growing new hair, I believe that he must have started. To give an idea of how he has grown, he started the school year in age 13 trousers that were a touch too long - he is now wearing age 15 plus fit trousers that again are a slight touch too long. I think that is about 2 inches he has grown taller, but put on about 5 round the waist in 6 months - he went from a slim boy to now having love handles. He is still the same size in shoes but from what I read, his feet and hands should be the first to grow

Is this normal?

It might just be that he hasn't caught up with the other boys yet - he's still very young.

There is a condition called Klinefelter's which is similar to what you describe but I don't think I would be worrying just yet, because all teenagers develop at different rates anyway.

Thanks Bertie, I am sure I am worrying unnecessarily, but you can't help it can you?! What complicates the issue is that I have another son a year younger who is developing absolutely typically according to what I have read and it makes the differences stand out more.

Just googled Klinefelters and actually quite a lot of the other things fit. He was slightly slow to talk, he is tall and is very shy. He was bullied and displayed a lot of Asperger behaviours but in the end they said that if they assessed him it was likely to be borderline. He does struggle a bit socially, but on the other hand he makes friends and has a great sense of humour. The low IQ bit completely doesn't fit - he is very clever (IQ 150 - 160). On balance I think not likely but very interesting.

my son is 13, nearly 6 foot tall but no other sign of puberty at all.

Quite often boys pack on weight before they have a growth spurt.

My son also has friends who look about 9.

12 going on 13 is quite young for a boy to get full on signs of puberty tbh

gymboy - that's what I was thinking about the weight gain. He was always a very slim child, whereas his younger brother was definitely more solid. My younger son has a lot more signs of puberty and has slimmed down and his face has changed and has definitely more development in his privates - he is still slightly shorter but has caught up a lot. I know I shouldn't compare them, but it's difficult when they are so close.

last summer my ds started to look a bit tubby round his middle and his hips, and now he is back to being slim again. i think the body tries to lay down reserves before the growing starts.

does he do much exercise?

Apart from school gym twice a week, he does swimming - 1 lesson a week and one trip at the weekend and he does one Judo lesson for an hour a week too. He also does Scouts but other than that it's a trial to get him to do anything - he doesn't "do" team sports. He could do with being more active tbf but with it being winter and him not being interested, it is actually quite difficult to get him out. Outside is "boring". He will scooter about the state for a bit and will scooter or cycle up to the park but only if bribed with a packet of crisps.

We eat a fairly healthy diet - I've cut back his carbs a bit and upped the protein. He has limited opportunity to have any food that I don't know about. He has a school lunch card so can only buy what the school have - but takes a packed lunch most days. He is probably a bit heavy handed with the cereal in the morning, but has a modest lunch (sandwich/fruit/small biscuit) and a healthy evening meal - chicken/pasta or rice and either veg or fruit. A bit of toast or a muffin for supper.

i wouldn't worry about his diet at all

i was just asking about the exercise because my son plays rugby and does 4 hours training a week and that keeps him trim

I'm sure I've read somewhere that most boys have an increase in female hormones before the male ones kick in. Many boys seem to get small boobs before they shoot up and t.hing out too I think

Crap! I meant thin out.

My son is similar - just 13, getting quite podgy despite a very exhausting training schedule, hairless and baby faced and not really growing that much.

Im going to turn around tomorrow and find a hulking great hairy 6 footer has moved into his room.

I know many boys that go through puberty early, but I know even more that stay all high voices and chubby cheeked until at least 15.

Dont worry and whatever you do, dont comment, as you will make him all self conscious. Just enjoy that babyface for what little time you have left.

Aww thanks everybody - I don't think I'd be bothering as much if it wasn't for No2 son being a bit further on. I had him weeping this evening as he doesn't like the sound the fridge door handles make and he felt his big brother was deliberately running his hand down them when helping me put the shopping away! You'd have thought someone had died he was so upset. Bloody horrmones!!