Precocious puberty?

[FelixTitling]

Ds is 8.11. He's had body odour for about 2 years which hasn't bothered us as he's happy to wear deodorant and I gather it's not uncommon. However, over the summer we've noticed his legs have got very hairy and now he has fine blonde 'pubes' on his testicles.

He's now noticed this himself and has asked me if this is normal. I told him it was, but in truth I'm just not sure.

He's tall for his age, wearing age 10/11 clothes for height, shoulder width and limb length, but skinny.

I know puberty can kick in early, but is this too early? And does it seem in the right order?

I don't want to take him to the gp unless I really need to as he would be mortified.

Is this normal?

I don't know - it does seem very young, and if you're worried you should talk to your GP. My DS3 was a tall 10 year old when he started getting hairy legs/pubic hair etc and I fretted then that he was too young for it - and it certainly wasn't easy for him to come to terms with. We had lots of chats about how you can't fight nature, it has to happen sooner or later etc etc but still - it wasn't easy.

And did you/his father go through puberty young? Because that does have a bearing, I think.

Thanks hassled.

I was average, 12 when I started my periods. Dh can't remember, so assumes he was average too. I have an older dd and she seems to developing within normal range.

When I google, everything I find seems to state development of the penis and testicles starting first, but there are definitely no signs of that happening yet.

Hi Felix,I can only tell you my experience.
My dd was your son's age when her periods started.
We were told this was premature puberty. At first it did alarm me . We were referred to a paediatrician and were talked through the options.
We could give her medication to delay the onset of puberty or let things take their course.
We chose to let her go through puberty.
She was a very affable child (she's 22 now) and seemed to take everything in her stride.
When we were considering her position we took into account her weight and height she was always taller than her peers and carried more weight than her peers so if we compared her to another 8/9 year old there was a big difference and therefore it was probably natural enough for her to go through puberty at the age she did. I myself had my period at the age of 9.

She is now a perfectly well adjusted adult with no lasting "trauma" from her early puberty.

Hope this helps :)

Thanks maverick. That's good to know.

Hi, my DS is 8.6 & we are waiting to see a consultant about this - he has started to develop fine pubic hair & his voice is deepening. I understand - mainly from Dr Google - that early puberty in boys (under 9) should be investigated...your DS isn't far off 9 so maybe speak to your GP (without DS) & see what's advised.

Thanks lego, it does seem harder to get info about boys. I think will do that.

Good luck with your apt.

Thanks Felix, hope that you can get peace of mind too.

I was about 7 when I started puberty, 9 when periods started.

I am short and my parent's weren't and I know stunted growth is a side effect of early puberty (I was tall until 12 when I just didn't get any taller).

I would take him to the Dr.