Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Puberty blockers for early puberty

18 replies

avoschmado · 05/01/2019 06:20

Dd is 8.7 with breast buds and requires deodorant. She is only 27kgs by is 91st centile for height. We've seen a paediatric endocrinologist who has arranged for an ulna X-ray to detect bone age and An ultrasound to look at uterine activity, along with a truck load of blood tests. Based on the results he'll offer blockers for 1-2years. St the moment I'm not sure; I see both sides. Does anyone have experience?

OP posts:
QueenofmyPrinces · 05/01/2019 07:11

It was my belief that puberty beginning at 8 years old is still within the realms of normal even though it is early. I have known of many girls who have starte their periods at 8/9/10 years old.

Is it your daughter who is bothered by the onset of puberty or you?

I just think you need to identify why you want to stop this natural process by putting hormone blockers into her before making the decision whether to do it or not...

EdithWeston · 05/01/2019 07:48

I am mildly suprised that puberty blockers are being suggested for an over 8.

However your endocrinologist is making decision s based on her full medical history and a barrage of tests.

Do you yet know until what age they might be used?

Hellbentwellwent · 05/01/2019 07:58

I’d run a mile. If it’s lupron he’s suggesting I researched it when it was suggested to me to treat endometriosis. There’s class action suits against the manufacturers in the states by groups of women who have permanent bone damage and chronic pain because of it. Research the drug carefully and then decide if the benefits are worth it. If she’s nearly nine I don’t think she’s hugely early if her periods were to start and as for being in the 91st percentile, there’s nothing wrong with being tall as long as the growth isn’t causing her pain.

Monty27 · 05/01/2019 08:16

Let the girl grow naturally.
I cannot understand why you would give her drugs to stop her natural development. And as for the GP I would be asking to see his qualifications Shock

Grannyannex · 05/01/2019 08:21

Having chatted to other mums it seems buds are the norm with 9/10 year olds and also a few 8 year olds.

potatoscone · 05/01/2019 08:24

Not sure about this, why so much intervention? She is in the correct age group for puberty. Yes it's early, but it's early within the normal range.

babysharkah · 05/01/2019 08:25

8.7 is within the realms of normal? Early but normal.

Zoflorabore · 05/01/2019 08:28

I have a dd who is 8 next month and has breast buds and needs anti p.
I've read that 8 is on the lower side of normal and certainly wouldn't consider any medication for it.

I was the same. Started my period at 10, full pubic hair at the same age.

My friend has a dd who had more pubic hair than her at 8.5 and started her period at the end of year 4. Doctor was not concerned.

In my dd's class the majority of girls are tiny. Dd is not. She is chunky and tall so maybe more obvious. Another of her friends is the same and is the youngest in the class, not 8 until August.

I think it's more common tham you realise
Op, try not to worry Flowers im not.

Pinkyyy · 05/01/2019 08:29

Why would you want to pump your child full of drugs she doesn't need?

BiscuitDrama · 05/01/2019 08:32

I think sweatiness is part of the very first stage of puberty. My eight yr old needs it. I e googled and felt it was ‘normal’.
Ten ye old daughter had breast buds at 8.5, I was surprised as she’s not tall or overweight, but it’s only two years on that they are developing further. I had also googled at the time and felt it was ‘normal’.
It seems in line with her friends. I’m surprised it’s being suggested that your daughter is too early.

Scoochywoochy · 05/01/2019 08:35

If it is anything that acts on the pituitary gland such as Lupron, leuprorelin etc. please read everything you can about the long term side effects. I read recently that some studies have shown an IQ drop in girls who have been treated this way. I can tell you all about the side effects of Prostap as I've been on it for nearly two years. It disrupts everything - appetite, sleep, bone strength, eyesight, increases frequency to urinate (I very rarely make it through the night), caused me significant weight gain, serious chronic fatigue, more aggressive personality... I could go on. In some cases these side effects have been irreversible. It doesn't just affect production of oestrogen but all the other hormones the pituitary gland produces too. Please think very carefully about this as she could be seriously affected for life.

BiscuitDrama · 05/01/2019 08:38

Are you in the UK or have private healthcare? Just wondering if you’re somewhere where more tests and checks are normal because they’re paid for by private insurance.

Original poster
avoschmado · 05/01/2019 10:12

No this is all NHS. The GP referred us to a paediatric endocrinologist who is the very top dog in all of this so whilst sceptical I was very interested in what he had to say. The fact she's having all of these (totally non-invasive) tests is actually a full health MOT which I'm entirely grateful to the NHS for - not at my request but at the doctors suggestion. We'll see him again in April to discuss the results. I don't want my dd to have any medication which isn't necessary but it's her bone age that is of most interest. The doctor said girls typically stop growing in height at 14/15 so if her bone age is already that or close to, she'll stop growing at her age now and therefore be a short adult. I don't know what the name of the potential drug is but it's interesting to hear thoughts.

OP posts:
potatoscone · 05/01/2019 10:14

If she is just starting puberty she won't be at age 14/15 developmentally though?

Original poster
avoschmado · 05/01/2019 10:17

All of these tests (X-ray, ultrasound and blood tests) are in feb and we get the results with the consultant in April. He said ultimately it's up to the parents to decide to pursue treatment or not hence me asking on this thread. As I said up thread I'm entirely grateful to this full health screen he's giving her - aside from the puberty angle, she's having an overall screen which is amazing. Ideally I want her to grow naturally but if there's an ultimate medical reason why this is happening early then I'll be glad to know about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
avoschmado · 05/01/2019 10:31

Should add that I was referred by the GP!

OP posts:
Willowbrook1 · 30/11/2020 12:01

Hello,

I came across your thread today. I would be really really grateful if you could please let me know how you got on with your tests in April.

My DD has had all the tests done hand X-ray, blood test, MRI scan, ultrasound etc. Everything is normal except for bone age which is about 3 years older than her age. She’s 8 and has Breast development and a signs of pubic hair (scantily)

I’m now to decide whether she should start the process to suppress puberty.

How did you get on? And what did you decide in the end.

Kindest Regards

Chevron123 · 30/11/2020 17:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.