Last updated on October 23, 2020
Question:
I was born premature at 25 weeks, where for others it would have been 36 weeks. I started puberty when I was 7. I’ve had thick, coarse pubic hair since I was 8 and I’ve had breast since I was 7. I have thick long hairs on my thighs, legs, arms, chin, upper lip, pubic, buttocks, in buttocks, between breast, toes, fingers and armpits. I’ve had armpit hair and leg hair since I was about 8 and a half. I am now 12 years old and I’ve had my period for two years and 9 months. I have a pear shape. I haven’t had a period in the past 10 months. When I last had it, it stayed heavily for 20 days. I haven’t grown at all in the past year and a half.
Answer:
The symptoms you describe are called “precocious puberty.” This is when a child develops earlier than normal. To have outward sexual characteristics before seven for a girl or nine for a boy is usual and may indicate some severe medical problems. I would strongly suggest seeing a doctor. Your early birth has nothing to do with these symptoms.
A lack of a menstrual period for more than three months is also a cause for concern and also indicates you should see a doctor.
Question:
I did what you said and my endocrinologist is giving me some anti-androgen drugs to block my hormones. For my periods, she said she’s going to wait another year or two because I’m too young to take birth control pills.
I went to the endocrinologist yesterday. She said that because I was born prematurely at 25 weeks and I got my period at 9, I’m done growing. I got a growth plate test and apparently, my growth plates are closed. But they did the test on my hand to see if they’re closed. Aren’t they usually in your knees or something?
Answer:
You have growth plates at the ends of each bone throughout your body. The hand is the typical place to determine the status of your growth plates because there is a long series of changes in the bones of the hand that are quite distinctive, so it makes it easier for a doctor to determine where your body is at in development.
Once the growth plates close down, there is no known way to restart them. Since you started developing early, they closed down early as well. Every child grows about two inches per year from about age five to puberty. During puberty is a period of rapid growth that gives a person her final height. If you start early, you are starting at a smaller size than someone who starts late. Therefore, your final height ends up being shorter.
Question:
Aw, okay. Thank you for your help. Do you think God can help me?
Answer:
Why does your happiness in life depend on first having something different?
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (II Corinthians 12:7-10).
God is helping you, just not in the way you are expecting. He is helping you develop a character that will be permanent. Your body only lasts a lifetime, your character is eternal — which is more important?
Response:
Thank you!