PUBERTY & ITS ABNORMALITIES
“Puberty is the process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction. It is initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads: the ovaries in a girl, the testes in a boy. In response to the signals, the gonads produce hormones that stimulate libido and the growth, function, and transformation of the brain, bones, muscle, blood, skin, hair, breasts, and sex organs. Physical growth—height and weight—accelerates in the first half of puberty and is completed when an adult body has been developed. Until the maturation of their reproductive capabilities, the pre-pubertal physical differences between boys and girls are the external sex organs.
On average, girls begin puberty around ages 10–11; boys around ages 11–12. Girls usually complete puberty around ages 15–17, while boys usually complete puberty around ages 16–17. The major landmark of puberty for females is menarche, the onset of menstruation, which occurs on average between ages 12–13, for males, it is the first ejaculation, which occurs on average at age 13. In the 21st century, the average age at which children, especially girls, reach puberty is lower compared to the 19th century, when it was 15 for girls and 16 for boys. This can be due to any number of factors, including improved nutrition resulting in rapid body growth, increased weight and fat deposition, or exposure to endocrine disruptors such as xenoestrogens, which can at times be due to food consumption or other environmental factors. Puberty which starts earlier than usual is known as precocious puberty. Puberty which starts later than usual is known as delayed puberty.”
DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS:
- BREASTS:
The ducts of the mammary glands proliferate under the influence of estrogens (Thelearche) and fat deposition between the ducts increases. The breasts increase in size and become more prominent.
The development begins between 8 years of age and 13 years of age and continues through puberty.
Breast development starts with the flat area around the nipple (areola) becoming enlarged and some breast tissue-forming under the nipple.
Estradiol hormone in females cause the darker coloration of the areola
Breast development starts with the flat area around the nipple (areola) becoming enlarged and some breast tissue-forming under the nipple.
Estradiol hormone in females cause the darker coloration of the areola
- PUBIC AND AXILLARY HAIR:
The growth of hair on the pelvis and in the axillae starts at puberty. This development is stimulated more by adrenocortical steroids rather than estrogens.
Pubic hair starts along the vaginal lips, the outer opening of the private parts.
Pubic hair starts along the vaginal lips, the outer opening of the private parts.
Underarm hair grows about 1-2 years later the growth of pubic hair.
- BODY GROWTH:
There is rapid increase in the growth of the body. Under the influence of estrogen, epiphyses closure takes place. The body’s growth stops by the age of 18 years.
- PELVIS:
In girls, estradiol (the primary female sex hormone) causes thickening of lips and oral mucosa as well as further development of the vulva. In the vulva and vagina, estradiol causes thickening (stratification) of the skin and the growth of both the myo-epithelial layer and the smooth muscle of the vagina. Typically, estradiol will also cause pronounced growth of the labia minora and to a lesser degree of the labia majora.
The body of the uterus increases in size and changes from infantile type to adult type.
The first menstrual bleeding is referred to as menarche, and typically occurs about two years after the larche (development of breasts).
- MENARCHE:
The first menstrual bleeding is referred to as menarche, and typically occurs about two years after the larche (development of breasts).
It occurs at the age of 12 – 14 years. But the time of onset may vary according race, environment, family, social class, diet and general health.
It occurs when the endometrium is shed cyclically on the withdrawal of sex hormones periodically.
Initial menstrual cycles are irregular and anovulatory (absence of ovum), but they soon become regular and ovulatory.
DELAYED PUBERTY IN GIRLS:
It occurs when the endometrium is shed cyclically on the withdrawal of sex hormones periodically.
Initial menstrual cycles are irregular and anovulatory (absence of ovum), but they soon become regular and ovulatory.
DELAYED PUBERTY IN GIRLS:
This means the delay in development of secondary sexual characters by the age of 13 or the appearance of menses by the age of 17.
Some of the causes are:
In such cases, the menstruation is irregular and infrequent. The women have prolonged periods of amenorrhea or scanty menstrual bleeding.
The Homeopathic Drugs for such a condition:
There are certain remedies which are useful in such condition to help to bring about the normal menstrual cycle.
Some of the causes are:
- Constitutional delay (with a family history of delayed menses)
- In females, prolonged high level of physical exertion, e.g. from being an athlete.
- Under-nutrition e.g. anorexia nervosa, zinc deficiency.
- Hypothalamic defects and diseases e.g. Kallmann syndrome.
- Pituitary defects and diseases e.g. hypopituitarism.
- Gonadal defects and diseases e.g. Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome.
- Other hormone deficiencies and imbalances, Endocrine disorders. e.g. hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, excessive prolactin.
- PCOD (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease).
In such cases, the menstruation is irregular and infrequent. The women have prolonged periods of amenorrhea or scanty menstrual bleeding.
The Homeopathic Drugs for such a condition:
There are certain remedies which are useful in such condition to help to bring about the normal menstrual cycle.
- Calcarea Carb
- Calcarea Phos
- Ferrum Met
- Graphites
- Kali Carb
- Pulsatilla
- Senecio Aureus
- Sepia
PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY:
If puberty takes place before the age of 10 years, it is called precocious puberty. It may happen as early as 2nd or 3rd year of life.
In a girl with precocious puberty the physical growth is stunted due to early closure of the epiphyses.
In a girl with precocious puberty the physical growth is stunted due to early closure of the epiphyses.
CAUSES:
Central precocious puberty can be caused by intracranial neoplasm, infection (most commonly central nervous system tuberculosis especially in developing countries), trauma, hydrocephalus, etc.
- Central:
Central precocious puberty can be caused by intracranial neoplasm, infection (most commonly central nervous system tuberculosis especially in developing countries), trauma, hydrocephalus, etc.
- Peripheral:
- Heterosexual:
- Idiopathic:
Homeopathic Drugs for such a condition:
The remedies which can be used for such conditions are:
The remedies which can be used for such conditions are:
- Calcarea Carb
- Calcarea Phos
- Carbo Veg
- Cinchona Officinalis
- Cocculus
- Sabadilla
- Silicea
- Veratrum Alb
Bibliography:
http://teens.webmd.com/girls/facts-about-puberty-girls
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_puberty
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Delayed-Puberty-in-Girls-Information-for-Parents.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/children/guide/causes-symptoms
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/924002-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/precocious-puberty/basics/definition/con-20029745
http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/bha-charity/how-we-can-help/articles/homeopathy-for-teenagers/
http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/bha-charity/how-we-can-help/articles/homeopathy-for-teenagers/
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/central-precocious-puberty/
http://teens.webmd.com/girls/facts-about-puberty-girls
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_puberty
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Delayed-Puberty-in-Girls-Information-for-Parents.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/children/guide/causes-symptoms
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/924002-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/precocious-puberty/basics/definition/con-20029745
http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/bha-charity/how-we-can-help/articles/homeopathy-for-teenagers/
http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/bha-charity/how-we-can-help/articles/homeopathy-for-teenagers/
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/central-precocious-puberty/