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Luiz Claudio Castro, Alan D. Rogol, Dorothy I. Shulman, Delayed Puberty: What Parents Need to Know, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 98, Issue 2, 1 February 2013, Pages 31A–32A, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.98.2.zeg31a
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WHAT IS PUBERTY?
Puberty is the time of life when a child's body matures into an adult's.
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WHAT IS DELAYED PUBERTY?
Delayed puberty is when a teen goes through these body changes later than the usual age range.
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WHAT CAUSES DELAYED PUBERTY?
Some teens are “late bloomers” who just happen to start puberty later than most children their age. Being a late bloomer is the most common cause of delayed puberty. It's not caused by a medical problem and usually doesn't need treatment. Late bloomers will eventually start puberty on their own and catch up to their friends.
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Sometimes, girls don't start having periods because their uterus and vagina don't develop properly. Or they may have too much of a hormone called prolactin, or a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
DOES MY CHILD NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR IF HE/SHE HAS DELAYED PUBERTY?
Most likely, your child's delayed puberty won't need treatment. But if you or your teen are concerned about it, it's wise to see a doctor, especially if your child started to develop but then suddenly stopped. Your family doctor or pediatrician can tell you if your child should be checked for medical problems. Often, the only thing teens need is reassurance that they'll catch up to their peers.
