Most commonly, especially in girls, precocious puberty is due to the brain sending signals earlier than it should. There is no other underlying medical problem or trigger. This also can often run in families. Less often, precocious puberty stems from a more serious problem, such as a tumor or trauma.
Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared.
Early periods often result from hormonal changes, especially during puberty and perimenopause. Many underlying medical conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, can also cause menstrual irregularities.
Higher total protein, animal protein and meat intake in children ages 3 to 7 have been associated with earlier onset of menstruation. High protein intake elevates IGF-1 levels and promotes growth, which could accelerate the onset of puberty.
On average, girls grow about 3 inches (8 cm) per year during the growth spurt. Girls usually stop growing taller about 2 years after starting their menstrual period.
Females usually experience their fastest growth spurt around age 11 or 12. After menstruation starts, it is typical to grow another 7 cm (2.75 inches) in height. It is also typical for females to gain weight during puberty. Usually, females reach adult height around age 14 or 15.
Although on an ecologic (population) level women seem to have their menarche earlier and to grow taller, several studies show that women with earlier menarche reach a shorter adult height compared with women who have menarche at a later age (1, 12, 15–19).
Myth: menarche means the end of growth is near
The reality is that the average gain in height after menarche is about 7 cm (3 inches), and it is even greater for girls who menstruate on the early side of normal.
Girls who drink more sugary beverages start their periods earlier than girls who consume fewer. That's the finding of a new study, and it suggests that this consumption is somehow linked to the onset of puberty. The association remained even once the girls' weight and height had been controlled for.
Sometimes, treatment of a related health problem can stop the precocious puberty. But in most cases, there's no other disease, so treatment usually involves hormone therapy to stop sexual development. The currently approved hormone treatment is with drugs called LHRH analogs.
Limiting your child's exposure to reproductive hormones from outside sources may prevent precocious puberty. These sources may include estrogen or testosterone creams, lotions, or other medications.
The “unhealthy diet” pattern was significantly positively associated with precocious puberty in both boys (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.02–1.51) and girls (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.10–1.56).
The type of protein that children eat, especially during the crucial period of kindergarten 5-6 years old, seems to determine when they begin puberty. Children who ate a lot of animal protein at that age (meat, eggs, and dairy) started puberty a year earlier than those who ate a lot of plant-based protein.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence that drinking milk causes early puberty. In the United States, girls are entering puberty at younger ages than they were in the first half of the 20th century. Researchers do not know the exact trigger for early-onset puberty, although it is likely influenced by many factors.
Protein-rich foods include lean meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu and nuts. These foods are important for your child's growth and muscle development, especially during puberty.