This increase in hormones can happen because the brain increases the production of substances that stimulate the ovaries or testicles to produce them, or due to other causes that generate increased production, such as tumors or changes in the functioning of glands.
“Other factors are genetic influences, exposure to environmental chemicals, childhood obesity and underlying medical conditions such as ovarian tumors or hormonal disorders,” explains Thiago Artioli, pediatric endocrinologist at BP – A Beneficência Portuguesa in São Paulo.
Precocious puberty, when not monitored and treated, can have an impact on bone maturity, lead to short stature, increase the risk of breast and endometrial cancer, obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Adding to this, the child may also have psychological and social problems.
“Having a more developed body when compared to other children of the same age can make them feel different, cause embarrassment, causing them to isolate themselves”, explains gynecologist Erika Krogh, member of the Infanto-Puberal Gynecology Committee of Febrasgo (Federation Brazilian Association of Gynecology and Obstetrics).
Does early puberty lead to early menopause?
The experts consulted by Live well state that precocious puberty does not cause early menopause, when medical monitoring is carried out throughout life and there is adequate hormone replacement and control. However, when this monitoring is not done, it can occur.
