Puberty Decoded: Unveiling the Mysteries for Girls and Boys
Girls are maturing sexually about a year ahead of boys, according to a pediatrician's claim.
Puberty, the exciting phase bridging childhood and adulthood, has been revealed to strike girls slightly earlier than boys by renowned pediatrician, Pavel Berezhanov, as per 360.ru publication. As this transition begins, the body's systems, including nervous and hormonal, are fully ready for the inevitable hormonal overhaul, preparing the ground for reproduction capabilities.
Doctor Berezhanov points out that female hormones boost the immune system, acting as immunostimulators. In girls, a solid immune system is the norm during puberty, he explains. However, in boys, hormonal changes suppress the immune system, causing more frequent illnesses, fatigue, and less prolonged allergic reactions. Nonetheless, boys experience fewer allergies overall.
Various factors contribute to the start of puberty, among them:
- Family history
- Ethnicity
In ambitious athletes, pushing the physical limits can disrupt hormone balance, potentially stalling puberty. A low body weight or vitamin deficiency can also slow growth. External stress factors like bullying can postpone the onset of puberty by nearly three years, and chronic diseases can interfere as well, weakening the immune system. In some cases, puberty may not complete, a condition connected to genetic diseases, chronic illnesses, or nutritional deficiencies. This can lead to impaired fertility in girls and hormonal imbalances in boys, manifesting as delayed voice changes, among other symptoms.
Closer Look at the Factors Influencing Puberty:
Nutrition and Health
A robust diet, rich in essential nutrients like protein and calories, is vital for normal pubertal development. Insufficient nutrition can delay puberty [1][3].
Chronic Illnesses
Persistent illnesses like diabetes or chronic kidney disease can affect hormone production and delay puberty [3].
Exercise and Environmental Factors
Excessive exercise, common among elite athletes, can lead to hormonal disruptions due to body stress and energy imbalance. Additionally, exposure to certain environmental toxins may affect hormone levels, potentially impacting puberty onset [1].
Psychological Stressors
Emotional stress can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and, thus, affect puberty [1].
Socioeconomic Factors
Access to healthcare and socioeconomic status can indirectly impact puberty timing by determining nutrition quality and overall health [5].
Specific Conditions
Chromosomal or genetic disorders, hormonal disorders, neurological conditions, abuse, and eating disorders can all interfere with normal pubertal development [3].
Medical Interventions
Chemotherapy or radiation treatments can affect puberty timing, either by damaging the reproductive system or altering hormone production [1].
Remember that while family history and ethnicity are essential factors in determining puberty onset, lifestyle, environmental factors, and health conditions can significantly impact this transformative phase as well.
- The hormonal overhaul during puberty is crucial for preparing reproductive capabilities, as unveiled by renowned pediatrician Pavel Berezhanov.
- Immunostimulators, such as female hormones, boost the immune system in girls during puberty, whereas hormonal changes in boys suppress the immune system.
- Balancing nutrition is vital for normal pubertal development, as insufficient nutrition can delay the onset of puberty.
- Chronic illnesses, like diabetes or kidney disease, can affect hormone production and, in turn, delay the start of puberty.
- Psychological stress can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, potentially impacting the timing and progression of puberty.
