Pediatric Hormone Therapy for Delayed or Late Puberty
in Orlando, FL

Direct Access to Your Doctor (689) 285-2112

We Treat Growing Pains

Going through puberty is challenging enough, but when a tween or teen’s development is running behind their friends, their self-doubt can skyrocket. It can be hard to fit in at junior high when your body is still stuck in elementary school.

Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Penny Pauley of The Endocrine Co in Florida is committed to helping kids catch up to their classmates with customized care plans to address late puberty, otherwise known as delayed puberty, in both boys and girls. She understands her patients’ frustration and works just as hard to boost their confidence as she does to treat their condition.

Late puberty affects 2% of teens and tweens

How Do I Know if My Child is Experiencing Delayed Puberty?

Late puberty can be the result of genetics, hormonal disorders, chronic medical issues, thyroid disorders, or radiation therapy or chemotherapy, among various other causes. Common signs of delayed puberty in adolescents can include:

For girls

No breast growth by age 13
No menstrual period by age 15
A lapse of 3-5 years between the beginning of breast growth and first menstrual period

For boys

No testicular enlargement by age 13-14
More than 4 years from the start to completion of adult genital growth

Consequences of Late Puberty

Late puberty in itself usually doesn’t come with serious medical complications other than its impact on a child’s emotional stress. And in most cases, adolescents who’ve gone through delayed puberty ultimately grow into healthy adults. However, because delayed puberty can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, it’s important to consult a children’s endocrinologist to receive an accurate diagnosis.

How is Delayed Puberty in Teens Diagnosed and Treated?

To diagnose the cause of your child’s condition, Dr. Penny starts by understanding both the patient’s and family’s medical history and performing a physical exam. In addition, she may rely on blood tests, a bone age X-ray, and imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan.

Treatment for late puberty depends on its cause. For instance, if an adolescent is diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and treated for the condition, puberty may proceed as normal with no need for additional remedies. Other kids may need hormone therapy (testosterone for guys, estrogen for girls) to jump-start puberty.

As a direct patient pediatric endocrinologist and growth specialist, Dr. Penny takes the time to get to know your child on a personal level to customize a care plan to their specific needs and provide ongoing support to ease the emotional toll of delayed puberty.

Schedule Your Visit With a Children’s Endocrinologist in Florida

When it comes to your son or daughter’s care, you want to make sure their endocrinologist is the right fit so your child can feel comfortable sharing their feelings about a sometimes uncomfortable topic. Contact The Endocrine Co today to schedule your 15-minute meet-and-greet with Dr. Penny.

Pediatric Hormone Therapy for Delayed or Late Puberty in Orlando, FL