Pubarche

Pubarche refers to the first appearance of pubic hair at puberty. Pubarche[1] is one of the physical changes of puberty and can occur independently of complete puberty. Pubarche usually results from rising levels of androgen and not estrogens in females, and androgens in males from the adrenal glands, ovaries, or testes but may also result from exposure to an anabolic steroid.[2]

When pubarche occurs prematurely (in early or mid-childhood), it is referred to as premature pubarche or precocious puberty and may warrant an evaluation. Premature adrenarche is the most common cause of premature pubarche. Early occurrences can arise due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-producing tumors of the adrenals or gonads. When adrenarche, central puberty, and all pathologic conditions have been excluded, the term isolated premature pubarche is used to describe the unexplained development of pubic hair at an early age without other hormonal or physical changes of puberty.

Average age

Five Tanner stages of male genitalia and pubic hair. The Adolescent Period
Stages of female genitalia and pubic hair during puberty.

The average beginning of pubarche varies due to many factors, including climate, nourishment, weight, nurture, and genes. First (and often transient) pubic hair resulting from adrenarche may appear between ages 10-12 preceding puberty.

During puberty pubarche tends to occur earlier in females than males, as with most puberty stages and puberty as a whole. The average age for females varies between 12 and 14, and for males, about 13–15.

See also

References

  1. ↑ The word results from the combination of a Latin and a Greek word: pub-es, "adult, full-grown, manly", and ἀρχή [arkʰɛ̌ː], "beginning, onset".
  2. ↑ Callahan, Tamara L.; Caughey, Aaron B.; Heffner, Linda (2003). Blueprints Obstetrics & Gynecology. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 1-4051-0331-0.
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