It’s one of those things that can sneak up on a parent when they least expect it; your child is going through puberty. Your son is growing up, and your first sign it’s happening? A strong whiff of unpleasant body odor as he runs past. Wasn’t it just yesterday that you were cuddling up and nuzzling in to take in that sweet baby smell? Not so much anymore, as your baby boy starts to look, sound, … and smell, like a man.
So, when do boys hit puberty, and how can you help your not-so-little-anymore son navigate this tumultuous time in his life — while also trying to make it through unscathed yourself?
What is puberty and when does it occur for boys?
What is delayed puberty?
Puberty that does not occur during the expected time frame, typically before the age of 14 for boys, is known as delayed or late puberty. While there is no known cause, it’s possible that delayed puberty is hereditary. A number of factors can contribute to late puberty, such as thyroid or pituitary gland issues, extensive exercise, hormone fluctuations, chronic illness, genetic disorders, or chromosomal problems.
Boys who experience a lack of testicular growth or pubic hair development could be experiencing delayed puberty, but an accurate diagnosis can be obtained through diagnostic testing such as MRI, CT scans, or blood tests. Dr. Diane Stafford works in the endocrinology division at Boston Children’s Hospital and helps parents and children navigate puberty issues and concerns.
“I do a lot of counseling with families,” Stafford told US News & World Report. “My job, first of all, is to determine whether there’s pathology. And whether there’s a problem that we need to deal with that is causing early or delayed puberty.”
Treatment for delayed puberty depends on what is causing it. If hereditary, those cases are generally left to progress on their own. A child will eventually begin to develop. However, in the event of delayed puberty, hormone therapy may be a viable treatment option.
It is also important to recognize the difference between delayed puberty and the suppression of puberty. Generally prescribed to children experiencing gender dysphoria, puberty blockers can temporarily stop physical development. They can also be used to treat premature puberty in very young children.
