delayed puberty
Slow physical maturation
Delayed puberty is the absence of physical sexual development by an age when most peers have begun maturing—typically around 14 for boys and 13 for girls.
The condition may result from hormonal disorders, chronic illness, genetics, or extreme athletic training, though many cases resolve without treatment: The doctor said his delayed puberty was constitutional and he'd catch up eventually.
Process of becoming complete
- growth spurtPeriod of accelerated physical development
- menarcheOnset of menstruation
- voice changePubescent vocal transformation
- facial hairBeard, mustache, stubble
adrenarche · height · weight gain · body composition · hormonal changes · pubic hair · underarm hair · muscle development
Physician specializing in glands
- pediatricianPhysician for children
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- treatment optionsCourses of care offered
growth hormone · bone age · hypogonadism · pituitary · hypothalamus · thyroid · estrogen · testosterone
Uncomfortable awareness of oneself
- peer comparisonEvaluation against similar others
- body imageFeelings about one's appearance
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
support groups · psychological impact · reassurance · bullying · social isolation · emotional support · self-esteem · identity
Relating to genetic structures
- karyotypeOrganized chromosome display
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- geneHereditary information unit
syndrome · congenital · genetic testing · hereditary · carrier
maturation
Process of becoming complete
- growth spurtPeriod of accelerated physical development
- menarcheOnset of menstruation
- voice changePubescent vocal transformation
facial hair · adrenarche · height · weight gain · body composition · hormonal changes · pubic hair · underarm hair · muscle development
endocrinologist
Physician specializing in glands
- pediatricianPhysician for children
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- screeningEvaluative selection process
treatment options · growth hormone · bone age · hypogonadism · pituitary · hypothalamus · thyroid · estrogen · testosterone · hormone therapy
self-consciousness
Uncomfortable awareness of oneself
- peer comparisonEvaluation against similar others
- body imageFeelings about one's appearance
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
counseling · support groups · psychological impact · reassurance · bullying · social isolation · emotional support · self-esteem · identity · mental health
chromosomal
Relating to genetic structures
- karyotypeOrganized chromosome display
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
gene · syndrome · congenital · genetic testing · hereditary · carrier
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