DD's blood test results and 2nd hand xray results are back. I spoke to the doctor over the phone today. During the 1st appt in February, she indicated that treating precocious puberty is less recommended after the child has turned 8 (DD just turned 8). At our appointment earlier this month, the same doctor seemed to reverse course, recommending treatment for DD despite her age due to her fast growth. I left feeling like there was a sense of urgency to start treatment. Today over the phone, however, the doctor seemed to flip-flop again, saying that results as far as adult height are not as strong when the patient starts treatment after turning 8 compared to if treatment was started earlier.
Basically, we need to decide how much risk we want to take that DD will grow to be of average adult height without treatment. Protecting her adult height seems to be the main focus of the doctor because if she goes through puberty too fast, her growth plates will close earlier and her overall adult height will be shorter.
I...don't know if height alone is enough for me to seek treatment for her? I'm much more motivated to maybe do a year of treatment simply to postpone her first menses...she's only going into 3rd grade and I just feel like if we have enough reason to justify treatment, and delaying her period is an added benefit, it's worth it. Husband isn't totally sold on that logic though (and even went so far as to suggest I was "period shaming" with negative talk about potentially starting a period as early as 3rd grade, which I was caught off-guard about).
Would love to hear how others made the decision to treat or not.
The period issue was exactly why we decided to treat. DDs endocrinologist thought the treatment may be the difference in 1-2” in her height (because she was over 8 when we started) but said if it was his daughter he would treat just for social reasons. That was already was I was leaning towards. She likely would have started her period in 4th grade and she is no where near mature enough to handle all that comes with that.
I will also add that stating treatment does not mean you have to complete treatment. We see her endo every six months and are all involved in deciding whether or not to continue treatment each time. DD is totally on board with continuing treatment which makes the decision much easier.
How tall is she expected to be without treatment? What about with it?
For what it’s worth, I am 5’ tall and have never been bothered by it. I was never teased, it doesn’t impact my daily life (aside from occasionally climbing on counters or grocery store shelves), and I had multiple boyfriends over the years and now a husband who is on the shorter side of average.
I also started my period in 6th grade and remember feeling so out of my element. If I could delay my daughter’s first period beyond elementary school, I 100% would. 3rd grade is really early to be navigating that. It’s not period shaming to recognize that a 8-9 year is not emotionally or physically prepared to deal monthly bleeding, pads, appropriate disposal, needing to go to the bathroom to manage all of that and avoid leaks/stains.
And not trying to insult your husband, but I'm assuming he has never had a period. I don't think you are "period shaming" at all - I'll wager the majority of people who have had periods would consider it a benefit to put it off a year or more. It's possible that she could have super manageable, short, regular periods from the beginning, but it's also possible that she could have discomfort/pain, getting her period unexpectedly at school, etc. That combined with the possible growth restriction would definitely push me towards treatment.
Yes. Your husband obviously gets a say in his daughter’s health but he has never had a period and rather than shame you about something he has zero [personal] experience in he needs to listen and understand.... Unless he is a gynecologist.
Her height prediction without treatment is 5’6”….already very comfortably tall. It seems she would definitely make it to at least 5’ if we don’t treat and she gets to be shorter.
Yes. Your husband obviously gets a say in his daughter’s health but he has never had a period and rather than shame you about something he has zero [personal] experience in he needs to listen and understand.... Unless he is a gynecologist.
Even if he's a gynecologist.
I was speaking more on the medical part and, medically speaking, if it would be an issue for her D to postponed her period. But, yeah, you’re right. 🙂
Post by sparkythelawyer on Aug 3, 2021 9:14:20 GMT -5
I would want to know more about:
1) Delaying her period. 9 is so young for that (and your husband can eff himself there). It is young in terms of the maturity needed to manage it, bullying and shaming from classmates, etc.
2) I'd want to know more about any potential issues with her fertility down the road. I feel like I read somewhere that early puberty has a correlation to fertility issues down the road (but I could be straight up wrong here). I'd want to know what the risk are to both doing nothing and doing something will be for her down the road.
All that said, I don't think you'll regret doing the lupron, even if it is for just like, 3-6 months.
Post by Saint Monica on Aug 3, 2021 10:22:06 GMT -5
I encounter this frequently at work. I always tell my clients to take their kids to a pediatric endocrinologist. Second or third opinions never hurt. Get all the info you can from real doctors not googling.
I have had several clients who sadly thought (a) they caused it by using lastisse (b)their H's using rogaine (c) abuse
Her height prediction without treatment is 5’6”….already very comfortably tall. It seems she would definitely make it to at least 5’ if we don’t treat and she gets to be shorter.
I was speaking more on the medical part and, medically speaking, if it would be an issue for her D to postponed her period. But, yeah, you’re right. 🙂
as someone of tall stature (6’0”) w a child who likely surpass her (dd is 5’8” at 12 w more growing to do) what do you mean by ‘comfortably tall’ ?!? 5’6” is still a very average height.
Her height prediction without treatment is 5’6”….already very comfortably tall. It seems she would definitely make it to at least 5’ if we don’t treat and she gets to be shorter.
I was speaking more on the medical part and, medically speaking, if it would be an issue for her D to postponed her period. But, yeah, you’re right. 🙂
as someone of tall stature (6’0”) w a child who likely surpass her (dd is 5’8” at 12 w more growing to do) what do you mean by ‘comfortably tall’ ?!? 5’6” is still a very average height.
I think that’s what she saying. She is projected to be at least 5’6 so if she is a few inches shorter it wouldn’t be a big deal, she’d still be fairly average height. If she was projected to top out at like 5 foot then a few inches shorter would put her way below average.
I got my period at 10 (first day of 5th grade!) And it kind of sucked. I can't imagine even earlier. I also fully had breasts in 4th grade and that was uncomfortable since I was the only one developed that much and felt so self conscious wearing a bra. Boys commented on it a lot.
With medical decisions I like to ask what is the absolute best and worst outcome of doing treatment? Best and worst of not doing the treatment? Likelihood of those outcomes? That helps me weigh my decision and find out all outcomes.
Post by starburst604 on Aug 3, 2021 19:13:07 GMT -5
No experience with any of this but wanted to add an anecdote about a coworker’s daughter who got her period early in her 9th year. It was pretty much hell for my CW for that first year or two. Every time it arrived her DD would have a days long meltdown, probably a combo of being young for that responsibility but also from the hormonal and discomfort angle. She has a tough time remembering to keep pads with her, to change them when she’s supposed to etc. There are parents here still wiping their 8 year old’s bum, so that puts in perspective how young it really is to put that responsibility on such a young girl. Hugs to you and good luck with whatever you decide. My DD was briefly on watch for that based on her height percentile taking a huge leap when she was 5, but they are no longer concerned and she has no other signs.