Question
A 9-year-old girl’s breasts have started to develop, and she experiences pain when touched. Does this mean she has entered precocious puberty? When should normal adolescent development begin?
Answer
According to the description, the breast development of the 9-year-old girl does not indicate precocious puberty. Generally, if a girl shows signs of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of eight, she would be diagnosed with precocious puberty. Normal adolescence typically begins between the ages of ten and twelve. It is recommended that parents pay attention to their child’s balanced diet and arrange their schedules reasonably. During the period from nine to thirteen years old, girls may experience mild pain when their breasts begin to develop, which is a normal phenomenon. As the breasts mature, this swelling and pain will naturally disappear. At this point, lumps that are slightly painful to touch may be felt beneath the nipple and areola, with a texture that is hard but not well-defined, resembling in size to a pea or peanut. As they grow older, these lumps will gradually become larger and softer, showing a spreading growth pattern.