Question
The breasts of a nine-year-old girl have started to develop. Does this mean she has entered the stage of precocious puberty? Recently, she has experienced pain upon touching her breasts, is this a typical symptom of precocious puberty? When should a girl normally start entering adolescence?
Answer
Hello, based on your description, generally speaking, if a girl shows signs of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of eight, it is considered precocious puberty. Typically, girls enter puberty between the ages of ten and twelve. It is recommended to maintain a balanced diet and arrange your schedule reasonably. During the initial stages of breast development, from nine to thirteen years old, a girl may experience slight pain. After the first menstrual period, as the breasts mature, this swelling and pain will naturally disappear. At this time, there may be hard, indistinct lumps under the nipples and areolas, which may cause pain when touched. These lumps are about the size of a pea to a peanut and will gradually increase in size and soften with age.