Puberty is a difficult time for teenagers and their parents, and delayed puberty is even more disturbing, especially when a boy sees all his classmates around him in a state of growth and physical development.

Late puberty may pose a set of challenges for the child and the mother alike, because of its severe psychological and mood impact.

What is delayed puberty?

We talk about delayed puberty, when a child enters the presumed or usual age of puberty without showing any physical changes, and according to the Children of Minnesota Foundation (Childrensmn), puberty does not happen overnight, but rather it is a long process that extends for years, and in When puberty usually begins in girls between 8 and 13 years, it ranges between 9 and 15 years in boys.

In some cases, signs of puberty do not appear on a girl until the age of 14, and it may not appear in boys until the age of 15, and this is considered a late puberty.

Reasons for delayed puberty

Delayed puberty can be caused by a variety of physical or genetic conditions, according to the Verywellfamily website, including:

  • Malnutrition:

    If a child is not getting proper nutrients, his body may not be equipped for puberty.

  • Hormonal problems:

    In the event of disorders or problems in the pituitary gland and thyroid gland, puberty may be delayed, as these glands fail to produce the hormones necessary for growth.

  • Chronic medical conditions:

    With some diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney disease, it becomes more difficult for the body to develop.

  • Family history:

    Delayed puberty may be due to the pattern of growth and development within the family, and it may be hereditary. In this case, there is no need to worry about delayed puberty.

Delayed puberty may be due to the pattern of growth and development within the family (Shutterstock)

Anxiety and diagnosis

It is natural for a mother to feel anxious about the delayed appearance of signs of puberty on her daughters at the age of 13, or on her sons at the age of 15, especially if this did not happen before in the family history.

In that case, a doctor should be consulted to diagnose delayed puberty and find out its causes. According to Kidshealth, the doctor performs a number of procedures in this case, including:

  • Review a complete medical history, medications the child is taking, and a physical examination.

  • Blood tests: to check for thyroid, pituitary, or chromosomal problems, measure hormone levels, and test for chronic disorders that may delay puberty, such as diabetes and anemia.

  • X-rays of the age of the bones: to see if they are maturing normally, because in the case of delayed puberty, bone growth is often delayed in relation to the age of the child.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging: of the organs and structures inside the body and to see if they are abnormal or not.

    • Negative effects and positive support

    It is necessary to see a doctor to diagnose the cause of delayed puberty and treat it according to the child's condition.

    But, also, it is important for the mother to realize that delayed puberty may cause embarrassment and stress for her teenage son.

    Some children may suffer from psychological problems during the teenage years due to delayed puberty, while they see their friends growing and developing, and this may expose them to bullying and ridicule.

    At some point, some children may become depressed and withdraw from social activities.

    It is necessary to see a doctor to diagnose the cause of delayed puberty and treat it according to the child’s condition (Shutterstock)

    Webmd advises the mother to follow some measures to help and support her child in this critical period, by:

  • Emotional and psychological support, reassuring and constantly encouraging the child who suffers from delayed puberty.

  • Teaching him to accept his body at every stage of life, and for the mother to be an actual model for that.

  • Telling the child repeatedly that delayed puberty is just a delay, and over time he will grow and grow like his friends.

  • Register the child in activities appropriate to his body type.

  • Encourage him to get enough sleep and eat a balanced and healthy diet.

  • Ensure that he is physically and socially involved in various activities.