How To Prevent Early Puberty In girls

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Girls these days are entering puberty at younger and younger ages. It’s no longer unusual to see first- or second-graders with breast buds. (See our page on Early Puberty in Girls.) Parents who don’t want to see their daughter grow up too soon are frequently left wondering: Is there anything I can do to prevent early puberty in my daughter?

How to prevent or postpone early puberty in girls

While many variables are beyond your control, here are some tips that will help reduce the likelihood of precocious puberty in girls:

Reduce environmental exposures to endocrine disruptors
The world around us is filled with all sorts of chemicals and toxins, and many of these chemicals mimic the female hormone estrogen. These chemical exposures have been linked to early puberty in girls, likely because the increased estrogen levels trick the body into triggering the process of sexual maturity. You can read more on these chemicals in our book: Toxic Environment. But here are a few quick tips to help you limit your family’s exposure:

  • Limit your child’s exposure to plastic products, especially those containing bisphenol-A or phthalates.

  • Try to reduce your child’s exposure to pesticides via fresh fruit or produce. (See our page on pesticides on fruits and vegetables.) Pesticides are especially potent endocrine disruptors, and have been shown to increase rates of early puberty even across multiple generations, meaning if your daughter is exposed to high levels today, not only is she more likely to undergo early puberty, but her grandchildren are also at increased risk.

  • Limit a child’s use of beauty products and hygiene products, many of which contain estrogen-mimicking chemicals that are absorbed through the skin.

Encourage exercise and active lifestyles
Obesity is probably the most influential factor for early puberty in girls, since the onset of puberty is tied to a girl’s overall body weight. Healthy, fit girls tend to start puberty at later ages than overweight, inactive girls do. So encourage exercise, especially aerobic exercise.

Eat less processed foods & a healthier diet
Processed foods not only contribute to the obesity epidemic, but they are also more likely to contain higher amounts of endocrine disrupting chemicals, especially products that come in plastic packaging or serving trays.

What about puberty blockers?
Puberty blockers typically aren’t used unless there is a known, unnatural cause for a child’s early puberty. While parents may not like the thought of their daughter maturing at a young age, early puberty usually isn’t the type of thing that would warrant a medical intervention.

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