Premature pubarche, or the development of pubic hair before the age of 8 in girls or 9 in boys, is most commonly caused by premature adrenarche. Adrenarche is the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis in both boys and girls, resulting in the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and adult apocrine body odor.
Adrenarche is the natural process in which your child's adrenal glands start producing a hormone called DHEA. This eventually leads to the development of armpit and pubic hair and body odor. Premature adrenarche happens when these signs develop in girls younger than 8 or boys younger than 9.
Incomplete puberty
Children with early pubic hair development (typically between 6 years and 8 years of age) often have adult-like body odor and acne. Changes progress slowly. These early physical changes are not caused by a disorder, and only a few children go on to develop actual precocious puberty.
Testosterone: This is the main sex hormone for boys. Increases in testosterone during puberty trigger many changes, including height increases; body and pubic hair growth; enlargement of their penis, testes and prostate gland; and increasing libido (sex drive).
However, some conditions, such as fungal infections, lice infestation, or vitiligo, may also result in white pubic hair. A person should contact a doctor as soon as possible if pubic hair suddenly turns white, they see lice, or think they may have vitiligo or white piedra.
You can expect several changes throughout the ages of 8-16 and these include hair growth on different body parts including the arm pits and outside of the vagina.
Breast development (“thelarche”) starts 2 to 3 years before the first period, often around age 8. Pubic hair development (“pubarche”) usually happens 1 to 2 years before the first period.
Pubic hair holds on to residual urine, vaginal discharge, blood and semen. Bacteria line up all along the hair shaft just lunching it up and creating odor. (Very appetizing, I know.) Trimming your pubic hair reduces that surface area for bacteria, thus reducing odor.
Adrenarche is the gradual increase in adrenal androgen secretion after approximately the age of 6 years in girls and 7 years in boys. It occurs independently from the gonadotrophin-dependent activation of the gonads in central puberty. Adrenarche is a normal variant of pubertal development.
Children with lower-nutrient diets tend to enter puberty earlier. A diet rich in processed foods and meats, dairy, and fast food is disruptive to normal physical development. Exposure to EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals).
In girls, breasts develop first. Then, hair starts growing in the pubic area. Next, hair starts growing in the armpits.
Premature pubarche, or the development of pubic hair before the age of 8 in girls or 9 in boys, is most commonly caused by premature adrenarche. Adrenarche is the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis in both boys and girls, resulting in the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and adult apocrine body odor.
It's not known what causes the adrenal gland to begin secreting androgens early. Since exposure to these hormones causes premature adrenarche, your child may also experience it if she comes in contact with hormone creams or other hormonal medications.
It's not actually uncommon for younger kids to have armpit smells. This smell is due to bacteria, sweat, and hormone changes. And as long as your child doesn't have any other signs of puberty, and they're under the age of eight, it's not a concern.
Hormonal changes
As we age, our hormones go through changes. From puberty to pregnancy to menopause, shifting hormones can mean hair in places we haven't seen it before, including the breasts. Women in their 20s or 30s can also go through hormonal changes, resulting in nipple hair.
The purpose of pubic hair is to protect us, just like the hair around your ears, nose, and eyes. It keeps the skin of your vulva warm and moisturized. It protects the delicate skin from friction during sexual activity. It keeps dust, dirt, and germs away from the vagina to prevent infection.
About 6 months to 1 year before a girl gets her first period, her body may start to make vaginal discharge. This is normal and due to changing hormone levels. The discharge helps keep the vagina healthy.
"The hair traps the smell," Michael Cackovic, M.D., an ob/gyn at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF. "What you can smell is bacteria mixing with the sweat and oil." But Rowen says that as long as you have good hygiene in general, your pubic hair isn't any worse off than the hair on your head.
In some individuals, the change in color of pubic hair may occur around the age of fifty, but it can happen earlier or later, depending on individual genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors.
Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.