Estrogen Hypersecretion: Understanding Early Puberty

Hypersecretion, or early secretion of high levels of estrogen, can result in an unusually early outward appearance of puberty, according to Healthsystem.virginia.edu.

Early Development

• This occurrence is sometimes referred to as pseudo-precocious puberty and involves the early development of secondary sexual characters but not the development of the sexual glands. This condition is also called Gonadotropin-Independent Precocious Puberty.

Normal Puberty

• At puberty, gonadotropic hormones, including follicle stimulating hormones (FSH), prompt follicle (hair) growth and estrogen production in the female ovaries. When this occurs too early, it is considered precocious.

Secondary Characteristics

• Hypersecretion of estrogen can cause a young girl to develop pubic hair and underarm hair as well as breasts and a change in body odor.

Treatment

• It if it is determined that your young child is experiencing hypersecretion, reversing or stopping the early onset of puberty symptoms may require taking medication that inhibits sex hormones.

Tumor

• If this condition is caused by the presence of a tumor, surgical removal of the tumor may be required.