Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in teenage girls. Hormonal explosion - teenagers

Adolescence is a time when physical changes and development of social status occur in the body. This is the period when children are between childhood and adulthood. It occurs between the ages of 12 and 20 years. The main changes occur in the first few years.

But if we consider changes associated with behavior and relationships with other people, they occur throughout adolescence.

There is such a term as puberty. Translated from Latin, it means “to be covered with hair.” This period marks a time of intense change in the early stages of adolescence.

The process of hormonal changes

The hypothalamus plays the main role in this period. It increases the secretion of substances that produce large amounts of hormones from 8 to 14 years. They are called gonadotropins. Gonadotropins are the same in both boys and girls. As for men, these hormones help increase testosterone, and in girls - tarragon.

For most teenagers, the first symptoms of intense physiological changes are enlargement of the testicles (for boys) and mammary glands (for girls). This happens around age 14. Responsive signs to increased hormones are external symptoms of maturation. As a result, all this is called additional sexual characteristics.

Intensive hair growth (this applies to both boys and girls) and, separately in girls, swelling of the mammary glands are the very first signs of physiological changes. After this, the child begins to grow rapidly and the level of sex hormones increases. Along with this, the growth of hormones also increases. At their signal, bone growth stops.

Girls mature 2 years faster than boys. Therefore, they are taller than their peers. In addition, the genitals also grow.

Physiological changes have one difference between girls and boys - growth.

Estrogen stimulates growth hormone in girls more than testosterone in boys. Many girls begin their menstrual cycle at age 12. In boys, the prostate gland enlarges during the period of changes.

2 years after hair appears in the pubic area, it begins to grow in the armpits. I have an opportunity . This is due to enlarged sebaceous glands.

Endocrine system disorders

In the modern world, children have become much shorter in height than before, but much fatter. This happens for several reasons:

• poor nutrition;
• high aggressiveness;
• weak immunity (get sick regularly).

If we talk about the endocrine system, then in most children it is disrupted. The reasons for this are obesity and the emergence of type I and type II diabetes. All of the above reasons arose due to ecology and nutrition.

It seems that children eat well, but mostly on food that is harmful to health, namely fast food and sugary carbonated drinks. The lifestyle has become immobile, leading to dysfunction.

The most important risk factor is heredity. If someone in a child’s family has diabetes, he should be examined by an endocrinologist twice a year, and also eat foods that are healthy for the body. Modern children suffer from both the first and. And this, as we know, leads to diabetes.

Parents' mistakes are as follows:

• intensive feeding of the baby - if the child is not gaining weight and is not eating well, he should not be force-fed. In this case, you need to contact a gastroenterologist or neurologist. The child may develop gastroenterological diseases;
• lack of constant checking of body mass index;
• feeding babies at night when they wake up. In this case, the baby gets used to constantly drinking and eating. Fat cells are formed up to 2 years of age.

Symptoms

Hormonal disorders have characteristic manifestations:

• long recovery of a child after a viral infection and childhood diseases;
• need for abundant and frequent drinking;
• frequent urination;
• lethargy and irritability for quite a long time;
• intense weight loss.

All these symptoms may be associated with the onset of diabetes; the appearance of any manifestation should prompt parents to undergo an examination.

Child development and hormones

Hormones play a large role in the functioning and development of the body. You need to know which hormones are very important in children and how to identify disorders.

Normal growth and development of children directly depends on hormones. This requires proper functioning of the endocrine system. If thyroid hormone disorders are not treated promptly, there may be undesirable developmental consequences over time.

The resulting disturbances in sex hormones will lead to problems with puberty. When a child’s body begins to grow rapidly, diseases should not be ignored, otherwise they will reoccur in adulthood.

Thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 influence many developmental factors. If these hormones are not enough, this can lead to hypothyroidism, and subsequently to disorders of the musculoskeletal system and.

Signs of thyroid hormone deficiency:

• swelling of the body and face, swelling of the neck and tongue;
• lethargy and inactivity;
• dry skin, which causes irritation;
• poor appetite and constipation;
• developmental delay.

In school-aged children, hypothyroidism can present in the form of constipation, regular fatigue, facial swelling and poor concentration.

Thyroid hormones interact with both growth and sex hormones. If they are deficient, weight loss or growth retardation may occur. In this regard, it is necessary to undergo a number of studies, take tests, and also check the TSH hormone.

Growth hormones

This hormone is necessary for the normal growth of the child. It is responsible for lengthening bones. Girls stretch out much faster, intensive growth begins at the age of 10, and for boys at 12. The growth period for boys ends at 19–20 years old, so they are often taller than girls of their age.

If growth hormone is produced normally, the child's body can lengthen by 10 cm in 1 year. In addition to hormones, heredity greatly influences growth.

Childhood diseases associated with hormones

If a huge loss of blood called insulin occurs in a child’s body, this contributes to the occurrence of type 1 diabetes. This is a rather serious disease and if its treatment is not started, there can be serious consequences: stroke, heart attack or death.

Diabetes symptoms:

• weight gain or loss;
• vomiting or pain in the abdomen;
• constant thirst;
• frequent urination;
• dizziness and irritability.

Hormonal problems in teenagers

During adolescence, quite rapid growth and transformation of the body occurs. At this time, the endocrine system begins to work intensively, in particular, the active load goes to the adrenal glands. Hormones cause physical and psychological changes in a teenager’s body. Hormonal imbalance during this period can be caused by:

• incorrect nutritional correction;
• excessive physical fatigue;
• irregular sleep patterns;
• avitaminosis.

In most cases, hormonal changes in adolescents are unnoticeable; no specific treatment is suggested here, since the body itself can normalize the condition after a certain time. But there are also situations when the child needs to be shown to a specialist.

Causes of hormonal imbalances in boys

Hormone balance is a very fragile mechanism, but there are many reasons why it is quite easily disrupted:

• thyroid disease;
• irregular meals;
• severe stressful situations;
• genetic diseases;
• diseases in the genital area;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• bad ecology;
• drug abuse.

Symptoms of failure

As for the characteristic symptoms of a failure, they are as follows:

• Acne is juvenile acne. They are more common among children of this age. The appearance of acne is associated with disruption of teenage hormones. The balance between estrogens and androgens is disturbed, where male hormones predominate over female ones. The sebaceous glands perceive this process negatively. This symptom usually does not require special treatment and goes away on its own without complications. In rare cases, it is necessary to take antibacterial drugs in the form of tablets or ointments.
• Excessive sweating - in this case, a disease such as hyperhidrosis may occur. Its norms can be considered if no other symptoms are observed. Its appearance is associated with very frequent hormonal disorders in children. These disorders affect the sympathetic system. It, in turn, controls the performance of the sweat glands. In some cases, sweating is a sign of the onset of very dangerous diseases, such as thyroid disease, diabetes and heart disease.

• Growth disorder – bone tissue grows due to growth hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland. If there is not enough growth hormone in the body, then a person’s growth will slow down significantly, and physical development will also be inhibited. If there is an excess of this hormone in the body, then there is a danger of appearance.
• Aggression and irritability - changes in the psyche of a teenager appear due to the fact that sex hormones begin to influence the central nervous system. There is a decrease in the threshold of excitability, variability of the autonomic nervous system. In such a situation, emotional disturbances can very often be observed (sharp mood swings, increased experiences and feelings, as well as alienation from the outside world).
• Changes in body weight - intense activity of the adrenal glands, which produce glucocorticoids, contributes to excess weight gain or loss with normal or high appetite.

Pathological processes

Stunted sexual development occurs due to improper hormonal imbalance, that is, lack of testosterone in boys. In this case, the voice does not break, and the height remains low. In rare cases, boys experience enlargement of the mammary glands. This phenomenon goes away after some time. Sometimes the cause of this process is a tumor of the testicles or adrenal glands.

If testosterone increases rapidly, puberty occurs faster. The musculoskeletal system develops intensively, hair appears in the groin area, but the testicles remain of standard size. The boy's physical development is absolutely inconsistent with his psycho-emotional development.

Hormonal imbalance in girls

A symptom of hormonal imbalance is menstrual irregularity. Early puberty appears due to dysfunction of the hypothalamus and the onset of menstruation before the age of 10 years.

In addition, the breasts begin to enlarge, hair appears in the groin and armpits. necessary if menstruation is not observed at the age of 15 years. This is not always a symptom of dysfunction of the ovaries and pituitary gland; it depends on the physiological characteristics of the girl.

Hormonal levels in girls fluctuate at the beginning of hormonal changes. For this reason, the menstrual cycle is not stable. If progesterone levels are quite low, then the uterus cannot reject blood in time. The menstrual cycle is normalized within 2 years. To diagnose a serious glandular disorder, you need to see a doctor if you have not had your period for a long time.

Treatment of hormonal imbalance

After the child has completed all the necessary examinations, the doctor must prescribe individual treatment. Most often, homeopathic drugs or synthetic hormones are prescribed. Constant stress or nervous disorders can lead to hormonal imbalances in children.

If the situation is advanced, then surgical intervention is required, and only after that hormonal treatment is carried out. The main thing is the correct daily routine and nutrition, rest and necessary physical exercise.

You should consult a doctor if your child experiences the following disorders:

• the child does not perceive information well;
• forgets a lot of what he heard or learned in class;
• unable to read, write, or attend classes for long periods of time.

Hormonal balance means a lot for the full development of a teenager. A child’s prosperous future depends on the normal functioning of teenage hormones. Any disorder in the production of hormones leads to pathologies.

Do you want your child to develop harmoniously? Don’t forget to show it to the endocrinologist - this is what our expert, pediatric endocrinologist Ph.D. says. Tatiana Varlamova.

Is the child’s character deteriorating, is he growing too rapidly or, on the contrary, is he suffering because he is the smallest in the class, too plump and chews all the time, or, on the contrary, he is thin and categorically refuses to eat? “Transitional age,” we say, “time will correct everything.” And, exchanging experiences with other parents, we are convinced that our baby is still nothing, but the neighbors’ son...

Diabetes makes you look younger?

Modern children have become shorter, but fatter, because they do not eat properly, get sick more often and are nervous, to say the least - mentally unbalanced. These are the gloomy conclusions reached by experts dealing with children’s health at the All-Russian Forum “Health of the Nation,” held in Moscow this spring. The results of recent scientific research have made it possible to assess the real state of children's health, which is very different from official statistics.

Risky inheritance
Diabetes mellitus type I. The risk of inheriting insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, so-called juvenile diabetes, is low.
The likelihood of a child getting sick:
2-3% - if the mother is sick
5-6% - with diabetes in the father
15-20% - if both parents are sick
10% is the incidence of diabetes among siblings with diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus type II is caused by hereditary predisposition much more strongly:
40-50% - if one of the parents is sick. True, the disease usually occurs after the age of 40.
50-80% - if the parents are also diagnosed with obesity in combination with type II diabetes, the so-called diabetes mellitus of obese adults.

According to the Scientific Center for Children's Health of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, only 2% of school graduates can be considered healthy. Over the past few years, there have been 8.5% fewer children with normal physical development. A generation of relatively healthy children is growing, or, as doctors say, “healthy patients.” The term “retardation” appeared, that is, a slowdown in physical development and the formation of functional systems in children and adolescents.

And the number of endocrine disorders in children has increased significantly over 15-20 years. This is due, firstly, to the epidemic of our century - obesity. Secondly, with the increasing number of cases of diabetes (both insulin-dependent - type I diabetes, and type II diabetes, which was previously called diabetes of the elderly), it has become significantly younger and is now increasingly beginning to develop in children.

Naturally, this is connected with both ecology and urbanization, that is, with the costs of city life. And, of course, with food. On the one hand, children began to eat more, but on the other hand, this is not always what they need. Often, even at home, children are treated to fast food and sweet drinks - not only carbonated drinks, but also sweetened “morsiki” and “kompotiki”.

In addition, children move less, and this contributes to the development of functional disorders.

But the main risk factor is family history. True, if there are cases of diabetes in the family, this does not mean that the child will definitely get sick, but he is at risk. This means that he needs special supervision from an endocrinologist (2-3 times a year) and nutritional correction. Nowadays there are a lot of cases of obesity in children - I and II degrees! And a violation of fat metabolism leads to a violation of carbohydrate metabolism and the development of diabetes.

Typical mistakes of parents:

• Overfeeding a child. If the child is healthy, but thin and has poor appetite, this may be a manifestation of gastroenterological diseases or increased excitability. This means that it makes sense to show him to a neurologist and gastroenterologist, but just not force him to eat, making painful hysterical performances out of feedings.
• Unhealthy diet: foods containing trans fats (cookies, chips) and excess sweets. The child's diet must be balanced.
• Failure to regularly check the child's body mass index.
• Feeding newborns throughout the day without stopping at night. A common mistake mothers make is to breastfeed their baby at night every time he wakes up. So he has a need to eat and drink all the time. But the number of fat cells is formed precisely during this period of development - before the age of two years!

Alarming symptoms:

• It takes a long time for a child to recover from adenoviral infections or childhood diseases.
• Feels thirsty often and drinks too much liquid.
• He urinates frequently and profusely.
• He remains in a state of lethargy and irritability for a long time.
• He begins to lose weight noticeably.

These are possible signs of diabetes. Therefore, you should immediately check your blood glucose levels.

Height and bone age

When a child lags behind his peers in growth, this is perceived as a tragedy by both the parents and himself; adolescents experience this especially painfully.

Why does a person’s height depend? It is influenced by two main factors - genes, that is, heredity, and again nutrition in early childhood. Tall parents usually have taller children, and vice versa. And, if the parents are above average height, and the child is lagging behind, you need to check his somatotropic hormone (GH) level.

Severe (especially chronic) diseases can also reduce growth rates. A weakened baby temporarily switches the energy that should have been spent on growth to the healing process.

An important role is played by the mother’s health during pregnancy, as well as the individual characteristics of metabolic processes in the child’s body.

And the functions of the endocrine glands - the thyroid gland and the sex hormone testosterone - have a very large influence on growth. An increase in its production stimulates bone growth up to a certain limit, but later it begins to suppress growth zones, stopping growth. This can be observed in young men during puberty, when the acceleration of growth is replaced in the period of maturity (at 16-18 years old) by its stop.

Norm and deviations:

It is very important to monitor growth rates during the first two years of life.

• In the first year, children grow by an average of 25-30 cm, in the second - up to 12 cm, and in the third - 6 cm. Then rapid growth gives way to so-called uniform growth, that is, an increase of 4-8 cm per year.
• At the beginning of puberty, children typically experience growth spurts again. This period of rapid growth is caused by the influence of sex hormones - a hormonal “surge”.
• For girls, this period begins at the age of 10 (maximum at 12), when they gain an average of 8 cm per year.
• In boys aged 12-14 years, the increase in height is on average 10 cm per year, with possible individual deviations of 1-1.5 years.
• During the puberty “leap” (for boys this usually occurs at 13-16 years old, for girls at 12-15), both main indicators of physical development - height and body weight - intensively manifest themselves. In a relatively short period of time, height can increase by 20%, and body weight - even by 50%.
  In girls, this “jump” can begin at 10.5 years, reaching its greatest expression by 12.5. And their body growth continues until they are 17-19 years old.
• At the beginning of puberty, boys lag behind girls, and at about 14.5 years old they begin to intensively catch up with them, and their growth continues until about 19-20 years old.

Alarming symptoms:

• Indicators of weight and height may vary - it depends on the individual characteristics of a particular child, so the reason for concern should not be one number, but a stable age-related trend of lagging or accelerating growth. Genes play a big role here, but the hereditary program can fail for some external reasons.
• Adolescents in physical and sexual development may be delayed by 1-2 years compared to their peers who intensively engage in sports with constant physical activity (gymnastics, wrestling, etc.).
• Chronic diseases, for example, gastritis, gastroduodenitis, which sometimes occur almost asymptomatically in adolescents, can significantly affect growth retardation.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as arterial hypertension, rheumatism, heart defects, and some pulmonary diseases, also contribute to a decrease in height.
• And, of course, endocrine diseases, the first signs of which sometimes appear at an early age, and sometimes only in adolescence, lead to a slowdown in the child’s physical development - and, first of all, to a decrease in height.

It is important not to waste time, to promptly notice that the child’s growth is not normal, and be sure to contact specialists - a pediatrician and an endocrinologist.

It is also necessary to check the bone age - its correspondence to the passport age - and growth zones. To do this, an X-ray of the hands and wrist joints is taken. The growth zones are clearly visible in the picture. If these zones close at the age of 14-15, it means that the child will no longer grow, and this is an unfavorable sign.

Thyroid

The last two decades have been marked by a steady increase in thyroid diseases in children. In addition to burdened heredity, the region of residence also plays an important role. If there is a lack of iodine in the region, its deficiency must be replenished with the help of iodine preparations - iodomarin, potassium iodide, etc.

How do hormones function?
The endocrine system is the endocrine glands, such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, ovaries, testicles, etc. Hormones (endocrine substances) are secreted by the endocrine system directly into the bloodstream and regulate vital processes in the body. All over the world, there has recently been an increase in diseases associated with endocrine system disruption. Moreover, most endocrine diseases manifest themselves in childhood. Typical symptoms of endocrine disorders - unreasonable fatigue, sudden mood swings, irritability, obesity or sudden weight loss, too early or delayed puberty - should serve as a serious reason to contact an endocrinologist.

To some extent, insufficient physical activity and even too much time at the computer at an early age can provoke the development of thyroid diseases, such as autoimmune thyroiditis - a deficiency of thyroid hormone, which leads to further functional disorders.

If after a careful examination and ultrasound it turns out that the gland is enlarged, but the level of thyroid hormones is normal, then iodine supplements are sufficient. If the hormone level is increased or decreased, serious correction and treatment with hormonal drugs is necessary.

Doctors do not confirm the widespread belief that the hormones that the mother took during pregnancy also lead to the development of endocrine disorders in children. Hormones, as a rule, are prescribed to women with problems of the reproductive system - miscarriage, etc. Such a course of treatment under the supervision of a doctor almost never - there is a lot of research on this topic - does not affect the health of children. On the contrary, in the correct, precisely selected dosage, the hormonal drug helps maintain pregnancy. Hypothyroidism can also be congenital - it is a hereditary disease when a child is already born with a “bad” thyroid gland. Therefore, since 1992, we have been screening newborns for endocrine diseases.

Such early diagnosis is very important: if treatment is started immediately (and children with hypothyroidism need lifelong treatment), developmental delays can be avoided.

Cases of congenital hypothyroidism in Russia average 1 in 4000 newborns. Therefore, the best prevention of endocrine system disorders in children is examination of pregnant women in the early stages, when the formation of the nervous system and thyroid gland in the fetus occurs.

Alarming symptoms:

• Slowdown in growth rates.
• Weight disorders - both deficiency and excess. If the child is too fat, this may indicate a metabolic disorder.
• With a deficiency of thyroid hormones, children are lethargic, pasty, weak - they get tired quickly compared to their peers, and get up very hard in the morning.
• If the gland is overactive, weight loss and increased emotional excitability are observed, especially in girls. They become tearful, even aggressive, hand tremors, enlarged eyeballs, a difference in pressure - decreased diastolic and increased systolic (pulse), thin, tender, even dry skin and general fussiness of movements may appear.

An experienced doctor can identify violations by the way the child enters the office: this is noticeable in his plastic behavior, hyperactive behavior, and excessive fussiness.

Gender issues

Puberty in children is mainly determined by heredity, but not only genetic characteristics determine the type of development of the child, but also the nationality and race of the parents - children of southern or eastern peoples, for example, mature earlier.

How to determine the ideal weight of a child?
For children from 1 year to 12 years, deviation of body weight from ideal can be assessed in points - from five to two. Body mass index (BMI) for children over 2 years of age is calculated using the same formula as for adults: weight in kg divided by height in cm squared.
5 points - exact correspondence of the child’s weight to his age
+4 – slightly overweight
+3 – moderate overweight
+2 - pronounced excess weight
-4 - mild underweight
-3 - moderate underweight
-2 - severe weight deficiency

Estimation of body weight in girls

Age, years	BMI score in points
	-2	-3	-4	5	+4	+3	+2
1	14,7	15,0	15,8	16,6	17,6	18,6	19,3
2	14,3	14,7	15,3	16,0	17,1	18,0	18,7
3	13,9	14,4	14,9	15,6	16,7	17,6	18,3
4	13,6	14,1	14,7	15,4	16,5	17,5	18,2
5	13,5	14,0	14,6	15,3	16,3	17,5	18,3
6	13,3	13,9	14,6	15,3	16,4	17,7	18,8
7	13,4	14,4	14,7	15,5	16,7	18,5	19,7
8	13,6	14,2	15,0	16,0	17,2	19,4	21,0
9	14,0	14,5	15,5	16,6	17,2	20,8	22,7
10	14,3	15,0	15,9	17,1	18,0	21,8	24,2
11	14,6	15,3	16,2	17,8	19,0	23,0	25,7
12	15,0	15,6	16,7	18,3	19,8	23,7	26,8

Estimation of body weight in boys

Age, years	BMI score in points
	-2	-3	-4	5	+4	+3	+2
1	14,6	15,4	16,1	17,2	18,5	19,4	19,9
2	14,4	15,0	15,7	16,5	17,6	18,4	19,0
3	14,0	14,6	15,3	16,0	17,0	17,8	18,4
4	13,8	14,4	15,0	15,8	16,6	17,5	18,1
5	13,7	14,2	14,9	15,5	16,3	17,3	18,0
6	13,6	14,0	14,7	15,4	16,3	17,4	18,1
7	13,6	14,0	14,7	15,5	16,5	17,7	18,9
8	13,7	14,1	14,9	15,7	17,0	18,4	19,7
9	14,0	14,3	15,1	16,0	17,6	19,3	20,9
10	14,3	14,6	15,5	16,6	18,4	20,3	22,2
11	14,6	15,0	16,0	17,2	19,2	21,3	23,5
12	15,1	15,5	16,5	17,8	20,0	22,3	24,8

You can calculate the ideal weight for your child, taking into account his constitutional body type, using the formula: MI = (P x G): 240, where MI is the ideal body weight in kg; P—height in cm; G - chest circumference in cm; 240 is a constant calculation coefficient.

A sign of normality or deviation can be the sequence of appearance of secondary sexual characteristics: in girls, the mammary glands must first develop, then hair growth occurs in the pubic area, then menstruation occurs. If the sequence is broken, this is not a sign of a disease, but a reason to consult an endocrinologist. When girls have hair on their arms, legs and back, it is necessary to exclude excess androgens by doing special studies. If they are in excess, we can talk about pathology of the adrenal glands. If the hormonal levels are normal, this may be a manifestation of a constitutional feature.

Normally, at the age of 8-9 years, girls show the first signs of maturation: the nipple areas begin to protrude a little, slightly change color and shape. And then, from 10-12 years old, a redistribution of adipose tissue, development of the mammary glands, etc. gradually begins to occur. The first menstruation normally appears at 12-14 years old, but fluctuations are possible in the range from 10 to 16 years - in the northern areas.

Normal puberty in boys usually occurs between 9 and 14 years of age. The first signs are enlargement of the testicles, then, after 6 months, the appearance of pubic hair, reaching a peak in the final stage of growth of the genital organs.

Boys at this age sometimes experience swelling of the mammary glands - one or both; as a rule, this is caused by excess prolactin and does not require treatment. This is not a disease, but a physiological phenomenon - the so-called genicomastia. It may be a consequence of obesity.

Alarming symptoms:

• Pubic hair in girls in the absence of other secondary sexual characteristics can be caused by a malfunction of the adrenal glands, for example, an adrenal tumor. This is a serious reason to contact an endocrinologist.
• Growth retardation compared to peers. In this case, it is necessary to conduct an examination to determine whether the bone age corresponds to the biological age.
• Obesity in boys can also contribute to pathological development of the genitals.
• Endocrine deviation - cryptorchidism, when one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum in time, but remain in the abdominal cavity.
• Underdevelopment of the genitals, if, for example, a boy at the age of 13 began to develop hair growth (axillary and pubic area), and the genitals are still of child size, the child is taken under the supervision of endocrinologists.
• Precocious puberty can occur in children of both sexes. This is an alarming symptom if secondary sexual characteristics appear in boys under 9 years of age or in girls under 8 years of age. In any case, it is necessary to see an endocrinologist at least once a year, even in the absence of pronounced abnormalities.

Endocrine diseases in children are associated with various factors; they must be constantly monitored and properly treated. Caring parents always put the health of their children first.

Children's diseases can affect different organs and systems, including the endocrine one.

The endocrine system is a center that regulates the functioning of the child’s entire body; this happens with the help of hormones produced by the glands.

When a failure or problem occurs in this process, various diseases of the endocrine system develop.

It is based on a disruption of activity in which there is an increased, or vice versa, insufficient release of hormones.

In order to respond to violations in a timely manner, you need to know the symptoms of endocrine diseases and carefully monitor your child’s condition.

The first signs of endocrine disorders are increased or decreased appetite, too much or insufficient activity.

Having noticed such manifestations in a child, adults should pay attention to some points. Diseases of the endocrine system are accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. Sudden changes in weight or growth arrest.
2. If a girl's menstruation began very early - at the age of 8 - 10, or has not started by the age of 15, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist. In addition, during this period, the girl may develop vegetation in uncharacteristic places. In this case, you need to check her hormones for testosterone levels.
3. Hormonal imbalance in boys can be characterized by the appearance of vegetation in the genital area too early. In this case, consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary.
4. Frequent headaches in a child and blurred vision should also alert parents. It is necessary to monitor how much liquid the child drinks. If, in the absence of diabetes, he drinks more than 5 liters of fluid per day, then the pituitary gland should be checked for a tumor.
5. Children whose close relatives have diabetes should be monitored more closely.

Treatment of endocrine diseases in children is carried out by a pediatric endocrinologist; a preventive consultation with him will not be superfluous in any case, since problems with the endocrine system are easier to treat at an early age.

Causes of diseases of the endocrine system

Why endocrine disease occurs is unknown. Endocrinology as a science has not existed for long, and therefore many questions do not yet have answers.

However, a number of factors are known that can provoke various pathological processes. Have a negative effect on the functioning of the glands:

• bad ecology;
• genetics;
• poor nutrition;
• psychological trauma;
• diseases of viral or infectious etiology;
• brain injuries;
• tumors.

Symptoms of a disorder in the endocrine system

Most often, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus are diagnosed in childhood.

Of course, they all manifest themselves differently, but there are some common symptoms, the appearance of which requires an urgent response.

When the endocrine system fails, the symptoms of the disease may be as follows:

• the child’s weight changes, and this happens abruptly; the child can lose weight or gain weight in a month, while the diet remains the same;
• the child gets tired quickly, becomes lethargic, drowsy, and some lethargy is noted;
• sudden changes in mood;
• the child drinks a lot of liquid and his urination has become frequent and profuse;
• colds occur more often than usual;
• the child sweats a lot or, on the contrary, there is a complete absence of sweat;
• dry skin, hair breaks;
• the child complains of abdominal pain;
• there is stunted growth or excessive growth.

Endocrine pathologies in children

The endocrine system in children is a very complex and sensitive mechanism.

A child's body grows and develops, and therefore children's bodies work a little differently than adults'.

Features of the endocrine system in children imply special methods and principles for treating diseases.

There are many hardware and instruments that are designed to detect endocrine pathologies in children at an early stage.

Therefore, parents should contact specialists in a timely manner and prevent the development of diseases.

Diseases of the endocrine system in children may be as follows:

• problems with the thyroid gland - its enlargement, formation of nodes in it, thyroiditis;
• pathologies of puberty - untimely sexual development, menstrual irregularities;
• obesity;
• diabetes;
• disorders in physical development;
• problems with the exchange of phosphorus and calcium;
• hormone deficiency;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• diffuse toxic goiter;
• in boys - absence of testicles in the scrotum.

Diagnosis of diseases

At the initial visit to the endocrinologist, a visual examination of the child is carried out, after which the doctor prescribes the following tests:

• urine and blood analysis to determine hormonal status and composition (biological and chemical);
• dopplerography;
• puncture biopsy;
• scintigraphy.

What complications can there be?

With diseases of the endocrine system, the following complications may develop:

• disorders of psychomotor, sexual and physical development;
• failures in many systems and organs;
• forced changes in the child's lifestyle.

The most severe consequences:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• retardation in mental and physical development;
• problems and pathologies in the functioning of the central nervous system;
• oncological formations.

Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus in a child

This disease can be either hereditary or acquired. If the development of the disease is noticed too late, a coma may develop.

According to statistics, more and more children are admitted to clinics in a state of sugar coma. For it to occur, a couple of weeks of the acute phase of the disease is enough.

If during these 2 weeks parents see the symptoms of the disease and consult a doctor on time, serious consequences can be avoided. The most pronounced of them:

• thirst;
• night urination;
• weight loss;
• vomiting, abdominal pain;
• changes in appetite;
• lethargy.

Neither massage, nor acupuncture, nor exercise therapy will help restore the lack of hormones; only hormonal therapy can bring the hormonal balance back to normal.

Parents should be alert to the following:

• immobility of the child;
• swelling of the tongue;
• dry skin;
• A 3 month old baby cannot hold his head up.

Poor functioning of the thyroid gland can affect a child’s performance at school; the child feels cold even in the warm season, constipation occurs, and the face may swell.

Growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland. If there are any pathologies in its work, then the production of not only growth hormone, but also many other hormones is disrupted, therefore, in children with growth retardation, delayed sexual development is also observed.

To reduce the number of relapses of existing diseases, you need to adjust the child’s lifestyle to reduce their intensity.

The diet must be compiled by a nutritionist, the food must be balanced and contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Many parents are skeptical about therapeutic exercises and do not understand the connection between endocrine diseases and exercise therapy.

With diseases of the endocrine system, the child experiences psychomotor retardation, problems with the gastrointestinal tract arise, and metabolism is disrupted.

Therapeutic exercise can prevent or make these manifestations less pronounced, and in addition, it does not allow deformation of the musculoskeletal system.

The role of therapeutic exercises in the treatment of endocrine diseases is very significant, so it should not be neglected.

It is advisable to avoid stressful situations and psycho-emotional stress. Early prevention of diseases of the endocrine system can significantly increase the child’s chances of full development and help avoid various serious complications.

In the female body, in addition to many others, two sex hormones are produced: progesterone and estrogen. When their amount in the blood is in balance, then women's health is in order.

But if the production of the female hormone progesterone decreases, the production of the male hormone estrogen increases accordingly. This fact has a destructive effect on all functions of the body. This can manifest itself not only in excess weight and poor skin, but also in the development of serious diseases.

Hormonal imbalance can most often occur as a result of physiological processes in the female body:

• puberty;
• menopause;
• pregnancy;
• childbirth;
• abortion.

But there are other factors in the development of hormone imbalance.

Causes of hormonal imbalance

1. Diseases of the reproductive organs. If the ovaries do not produce enough progesterone, this leads not only to infertility, but also to disruption of all functions.
2. Diets, irregular meals, lack of nutrients. If the female body does not receive enough vitamins and minerals, this has a destructive effect on all functions. This can happen due to poor nutrition and strict diets. Instead of the desired weight loss, a woman may gain excess weight due to impaired metabolism.
3. Heredity. Imperfections in the hormonal system may be congenital. In this case, you need to contact a specialist and begin serious treatment.
4. Excess weight. Excess subcutaneous tissue provokes metabolic disorders.
5. Frequent colds and chronic diseases. Infectious diseases suffered in childhood can affect the life of an adult girl with metabolic disorders. This item includes not only acute respiratory infections, but also serious sexually transmitted diseases: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia.
6. Heavy physical activity. If a woman engages in strength sports or works in hard physical labor, then all this negatively affects her hormonal levels. If at the same time a woman is also malnourished, her periods may stop and serious illnesses may develop.
7. Endocrine system disorders: diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas.
8. Stress and nervous tension. Frequent stress disrupts the functioning of the central nervous system, which controls all functions, including hormonal ones.
9. Operations and complications after surgery.
10. Taking hormonal drugs. Long-term use of contraceptives can disrupt the natural production of hormones. Such drugs are found not only in birth control pills, but also in other medications. You should carefully study the instructions and consult your doctor.
11. Wrong lifestyle. This includes: irregular daily routine, lack of sleep (less than 8 hours), chronic fatigue, lack of fresh air, drinking alcohol and smoking.

How to recognize this serious illness in order to begin treatment on time?

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women

Characteristic signs in women:

1. Menstrual irregularities. These may be delays for a long period or a sharp change in the amount of discharge.
2. Weight gain. If a woman does not radically change her diet, but at the same time begins to rapidly gain weight, then the alarm should be sounded.
3. Mood swings. Irritability, tearfulness, causeless aggression, anger, depression are signs of hormonal imbalance.
4. Decreased libido. If a girl loses interest in sex life, this is a serious reason to think about her hormonal levels.
5. Headaches, migraines.
6. Chronic fatigue: fatigue, as well as sleep disturbance.
7. Hair loss, brittle nails and problematic skin. Intense hair loss can be caused not only by stress and poor nutrition, but also by hormonal imbalance. Acne and oily skin are usually common among teenagers. During this period, the formation of the hormonal system occurs, which manifests itself in minor imperfections on the face.
8. Other individual symptoms: early aging, breast tumors, genital diseases. If a woman has discovered at least 2-3 of the symptoms listed above, then she should contact a gynecologist and endocrinologist for a detailed examination of her health.

Critical periods of the female body

As already noted, hormone imbalance can most often occur during certain periods. To prevent this phenomenon and minimize its manifestation, it is necessary to take a closer look at each period in a woman’s life.

Hormonal imbalance in teenage girls

For the first time, a woman encounters a similar disorder during puberty. Usually this is 11-14 years old. At this time, the girl “turns” into a girl. Her mammary glands begin to form and her first menstruation begins.

During this period, hormonal disruption may occur in girls. This may manifest itself in premature maturation or, conversely, delayed sexual formation.

If puberty is delayed, menstruation may occur at 15-16 years of age. The reason for this may be poor nutrition, stress, and frequent infectious diseases.

The main “side factor” accompanying hormonal imbalance in adolescence is acne. If the girl is generally healthy, then acne can be quickly cured in a beauty salon using drying masks, liquid nitrogen and other procedures.

But if irritability, aggressiveness, lack of sleep and menstrual irregularities are added to problem skin, then this is a serious reason to take your child to the doctor.

In a healthy teenager, minor manifestations of hormonal imbalance can be adjusted with a proper daily routine, a balanced diet, good sleep, and taking vitamin complexes.

At this age, parents should be attentive to their daughter. Very often, girls need a warm family environment, close communication with their mother, and understanding. You should be patient and become your child's best friend. A warm attitude towards your daughter will be rewarded many times over. After all, happy is the person who was able to raise good and worthy children!

Hormonal imbalance after childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth are the most important period in a woman’s life. At this time, she secretes many different hormones. If a girl did not have serious illnesses before pregnancy and led a healthy lifestyle, then after giving birth she recovers very quickly without side effects within 2-3 months.

However, childbirth and pregnancy can often disrupt the functioning of various systems. Childbirth is a great stress for the body and the endocrine system “suffers” the most from this.

Symptoms of hormone imbalance include:

• unstable mental background;
• weight gain;
• pressure surges;
• decreased libido;
• problems with lactation.

If the recovery period drags on for more than six months, you should contact an endocrinologist. The doctor must order tests and then prescribe the appropriate medications.

Gaining weight after pregnancy is normal. With a healthy lifestyle, your weight will return to normal very quickly. You can lose weight during hormonal imbalance with the help of fitness and proper diet. Sports and diet can be started no earlier than 6 months after giving birth. After all, intense exercise and dietary restrictions can have a destructive effect on milk production.

You need to lose weight after childbirth only in consultation with a doctor, so as not to harm either yourself or the baby!

Hormonal imbalance after abortion

In the vast majority of cases, after an abortion, a woman experiences a hormonal imbalance. This can be explained this way: for the development of the fetus, various hormones begin to be actively released into the woman’s blood, ensuring the vital functions of both the unborn baby and the mother. But an abrupt cessation of this physiological process causes a disruption in the hormonal system.

This is manifested by the following symptoms:

• sudden weight gain;
• hypertension;
• sweating;
• hair loss;
• problems with skin, nails;
• frequent headaches, depression, nervous breakdowns.

Abortion is always a threat to women's health. The sooner it is done, the fewer negative consequences. If the surgical intervention went well, then after a month the woman will have her period again and she has a chance to become a mother again. Unfortunately, in many cases, after an abortion, you have to recover for a long time, taking hormonal medications.

Abortion is especially dangerous for girls who have not given birth. It threatens the most terrible consequence for a woman - infertility.

Menopause – attenuation of reproductive function

The decline of reproductive function begins after 45 years. Menstruation becomes irregular and all sexual functions gradually fade away.

In most cases, menopause is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms:

• disorders of the cardiovascular system;
• insomnia;
• sweating;
• mood swings;
• pressure surges;
• headaches and migraines.

All these symptoms indicate insufficient estrogen production. You can reduce the manifestations of all the “delights” of menopause with a healthy diet, proper rest, and a good psychological atmosphere. In difficult cases, hormonal imbalance must be treated with special medications. All this must be prescribed by a doctor and the medicine prescribed, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

How to restore hormonal imbalance

When starting treatment, it is necessary to identify the cause of the hormone imbalance. To do this, the doctor prescribes blood tests to determine the amount produced by the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and ovaries.

After receiving the results, treatment is carried out with drugs that contain natural and artificial hormones:

• Mastodion;
• Cyclodinone;
• Klimaktoplan;
• Yarina;
• Regulon;
• Novinet;
• Lindineth.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe antipsychotics, homeopathic medications and vitamin complexes.

What to do in case of hormonal imbalance? If the failure of hormones is accompanied by an increase in body weight, then it is imperative to carry out work in the appropriate direction. It is necessary to reconsider your diet and, under the supervision of a doctor, begin to eat properly. Exercise is the most important part of normalizing weight. Thus, everything in combination: medications, diet and sports will give good long-term results.

Diet for hormonal imbalance

Hormone imbalance is often accompanied by weight gain. This may be due to the following reasons:

• increased appetite;
• metabolic disease;
• fluid retention in tissues.

Nutrition for hormonal imbalance should include a variety of fresh and high-quality foods. The diet must include:

• vegetables, fruits, herbs;
• fish;
• poultry and beef;
• cereals;
• honey, nuts, dried fruits.

Plant foods containing fiber should make up 50% of the daily diet. You should definitely reduce sweet, spicy, smoked, salty foods that retain fluid in the cells.

You should get rid of bad habits: smoking and alcohol. Alcoholic drinks contain a large number of calories and also have a destructive effect on a woman’s hormonal levels.

To always be at a good weight, you need to follow simple rules:

1. Eat small portions 5-6 times a day.
2. Once a week, have a fasting day - drink kefir and eat apples.
3. It is necessary to weigh yourself regularly and monitor your “ideal” weight.
4. Drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day every day.
5. Do any kind of sport: fitness, tennis, morning jogging, exercise equipment.

Physical exercise not only burns calories, but also gives a boost of positive energy.

Is it possible to get pregnant with hormonal imbalance?

A woman's reproductive functions may be impaired, which can lead to menstrual irregularities and infertility. If she cannot get pregnant, the doctor usually prescribes a diagnosis:

• thyroid examination;
• ovarian testing;
• donating blood for hormone tests.

After receiving the results, the doctor prescribes one of the treatment methods:

• hormonal drugs;
• treatment of sexually transmitted infections;
• a diet based on a balanced diet;
• surgical intervention.

Thus, pregnancy due to hormonal imbalance is possible if timely treatment is started.

Treatment of hormonal imbalance in women with folk remedies is possible with the help of medicinal herbs that contain natural phytohormones. These include:

• sage;
• linseed oil;
• hog uterus;
• valerian root;
• mint;
• oregano;
• sagebrush.

Taking herbal infusions containing hormones has advantages over artificial hormonal medications that have side effects.

Herbal decoctions should be taken according to a clear schedule, taking into account the individual tolerance of the body. Herbal medicine should be carried out after consultation with a doctor so as not to harm the body.

Prevention for women:

1. The development of hormonal imbalance can very often occur for no apparent reason. Therefore, in order to recognize the “first signs”, it is necessary to undergo regular medical examinations and undergo appropriate tests.
2. Lead a healthy lifestyle: eat well, sleep enough time, walk more and do not exhaust yourself with heavy physical activity.
3. At the first symptoms, you need to consult a doctor and start treatment.

Untimely treatment of hormone imbalance can lead to the following consequences:

• obesity;
• infertility;
• breast cancer, cervical cancer;
• excessive growth of body hair;
• tooth loss and early aging.

Hormonal imbalance is, first of all, a lack of self-love, as well as insufficient attention to one’s body. If you prevent the first symptoms of the disease in time, and also lead a healthy lifestyle, then the production of hormones will very quickly return to normal.

Puberty- this is the process of changes in the body of a teenager, as a result of which he becomes an adult and acquires the ability to procreate. Boys are in adolescence starts at 13-15 years old and ends at 17-19 years old. The hormonal changes that occur during this period determine not only physical changes in the young man’s body, but also affect his social behavior. What should a teenager and his parents know about puberty?

During the transition period, a boy becomes a man

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Puberty is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. At this time, significant hormonal changes occur, which determines a certain, genetically determined physical development. The term puberty usually refers to the sexual development of a young man, but does not affect the psychological changes that occur during this process. The teenage period actually lasts longer than puberty itself and includes not only physical, but also social maturation.

Physical development due to hormonal changes in the body

The transition period begins for all boys at different ages. On average, the first changes are noted at the age of 13-15 years. For comparison, girls mature earlier and are about 2-3 years ahead of boys. What happens during this period in the body of a young man?

1. The production of GN-RH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) in the hypothalamus increases.
2. Increased in the pituitary gland.
3. The production of sex hormones in the testicles is stimulated.

Thus, the hypothalamus comes into play first. It begins to actively synthesize GN-RH, which in turn leads to increased production of hormones in the pituitary gland subordinate to it and further in the testicles. Increased production of hormones inevitably leads to the launch of certain processes and the onset of sexual development.

Processes occurring in the body of a young man under the influence of hormones:

• Connections are established between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and gonads.
• The sensitivity of tissues to the action of sex hormones increases.
• There is a gradual maturation of the gonad receptor apparatus.
• The mass of seminiferous tubules increases.
• Sperm maturation occurs in Sertoli cells.

Hormone production leads to sexual development

All these processes occurring in the body of a young man lead to the appearance of certain changes in the body and the formation of secondary sexual characteristics.

Stages of physical development during puberty

2-3 years before the onset of puberty, production increases. This process is called adrenarche. At this time, there is an intensification, which subsequently leads to the launch of other physiological processes. The exact scheme of regulation of adrenarche has not yet been studied, but the influence of some enzymes on this process (cytochrome P450, etc.) has been noted.

During adolescence, a young man’s body changes in several stages:

Enlargement of the external genitalia

The first sign of puberty in boys is considered to be enlarged testicles. In the pre-pubertal period, their sizes remain practically unchanged and are 2-3 cm in length and 1.5-2.5 cm in width. Starting from 12-13 years of age, the testicles increase in size to 4 cm³. After 5-6 years of puberty, the volume of the testicles should be about 20 cm³.

The penis begins to increase in size along with the growth of the testicles. The frequency of erections increases (an increase in the volume of the penis as a result of the filling of the cavernous bodies with blood against the background of sexual arousal). They arise. Normally, wet dreams occur every 2-3 days, but an increase or decrease in their frequency during adolescence should not be considered a pathology. In adult men, wet dreams can be a consequence of prolonged sexual abstinence.

By the age of 14-15, a boy has full-fledged sperm. After the first wet dreams occur, the young man is theoretically ready to become a father. Do not forget about contraception and protection against STIs during this period.

Due to hormonal changes, secondary sexual characteristics are formed

Hair Growth

First of all, hair appears on the pubic area, and this happens soon after the testicles begin to grow. The first hairs appear at the base of the penis. As the hair becomes thicker, it covers the entire pubic area, extends to the hips, appears along the linea alba, and reaches the navel. After 6-18 months, hair begins to grow in the armpits, around the nipples, above the upper lip and on the chin. The sequence and intensity of hair growth is individual and is largely determined by heredity. Not all young men experience hair growth on their chests or other parts of their bodies. Hair continues to grow throughout life and becomes significantly thicker over time.

Voice change

Voice loss occurs under the influence of androgens. Increased synthesis of hormones leads to rapid growth of the larynx, thickening and lengthening of the vocal cords. The young man's voice becomes low. The voice may be unstable for several years. The timbre of the voice is finally established by the age of 15-16 and usually precedes the appearance of facial hair.

Muscle changes

During adolescence, boys grow quickly. Bone length increases and muscle mass increases. The shoulder bones and jaws grow much faster than the rest of the body, which determines the formation of a male figure. The maximum increase in muscle mass is observed a year after the onset of puberty. By the end of puberty, boys have twice as much muscle mass as girls of the same age.

Change in body odor

Inflammatory processes affect the skin of the face and other parts of the body

Under the influence of sex hormones, the composition of fatty acids that make up the structure of sweat changes. Sweating increases and a specific odor occurs. At the same time, there is an increased production of secretions by the sebaceous glands, which leads to an increase in oily skin. The addition of bacteria provokes the development of acne - inflammatory changes on the skin of the face, back, and other parts of the body. After puberty ends, acne goes away on its own in most boys. In some cases, specialist consultation and treatment are required.

Psychological changes during puberty

Hormonal changes affect not only body changes. Significant changes also occur in the mental state of the young man. At the age of about 12 years, there is a significant acceleration in the rate of brain growth, and significant changes in the endocrine system are also noted. Complex relationships between the hypothalamus and other endocrine glands create conditions for increased excitability of some subcortical structures, which leads to a restructuring of nervous activity in adolescents.

According to numerous studies, during the transition period boys experience:

• A decrease in concentration and memory at the beginning of adolescence and some improvement towards the end of puberty.
• Some decrease in mental performance at the age of 14-16 years.
• Disruption of inhibition processes and increased excitability of the central nervous system.

During the transition period, a real hormonal storm rages in the body of a teenager. Due to the rapid growth of the brain, its key structures do not always have time to be adequately supplied with blood, which also affects the mental activity of the young man and determines some aspects of his behavior. It is not surprising that the character of a young man changes. The severity of the changes may vary, but in most cases the following points are noted:

As a result of the restructuring of the body, the character of the boy changes

• Lack of self-confidence, shyness, low self-esteem (often compensated for by excessive aggression).
• Closedness, tendency to depression.
• Nervousness, excessive anxiety.
• Increased aggressiveness, including towards elders.
• Emotional lability. Mood swings and impulsivity are common among boys during puberty.
• Conflict, confrontation with the outside world.
• The emergence of sexual desire, interest in the opposite sex.

Issues of personal relationships are of particular importance for boys. Classmates from strange creatures from another planet suddenly turn into beautiful girls. There is a completely understandable interest in this area of ​​life. The first sexual experience also often occurs at this age. Is it any wonder that a young man’s behavior is constantly changing and almost never meets the expectations of his parents?

Factors influencing puberty

It is impossible to predict in advance when a boy's puberty will begin and how long it will last. The course of puberty is influenced by the following factors:

Precocious sexual development is said to occur when secondary sexual characteristics appear in boys under the age of 9 years. Delayed sexual development is noted if no changes occur at the age of 16 years or older. In any of these situations, you should consult a doctor and find the cause of such deviations.

Advice for parents: how to survive adolescence

Puberty is a difficult time not only for the teenager himself, but also for the people around him. It is difficult to love an awkward, mischievous and sometimes aggressive boy in the same way as a touching, fat-cheeked baby. The boy no longer lies quietly in diapers, hangs out with a construction set, and no longer amazes his parents with his ability to put words into sentences. He is gloomy and gloomy, dissatisfied with life and himself, and constantly provokes conflicts. It is not surprising that teenagers quite often have problems and misunderstandings with their parents, and these difficulties cannot be avoided even in the most loving family.

It is important for parents of a teenage boy to remember: a young man needs care and love no less than a baby, but it just needs to be expressed in a slightly different form. Excessive care for a young man will only harm him and become another annoying factor. Adults need to be there and make it clear with all their behavior that the child can count on them, no matter what happens. And at the same time, it is necessary to give the teenager the opportunity to express himself, self-actualize, find his place in life and take a certain position among his peers. Finding a balance between freedom and care is what is important for parents whose son has entered the difficult period of puberty.

During adolescence, it is important for parents to find a balance between freedom and care

Some tips:

1. Direct the young man's energy in a useful direction. Offer him an activity in which he will feel needed. This could be a part-time job in your free time, helping with a family business, playing sports or some hobby. It is important that the young person has the opportunity to choose, because acting under pressure is unlikely to be effective.
2. Give the young man personal space. Ideally, this should be a separate room where an adult will not barge in without warning. If this is not possible, you should at least fence off your teenager’s own corner in the common room. You should not encroach on his personal belongings or eavesdrop on conversations with friends. Total control will not promote a good relationship and will only turn your teenager against you.
3. Avoid unnecessary criticism. Remember that teenagers take everything very seriously, especially when it comes to appearance or relationships with girls. Express your dissatisfaction in the correct form and do not forget to praise your young man.
4. Be interested in his life. Unobtrusively ask how he is doing at school. Be aware of what he is interested in, what issues interest him. Don't meddle in your personal life, but also be completely aloof. This will help you not only become a trusted person for a teenager, but will also allow you to replace negative changes in time if the young man gets involved with bad company or gets into trouble.
5. Recognize him as a person. Allow the young man to realize his inclinations and choose his own path in life. Remember that he is not an extension of you, but an independent person, and has the right to his personal opinion. Allow him to make his mistakes and draw his own conclusions from what happened where it does not pose a serious danger to health and life.

Remember that adolescence does not last forever. Sooner or later, the awkward young man will become a grown man, and you will only have to remember this difficult, but fascinating time in its own way.

FAQ, or frequently asked questions

At what age is it time to worry about signs of physical changes?

It is worth talking about delayed sexual development if by the age of 15-16 the young man has not developed a single secondary sexual characteristic (growth of the genital organs, hair growth on the pubis, in the armpits, on the face, change in voice). In this situation, you should contact an andrologist.

At what age do boys stop growing?

Maximum growth is observed in boys aged 14-16 years. At this time, the young man almost reaches the final mark of his growth, but the process does not end there. Slow increases are observed up to 20-22 years (according to some data up to 25 years) - until the growth zones are completely closed.

Is it true that acne will “go away on its own” as soon as a young man begins to be sexually active?

This popular belief has no scientific basis. For most teenagers, acne goes away by the end of puberty, that is, by the age of 17-19, and the intensity of sexual activity does not affect this process in any way.

Are dietary changes necessary after adolescence?

A teenager's diet should be balanced in essential elements and vitamins. A teenager's diet should include red meat, fresh vegetables and fruits in season. Usually, during the transition period, boys develop an appetite, so there are no significant problems with this. It is only important to limit the share of fast food and fast carbohydrates so as not to provoke weight problems and metabolic disorders.

When will this nightmare end?

Everything passes, and this too will pass. By the age of 17-19, the hormonal storm subsides, and the young man enters a new stage of his life. By this age, secondary sexual characteristics reach their maximum development. The condition of the skin improves, acne goes away. The psycho-emotional state also normalizes at the end of adolescence.

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