Introduction and Management of Puberty in Girls

Abstract

Background: Management of puberty in the hypogonadal girl remains controversial. Estrogens have profound effects on growth and development. Oral estrogens, the most widely used form, undergo first-pass metabolism in the liver and alter many aspects of hepatic function. Transdermal estrogens are not subject to first-pass metabolism and are effective at mimicking spontaneous pubertal estrogen levels resulting in normal pubertal development. Age-appropriate induction of puberty should be initiated at 12 to 13 years of age; delaying puberty any longer may compromise quality of life during adolescence. Estrogens should be started at a low dose, approximately one-tenth to one-eighth of the adult replacement dose, and then increased gradually over a period of 2 to 4 years. Generally, progestins are added after 2 years of estrogen therapy. With these treatment regimens, breast development typically proceeds at a normal pace; however, the effects on uterine dimensions are less clear. Concomitant treatment with oral dehydroepiandrosterone (or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) advances pubic hair development in the adolescent girl with panhypopituitarism. Conclusions: In the hypogonadal girl, puberty should be induced with very low doses of transdermal estradiol at 12 to 13 years of age with gradual dose escalations over 2 to 4 years. Combination estrogen/androgen therapy in girls with hypogonadism should be explored in future research.