ABSTRACT
Onset of puberty, as defined by breast stage 2, appears to be starting at younger ages since the 1940s. There is an ongoing controversy regarding what is normative, as well as what is normal, and the evaluation that is deemed necessary for girls maturing before 8 years of age. There are potential implications of earlier pubertal timing, including psychosocial consequences during adolescence, as well as longer term risks, such as breast cancer and cardiometabolic risks. There are additional consequences derived from slower pubertal tempo, for age of menarche has not decreased as much as age of breast development; these include longer interval between sexual initiation and intentional childbearing, as well as a broadened window of susceptibility to endocrine-related cancers.
