"Delayed Puberty" is a catch-all phrase for medical conditions in which boys or girls fail to show signs of physical maturation by age fourteen. The clinical condition, Hypogonadism, refers to a lack of testosterone due to failure of the testes or pituitary gland due to trauma, disease or unknown factors. Klinefelter's Syndrome and Kallman's Syndrome are genetic conditions with similar symptoms and additional complications which may include anosmia (lack of smelling), infertility, mental retardation and/or other issues.
By age fourteen, boys normally exhibit some enlargement in their penis and testicles, while girls show an increase in the size of their breasts. These are called the primary sexual characteristics. Similarly, there is the appearance of pubic and facial hair, increased muscularity, as well as a deepening voice in boys. These are referred to as the secondary sexual characteristics.
When Hypogonadism is present, such as in this 1950's era photo of two seventeen year old boys with Klinefelter's Syndrome, testosterone in the body prevents the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics. Over time, long bones of the arms and legs continue to grow giving a long and lanky appearance. The pelvis and hips may swell. Body and facial hair are absent and the genital organs remain small. Gynecomastia, an enlargement of the breasts in males, may be present also. Over time, the bones may develop Osteoporosis due to the lack of testosterone.
Treatment of Delayed Puberty conditions requires the intervention of a special physician called an Endocrinologist and normally involves a lifetime of hormone replacement therapy.
(Photo from Recent Prog Horm Res 1958;14:255-324)
By age fourteen, boys normally exhibit some enlargement in their penis and testicles, while girls show an increase in the size of their breasts. These are called the primary sexual characteristics. Similarly, there is the appearance of pubic and facial hair, increased muscularity, as well as a deepening voice in boys. These are referred to as the secondary sexual characteristics.
When Hypogonadism is present, such as in this 1950's era photo of two seventeen year old boys with Klinefelter's Syndrome, testosterone in the body prevents the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics. Over time, long bones of the arms and legs continue to grow giving a long and lanky appearance. The pelvis and hips may swell. Body and facial hair are absent and the genital organs remain small. Gynecomastia, an enlargement of the breasts in males, may be present also. Over time, the bones may develop Osteoporosis due to the lack of testosterone.
Treatment of Delayed Puberty conditions requires the intervention of a special physician called an Endocrinologist and normally involves a lifetime of hormone replacement therapy.
(Photo from Recent Prog Horm Res 1958;14:255-324)
