Puberty Center - Penn Hills, PA
Penn Hills Pediatrician Doctors for PubertyType of Physician: Pediatrician What is a Pediatrician? A certification by the Board of Pediatrics; practitioners are concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Pediatric care encompasses a wide range of health services, from preventive health care to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. The pediatrician understands the constantly changing status of his/her patients due to growth and development, and the consequent changing standards of "normal" for age. Specialty: Pediatrics Common Name: Children's Doctor Pediatrician Doctors in Penn Hills * Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Children's Community Pediatrics Russellton  Children's Community Pediatrics Russellton  Children's Community Pediatrics Russellton  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Paul E Antalik MD  Wilkensburg Family Health Center  Wilkensburg Family Health Center  Alma Illery Health Center  Alma Illery Health Center  McKeesport Family Health Center  Children's Community Pediatrics Gil  Children's Community Pediatrics Gil  Children's Community Pediatrics Gil  Children's Community Pediatrics Gil  Children's Community Pediatrics Gil  Children's Community Pediatrics Gil  Children's Community Pediatrics Gil  Children's Community Pediatrics Gil  Allen Hodges MD  Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates  Monroeville Pediatrics  East Side Pediatrics  Monroeville Pediatrics  Children's At Turtle Creek  Monroeville Pediatrics  Monroeville Pediatrics  Children's Institute  Children's Institute  Children's Institute  Children's Institute  Carrnegie Pediatrics  Bass Wolfson Pediatrics  Bass Wolfson Pediatrics  Bass Wolfson Pediatrics  Bass Wolfson Pediatrics  Bass Wolfson Pediatrics  Bass Wolfson Pediatrics  Bass Wolfson Pediatrics  Sterling Pediatrics  Children's Community Care  Children's Community Care  Children's Community Care  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Penn Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Childrens Community Pediatrics  Renaissance Family Practice Glenshaw Division  University of Pittsburgh Physicians  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Ear Nose & Throat  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  University of Pittsburgh Physicians  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  Barbara McNulty MD  Barbara McNulty MD  Pediatric Alliance Southwestern Division  Pediatric Alliance Southwestern Division  Pediatric Alliance Southwestern Division  Pediatric Alliance Southwestern Division  Pediatric Alliance Southwestern Division  Mercy Health Center Pediatric Clinic  Diagnostic Referral Service  Diagnostic Referral Service  Diagnostic Referral Service  Diagnostic Referral Service  Diagnostic Referral Service  Diagnostic Referral Service  Diagnostic Referral Service  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Neurology Penn Hills, PennsylvaniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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PubertyWhat is puberty?Puberty is the time at which a growing boy or girl begins the process of sexual maturation. Puberty involves a series of physical stages or steps that lead to the achievement of fertility and the development of the so-called secondary sex characteristics, the physical features associated with adult males and females (such as the growth of pubic hair). While puberty involves a series of biological, or physical, transformations, the process can also have an effect on the psychosocial and emotional development of the adolescent. When does puberty occur?The onset of puberty varies among individuals. Puberty usually occurs in girls between the ages of 10 and 14, while in boys it generally occurs later, between the ages of 12 and 16. In some African American girls, puberty begins earlier, at about age 9, meaning that puberty occurs from ages 9 to 14. Adolescent girls reach puberty today at earlier ages than were ever recorded previously. Nutritional and other environmental influences may be responsible for this change. For example, the average age of the onset of menstrual periods in girls was 15 in 1900. By the 1990s, this average had dropped to 12 and a half years of age.
What determines when puberty begins?The timing of the onset of puberty is not completely understood and is likely determined by a number of factors. One theory proposes that reaching a critical weight or body composition may play a role in the onset of puberty. It has been proposed that the increase in childhood obesity may be related to the overall earlier onset of puberty in the general population in recent years. Leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells (adipocytes) in the body, has been suggested as a possible mediator of the timing of puberty. In studies, animals deficient in leptin did not undergo puberty, but puberty began when leptin was admin... Recommended Reading Related to PubertyCauses of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Improper Brushing TechniqueIn your quest to keep your teeth clean, you might be tempted to brush your teeth as vigorously as you can. Your gums are made of sensitive tissue, though, so brushing the wrong way could damage them. Whether you opt for a manual or electric toothbrush, choose one with soft nylon bristles that have blunted ends. Even though you can find brushes with medium or hard bristles, they may damage the enamel on your teeth or cause red and swollen gums. When you brush, make sure you use gentle, circular motions to massage and clean the teeth and gums. While many people use a back-and-forth motion, this motion can actually irritate and damage your gums, making them sore and more likely to bleed or recede. Causes of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Improper Flossing TechniqueWe all know the importance of flossing every day to help remove pla... Other Related Puberty ArticlesEmergency Contact for Penn Hills
Nearby Penn Hills Hospitals *HEALTHSOUTH Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital UPMC St Margaret VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh Main Campus Transitional Infant Care Hospital The Children's Institute UPMC Shadyside Western Pennsylvania Hospital UPMC Braddock The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC Presbyterian Magee-Womens Hospital UPMC Mercy UPMC Southside Allegheny General Hospital Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh North Shore Alle-Kiski Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital McKeesport UPMC McKeesport UPMC Passavant Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh North Campus Jefferson Regional Medical Center Ohio Valley General Hospital St Clair Hospital Westmoreland Excela Health Hospital at Jeannette Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital UPMC Passavant Cranberry Mayview State Hospital Southwood Psychiatric Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley Westmoreland Regional Hospital Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh Monongahela Valley Hospital Butler Memorial Hospital Canonsburg General Hospital ACMH Hospital Butler VA Medical Center Latrobe Area Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Greensburg Frick Hospital Kindred Hospital at Heritage Valley Medical Center of Beaver Torrance State Hospital The Washington Hospital Ellwood City Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Puberty by Our Doctors
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Cystic Fibrosis
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
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Gum Disease
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs)
- Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
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Turner Syndrome
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Gilbert Syndrome
- Gilbert syndrome is a benign genetic condition that causes abnormal breakdown of bilirubin, a compound that is formed when hemoglobin from red blood cells degrades. Elevated bilirubin can cause, jaundice, which is yellowing of the eyes. Gilbert syndrome does not need to be treated and has a good prognosis.
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Anemia
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Fracture
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Poland Syndrome
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Alpha Thalassemia
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Breast
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Scoliosis
- Scoliosis causes an abnormal curvature of the spine. When the cause of scoliosis is unknown the disorder is described based on the age when the scoliosis develops (infantile, juvenile, or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis). In functional scoliosis, curvature develops due to a problem somewhere else in the body. With neuromuscular scoliosis, there is a problem when the bones of the spine are formed. Treatment typically involves observation, bracing, and surgery and is dependent upon the severity of the curvature.
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Hair Loss
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Men (STDs in Men)
- Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
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Sprains and Strains
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Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
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Sexual Health
- Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy (STDs)
- When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.
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Myopia
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Prader-Willi Syndrome
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Steroid Abuse
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Gum Problems
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Masturbation
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Gynecomastia
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Lymphedema
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