The New Puberty: How to Navigate Early Development in Today’s Girls

A generation ago, fewer than 5 percent of girls started puberty before the age of 8; today, that percentage has more than doubled. Early puberty is not just a matter of physical transformation-it’s also deeply psychological, with a myriad of effects that can put a girl at higher risk for behavioral problems and long-term health challenges. In this reassuring and empowering guide, Louise Greenspan, MD, and Julianna Deardorff, PhD-two leading experts on the root causes and potential consequences of early puberty in girls-deliver vital advice on how to prevent and manage early puberty. They explain surprising triggers-from excess body fat to hormone-mimicking chemicals to emotional stressors in a girl’s home and family life-and offer highly practical strategies, including how to limit exposure to certain ingredients in personal care and household products, which foods to eat and which to avoid, ways to improve a child’s sleep routine to promote healthy biology, and more. The New Puberty is an engaging, urgently needed road map to helping young girls move forward with confidence, ensuring their future well-being.