At what age does a girl start getting pubic hair?
James Holden
Updated on January 04, 2026
In years past, girls typically began puberty at age 10 or 11. But a study published three years ago in the journal Pediatrics suggested that it's now normal for girls of 7 (if they're African-American) or 8 (if they're white) to have breast and pubic hair development.
Is it normal for a 9 year old to have pubic hair?
Hormonal basisIt is normal for production of these hormones to increase (something we call adrenarche) and for pubic hair to appear after age 8 in girls or 9 in boys. The reason why this increase occurs earlier in some children is not known.
What are the first signs of puberty in a girl?
When your daughter starts to go through puberty, her gonads (ovaries) and adrenal glands (glands that sit on top of the kidneys) release hormones. These hormones cause the first signs of puberty, which are breast development, body odor, underarm hair, pubic hair and acne (pimples).Why does my little girl have pubic hair?
During adrenarche, the adrenal glands, which sit on the kidneys, begin to churn out weak "male" hormones. That, in turn, can cause kids to develop some pubic hair, underarm hair and body odor. Those adrenal-related changes can happen in the absence of "true" puberty, Kohn explained.Should an 11 year old have pubic hair?
Growth and development.By 11 years, it's common for many kids to: Show some signs of puberty: In girls, puberty usually starts when they're between 8 and 13 with breast development and the appearance of pubic hair. Periods usually start about 2 years after breast development begins.