Down syndrome Puberty

Down syndrome teenagers develop primary and secondary sexual characteristics at same age other normal kids.It may vary as in other normal cases too.Girls have pubic and armpit hairs before menarchy between 11 to 13 years when most of the girls start menstruating,while men may start ejaculating along with beard at the time of puberty.There have been very few cases when down men have fathered kids reason may be fertility or chances of not getting opportunity.Another reason speculated is poor muscle tone that may cause Erectile dysfunction.

 Average time and cycle in case of down girls remains same as that of normal girls but it can still differ as in other normal cases.Ovulation is also normal when fertility issue is concerned.It is found that they can conceive but offspring may be again a down syndrome in 50% of cases seen.On the contrary IVF these days has changed the terms completely via ova donations and test tube babies in children with disability and downs.

The important aspect is the mental growth which is not in coordination with physical growth.When body prepares for menarchy the child is not in mental condition to understand the physical changes in her,more depressed are the mothers to handle a situation like that. 

Adolescent counselors,psychiatrists,psychotherapists and most importantly mother or any female sibling are most comfortable counselors .Child has to be well explained,advised,guided and trained when such a situation comes and she has to be taken into confidence than instead to panic ,situation can be handled calmly.Fertility can be resolved but child care and sensitivity to understand and responsibility to bear a child can questioned.