Height increases most before menstruation begins. Delayed Sexual Maturation Delayed sexual maturation is a delay in sexual development. Some adolescents don't start their sexual development at the usual age. In such adolescents, the growth rate before puberty is usually normal. Although the growth spurt and sexual maturation are delayed, they eventually proceed normally.
Various abnormalities can delay or prevent sexual development.
Other genetic disorders can affect hormone production. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and cystic fibrosis, can also delay sexual maturation. In girls, the symptoms are lack of breast development by age 13, more than 5 years from the beginning of breast growth to the first menstrual period, lack of pubic hair by age 14, or failure to menstruate by age 16. To help determine why sexual maturation is delayed, a doctor takes a sample of blood, and in some cases, a chromosomal analysis may be performed. Laboratory tests of these samples may identify abnormal sex chromosomes and hormone levels.