When Hormones Knock Early: Early Puberty in Girls and Supporting My 11-Year-Old Through Her First Changes
- Amani AbouAmmo
- Dec 4, 2025
- 4 min read
I’ve always known that my daughter’s path would be unique. M is 11 now—bright, strong-willed, blind, and full of personality. Lately, though, something new has been stirring. As I’ve learned more about early puberty in girls, many of her recent changes make more sense. She’s become more irritable, easily upset, and resistant to her teachers. She rubs her eyes when frustrated, hits or yells when overwhelmed, and sometimes retreats into thumb-sucking—the comfort of her younger years.
At first, I assumed it was stress or fatigue. But then I noticed small bumps forming on her forehead and chin, and a faint body odor under her arms. That’s when the thought struck me: could this be the beginning of hormonal changes?
When Biology Meets Sensitivity
Even before a girl’s first period, hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and adrenal androgens begin shifting quietly inside the body. These changes can influence mood, energy, and skin long before menstruation starts. For children with multiple disabilities or sensory challenges, this internal turbulence can be confusing—they feel the changes but can’t easily express them.
M’s teachers recently spoke to me about her increased anxiety, resistance, and distress during school activities. They see the frustration; they see her struggling to regulate. What they didn’t see—what none of us did at first—is that her body may be quietly preparing for puberty.
Understanding this helps me reshape the story: her aggression isn’t rebellion; it’s a cry for balance and understanding. It’s her body’s way of saying, “Something feels different, and I don’t know why.”
Drawing on My Training and Intuition
With my background as a certified aromatherapist, Bach Flower Remedy practitioner, and organic hair and skincare formulator, I turned to the world I know best—nature, gentle energetics, and the chemistry of comfort.
I began combining my knowledge with maternal instinct: studying the emotional patterns behind her behavior, researching child-safe supplements, and exploring natural ways to help her body and mind stay steady.
I’m still in what I call the experimental phase—watching, adjusting, and learning daily. What I share below is the foundation I’m building, and I’ll continue to update it as we move through this journey.
The Holistic Foundation I'm Building
1. Bach Flower Remedy Emotional Blend
To bring emotional steadiness and ease transitions, I created a Bach blend with:
Walnut – for protection from internal and external change
Impatiens – to ease frustration and impatience
Cherry Plum – to calm emotional intensity
Star of Bethlehem – to comfort the nervous system
Gentian – to lift discouragement
Holly – to soften anger and reconnect with warmth
I give her four drops up to four times daily—in water or applied gently to her wrists. It helps her find an anchor when everything inside feels uncertain.
2. Nutritional & Supplemental Support (Research Phase)
Through my research, I’m exploring safe supports that nurture both hormones and mood:
Flaxseed oil (½ tsp daily): a natural source of omega-3s for hormonal steadiness.
Evening Primrose Oil (500 mg every other day): balances early estrogen changes and supports skin.
Magnesium glycinate (100–200 mg in the evening): relaxes the nervous system and promotes sleep.
Vitamin D + K₂ and B-Complex: maintain energy and support neurotransmitters.
Each is being introduced gradually, always observing her response.
3. Skin & Body Care for Early Hormonal Signs
Her new bumps are gentle reminders of what’s brewing inside. I’ve been cleansing her skin with alcohol-free toner made from witch hazel, aloe, and cucumber hydrosol, followed by a cream serum with Albizia Flower and Lavender essential oil for soothing.
For the new under-arm odor, a mild natural deodorant with magnesium hydroxide and lavender hydrosol keeps her comfortable and fresh.
4. Aromatherapy for Emotional Grounding
In the evening, I diffuse:
Clary Sage – for hormonal balance and calm
Roman Chamomile – for relaxation
Geranium Rose – for emotional harmony
Sometimes I apply a tiny blend (1 drop each in jojoba oil) behind her ears or over her heart as a reassurance cue before bed.
🌷 Our Gentle Daily Rhythm
Morning: Supplements, flower drops, and familiar sounds instead of abrupt instructions.
Midday: Calming touch, hydration, and the second flower dose before therapy.
Evening: Warm compress over the liver area, magnesium, diffuser on, soft voice: “You’re safe. Your body is growing beautifully. I’m here.”
Communicating With Her Teachers—and With Her 🫶
Now that I better understand what’s happening, my next step is to talk with her teachers so they see the full picture. Her anxiety isn’t defiance—it’s transition. When educators understand this, they can adjust tone, rhythm, and expectations to help her feel secure again.
And with M herself, I’ll begin gently naming what’s happening. Simple, sensory language—something she can grasp:
“Your body is growing and changing. Sometimes it feels strange or uncomfortable, but it’s part of you getting stronger.”
Even if she can’t fully understand the concept, she will feel the calm truth in my tone—and that’s what matters most.
Closing Thoughts 💖
Puberty often whispers through the skin, emotions, and energy long before the first visible sign. For a child like M, those whispers can sound like storms. My role is to decode those signals, meet them with empathy, and translate biology into safety and love.
I’m still exploring, still learning, still adjusting our routine. I’ll continue to update this space as we find what works best—for her body, her mind, and her peace.
Because every child, no matter their challenges, deserves to enter each new stage of life surrounded by understanding, gentleness, and grace.
Have you experienced something similar with your child? Share your story below—I’d love to hear from you.
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