"Menstruation at Five, Menopause at Eight": Extreme Early Puberty Caused by Rare Ovarian Tumor

2kg Tumor Discovered After Abdominal Pain; Rapid Physical Changes in Short Time
Mood Swings, Sleep Disturbances, and Facial Flushing?Symptoms of Menopause in a Child
Doctors: "Recurrence Possible Even After 10 to 30 Years... Ongoing Monitoring Needed"

A story reported by local media revealed that Aubrey Garrett (8), who lives in Cheshire, England, experienced symptoms of puberty just a few years after birth and eventually entered menopause.

Aubrey Garrett (8), who lives in Cheshire, England, experienced puberty symptoms just a few years after birth and eventually reached menopause, according to local media reports (photo used for illustrative purposes only and is unrelated to the article content). Pixabay

On December 5 (local time), the British media outlet Mirror reported that Aubrey began showing unusual symptoms around the age of five, complaining of sudden abdominal pain so severe that she would cry while holding her stomach.

Initially, her parents, concerned about appendicitis, took her to the hospital, but imaging tests revealed a mass in her ovary that appeared to be a tumor. While she was being referred to a larger pediatric hospital, Aubrey's body underwent rapid changes. She began menstruating, her breasts developed, and she experienced mood swings and increased scalp oiliness-all classic signs of puberty that appeared in a very short period of time.

Further detailed examinations showed that Aubrey's hormone levels were more than dozens of times higher than the normal range for her age group, exceeding 3,000. The tumor also grew from 6 cm to 26 cm in just three weeks, making it difficult to see her abdominal organs. The medical team diagnosed her with a rare tumor called "ovarian granulosa cell tumor."

During a major surgery that lasted seven hours, doctors had to remove a tumor weighing 2 kg, along with her ovary, fallopian tube, parts of her bladder and other organs, and some abdominal wall tissue. While the removal of the tumor eliminated the cancer cells, the loss of her ovary caused Aubrey to enter menopause at just five years old.

The drastic hormonal changes also placed a significant burden on her growing body. Her ligaments stretched rapidly at a puberty-like pace, but her bones could not keep up, resulting in leg pain. She also experienced menopausal symptoms typically seen in adult women, such as facial flushing and sleep disturbances.

Aubrey's mother said, "I will never forget the moment I had to teach my child how to use sanitary pads," adding, "Frequent mood changes make things difficult for her as well." The family is currently continuing treatment and recovery with the support of a local charity.

Granulosa cell tumors tend to grow relatively slowly, but they have a long recurrence cycle, with cases reported of recurrence more than 10 years after the initial diagnosis. Some studies have even confirmed recurrences occurring 30 years after diagnosis, making long-term follow-up essential.

Such extremely early-onset puberty has shocked the world before.

In 1939, in Peru, a five-year-old girl named Lina Medina gave birth via cesarean section, a case officially recorded in medical history. Initially, doctors suspected her abdominal swelling was due to a tumor, but tests revealed she was already seven months pregnant. Her first menstruation was also recorded as occurring at just eight months old.

According to domestic standards, precocious puberty is defined as the development of secondary sexual characteristics before age eight in girls and before age nine in boys. If not treated early, the growth plates may close prematurely, resulting in shorter final height, and physical differences from peers can often lead to psychological distress and emotional issues. Some studies have also reported that the earlier the onset of menstruation, the higher the risk of adult breast cancer.