A Couple of Problems Regarding Puberty
 

Ok, so, as the title says, I have a couple of problems regarding myself and puberty. I'll start with the less embarrassing of the two.

First, my body hair seems a little... funky. I mean I'm 18, yet there's no body hair where there should be in spots. At the same time, though, I'm a pretty hairy individual. It's confusing. My face for example, if you look at the pictures I have posted in my gallery here, you'll see that I have plenty of hair under and on my chin, yet there's nothing on my cheeks or above my lips. My legs also have plenty of hair, yet there are several spots with little or even no hair at all. There are also a few other places over my body like this as well.

Second, I'm pretty sure my, uh... genital area is below average (whatever that is, I've heard around 6 inches). Granted I am overweight, so that has something to do with it. I'm guessing I would only be a little over 4 inches erect if I were at a healthy weight judging by how much fat seems to be down there. But it's not just my penis, I think my testicles could be on the smaller side as well.

To me, it just seems as if puberty stopped midway through. I mean everything has been like this since I was at least 15. I'm not sure if these things that I feel are problems mean that anything is actually medically wrong with me or not, that's why I'm seeking the advice of all of you. I've looked into all of this before and came to a conclusion that I possibly had a testosterone deficiency. I've heard that there is a link between a testosterone deficiency and being overweight, and I did gain a lot of weight around the age of 14 or 15. Could that maybe be a possibility?

I would appreciate any help I can get. Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

- Trysten

Re: A Couple of Problems Regarding Puberty
 

You should probably go see a doctor about that. If there is a problem, Im sure they can correct it :)

Re: A Couple of Problems Regarding Puberty
 

Body hair varies genetically, and will appear darker as you get older. You aren't done growing yet. Your hormones will also continue to vary as you get into your early 20's which will also [increase] body hair (most likely).

You may have a testosterone deficiency, but as you have developed body hair, it does seem unlikely. Your weight is very likely to have an influence on your testosterone levels. As does diet and the amount of exercise you do, and the amount of muscle, to an extent. I suggest you talk to a doctor though, I'm merely making educated guesses. A doctor will you give you more solid advice than anyone here could.

Re: A Couple of Problems Regarding Puberty
 

Alright, well thank you both for your replies. They are very much appreciated. :) I'll have a most likely awkward talk (lol) with my parents later and have myself an appointment made with a doctor.

If anyone else has anything else to say, you're more than welcome to reply as well.

EDIT: Awkward talk over, I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow. Let's see what he has to say...

- Trysten :)

Re: A Couple of Problems Regarding Puberty
 

Hi Trysten!! :smile

I hope you're having a dandy day!!

Unless you left something out - you sound like a regular guy to me!! [And you look like a regular guy too!!] And just so you know - the average erect penis is just over FIVE inches long. As for HOW to properly measure yourself - if you press in the area that is covered by your pubic hairs [An area often referred to as the 'fat pad' - whether or not there is very much fat there!] you will feel your pubic bone. THAT is where you start to measure your penis from. Don't press too hard on that bone - just enough to make contact. Measure from that bone - along the top of your penis [The part of the penis YOU can see when looking down at it] to the tip. If you do that when you have an erection - you will soon discover your actual size. But keep in mind - the term 'average size' does NOT mean 'minimum requirement'. LOTS and LOTS of guys with penises that are smaller than the average size are having LOTS and LOTS of sex!! And the people they're having sex with are enjoying themselves too!!! :grin:

As far as your body hair is concerned - everything sounds A-OK. In other words - THAT is just how you were made!! We sometimes get this idea that we should have this or should be like that. When what we should be thinking is, "This is how I AM - and that's fine with me!!"

BUT...... IF you think you might like to have your testosterone levels checked out - there is nothing wrong with doing that. But don't get your hopes up. It's very unlikely that a doctor will give you a pill and the next thing you know - you're legally changing your name to 'Trystosterone' and becoming a porn star!!

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!! :smile

Re: A Couple of Problems Regarding Puberty
 

Hey Craig, :)

First off, I just want to say thank you. I've seen many of your posts before and you seem like a sweet, caring and very knowledgeable person. I appreciate it and I'm sure the rest of TH.org does as well. :)

Secondly, I think the only thing I left out is that I have severe anxiety issues, which is probably my true problem. But I was never fully aware on how to measure, so thank you for that information. Next time I have an erection I'll be sure to try and measure correctly and see how the numbers turn out.

As for the body hair, the thing that confuses and worries me most is that half of my left leg is pretty much bald. That just never struck me as normal, y'know? That as well as my face. The only hair on my cheeks and upper lip is peach fuzz with the exception of a few stray hairs. What worries me there is that I've had hair under my chin since about a month before I turned 14, so I just figured it all would've come in by now.

But you very well could be right on the matter that it could just be how I was made. I just think I would have peace of mind seeing a doctor, though, so I think I'm going to go ahead and do that tomorrow. I'll report back and let you all know what the doctor has to say.

Thanks again for your post, Craig!

On a side note, maybe I should go check out the Kinsey Institute. I live in the same town that it's in, it might prove to be informing and helpful...

EDIT: Never mind about the appointment with the doctor, it's not happening. It's ok, though, CompassionateSoul is correct regarding the hormones and body hair and Craig, as I said, could very well be correct on this just being how my body is. And I checked the numbers regarding my penis again and everything is closer to average than I thought, so I'm not so worried over it anymore. If nothing has changed in terms of the body hair and I'm still worried over it a long while from now, I may go see a doctor. Until then, I'll just chill over it. Thanks again for all of your replies everyone. :)

- Trysten :)

Re: A Couple of Problems Regarding Puberty
 

Hi Trysten!! :smile

Boy am I glad I took the time to reread this message thread. Otherwise I might have missed your 'EDIT'.

I'm glad to hear that you're not so worried over it anymore. Just hearing that - and knowing that - made me feel a whole lot better. AND I'm glad to hear that everything in the 'private parts department' is OK after all!! [It always was OK - but now YOU know it too!!]

Just so you know - I have suffered with anxiety problems for most of my life. It's not fun - that's for sure. What I suffer from most of all is something I call 'anticipatory anxiety'. I am often crippled with worry about what MIGHT happen. This - of course - all comes from the fact that I grew up in a very dysfunctional family where the next awful moment was assured - but you never knew what was going to happen or when it was going to happen. [My dad was far too often an emotionally abusive alcoholic and I was bullied a lot at school and so on] I'm telling you all of this just in case you might want to talk to me about what you are going through. If you do - feel free to pm me anytime about anything. OK?! :smile

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!! :hug:

Re: A Couple of Problems Regarding Puberty
 

The "average size" is officially 5.5 inches. I would guess that the standard deviation is about 1 inch.