LHM Youth Lifestyle Information – Puberty

As we get older our body changes, and this can lead to questions or even comparing yourself to your friends. Having half a working heart can impact your puberty. You can read our short eBook on puberty here or for more info keep scrolling.

Does puberty impact my growth?

You may notice that your friends and family are growing a little faster than you or that sometimes you feel like one of the smallest people in the room. Don’t worry when puberty starts it can be different for everyone!

Teenagers with complex hearts may start puberty later, but it will happen. You do not wake up one morning and suddenly puberty has hit you all at once, it happens slowly.

Why?

Well, it takes a lot of energy to go through puberty and your heart is already working twice as hard as most peoples. It’s not surprising that because of this it might take a bit longer for your puberty to start.

I’m smaller than all my friends!

We know that sometimes seeing your friends getting taller, building muscle mass and developing can be difficult if you feel you’re falling behind.

Waiting for puberty to kick in can get frustrating. It is good to remember that you are not alone, and this happens to a lot of young people with half a working heart. Every single person is different, and we all move at our own pace.

However, if you’re worried about your delayed puberty or being a lot smaller than your friends it’s okay to bring this up in your next cardiac appointment.  Your team at the hospital are there to support and offer advice so use them.

I have started my period; it is so heavy.

When girls go through puberty they start their period. We learn the ins and out of the menstrual cycle at school, but it is good to know what could be different if you have half a working heart.

Most young people with half a working heart have to take a blood thinning tablet every day to help with their circulation. This usually comes in the form of warfarin or aspirin depending on what your hospital team prescribes for you. Because you take this medication you may experience a very heavy period. Your ‘flow’ might be much heavier than your friends. You may also find that your periods last a bit longer too.

Some girls with much heavier or longer periods find that using different methods for heavier flows such as period pants and ultra sanitary pads enables them to live comfortably but if you are struggling to manage a heavier or longer period it is a good idea for your parent/guardian or you to call you cardiac liaison/specialist  nurse as they might be able to help with forms of contraception to help reduce blood flow. Do not take any forms of contraceptive pill without talking to your cardiac team.