Girls who are touched sexually at a young age hit puberty earlier than those who do not have sexual contact until later in life, a study has found.
The findings are part of a broader investigation to determine whether hormones or sexual experience trigger the onset of puberty.
Studying mice, German researchers found females who are touched on their genitals had changes their brain and puberty accelerated.
The researchers said the findings suggest sexual touch might have a bigger influence on puberty than previously thought.
And they warn it shows inappropriate sexual contact has a lasting impact on the brain.
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