Patient's question:
Man has little beardDoctor's answer:
Beard is an expression of male secondary sexual characteristics. The appearance of secondary sexual characteristics is triggered by the androgens secreted by the testes after a boy enters puberty. Before the age of 11, boys have very little androgens in their bodies, and the physical differences between males and females are not significant. The onset of puberty in boys does not have strict time boundaries, generally occurring between the ages of 10 and 14. The first sign of puberty in boys is the enlargement of the testes and scrotum. As the testes gradually mature, they begin to produce sperm and androgens. Under the influence of androgens, male reproductive organs develop rapidly, and secondary sexual characteristics appear, such as a robust body shape, well-developed muscles, broad shoulders, narrow hips, facial hair, a prominent Adam's apple, and a deep voice. The growth of a beard in men is a result of androgen activity. The appearance and pattern of a man's beard also develop over time. Only when puberty ends and sexual maturity is reached do androgens in a man's body reach normal adult levels, and the beard becomes denser, resembling an adult's. In healthy men, androgen levels are generally consistent, but the amount of facial hair varies greatly from person to person. Some have thick beards, while others have sparse ones; some have a full beard, while others have a goatee—these are all normal variations. The amount and shape of facial hair are related to ethnicity and family genetics, which is normal and should not cause any concern. Whether a man lacks a beard is a pathological condition that needs to be judged in the context of overall physical development. If a man has no beard but his reproductive organs and the aforementioned secondary sexual characteristics are developing normally, it is not considered a pathological condition. The age at which a boy starts growing a beard is not entirely the same; some start earlier, while others start later, and both are normal—there is no need to worry. If a boy has entered puberty but has not yet grown a beard and shows no obvious secondary sexual characteristics, or if he still has not developed after puberty, this should be considered abnormal. It may be due to a problem with gonadotropins, which regulate and control the secretion of sex hormones, and requires medical examination and treatment.