"Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent · Stephanie Greunke, RD and Dr. Elana Roumell, ND

What Moms Need to Know About Puberty and Mood Swings in Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson

·1 hr 6 min·5 clips

Dr. Cara advises parents to narrate their nervousness to make puberty talks less awkward and more open.

This episode of the "Doctor Mom" podcast features host Dr. Ilana Rommel interviewing pediatrician and bestselling author Dr. Cara Natterson about puberty in boys. Dr. Natterson is a leading voice in adolescent health and co-author of the book "This Is So Awkward." She explains that puberty now starts earlier, with boys entering it on average between ages nine and ten. The first physical sign is often the enlargement of the testicles, which can be private and go unnoticed by parents. Dr. Natterson notes that 72% of Black boys are in puberty by age ten, a trend she links to social stressors and elevated cortisol rather than race alone. She describes how testosterone fluctuations affect boys' moods, commonly leading to expressions of rage, anger, frustration, or silence. The conversation provides strategies for parents, like using a code word for emotional overwhelm and allowing a child's brain to "cool down" before discussing an outburst. Dr. Natterson shares a personal tactic of talking to her son at bedtime with the lights off or while sitting on his bed without eye contact. She emphasizes that pediatricians may not always initiate puberty conversations, so parents should proactively ask during exams. A surprising insight is that early puberty's onset is linked to zip code and social pressures more than genetics. Dr. Natterson also highlights the challenge of navigating a boy's silent withdrawal, which she argues is a chemical response needing parental patience. The tone is conversational, supportive, and educational, blending professional expertise with relatable parenting anecdotes. This episode is ideal for parents of boys approaching or in puberty who seek practical, science-backed communication strategies. Listeners who prefer brief, non-anecdotal advice or who are not currently parenting children in this age range might find it less immediately relevant.

As heard by us

A plain-language take on testosterone-driven mood shifts in boys, with a caveat about the silence claim.

This episode keeps the focus on boys' puberty and the way testosterone can shape mood. It explains that hormone levels rise and fall, which can leave the brain cycling through high and low doses and, on average, push boys toward rage, anger, frustration, or silence.

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Why you'd press play

A steadier way to make sense of puberty mood swings.

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