My daughter has been in ballet since she was three years old. Last year around her 14th birthday, she started noticing that her left hip snaps during some of the ballet moves. Is there some kind of hormonal connection?

Snapping hip syndrome is a common problem among ballet dancers (males and females). Studies show that the cause of this snapping or popping sensation is the iliopsoas tendon rolling over the pelvic bone in front of the hip.

Since the iliopsoas is a hip flexor muscle, the snap or pop is most noticeable when the dancer is lifting the leg forward or out to the side. Many dancers recall the problem starting sometime between ages 14 and 16.

Since both boys and girls notice it, hormonal changes are not as likely as the fact that they have finally developed enough strength to lift the leg past 90 degrees. Experts don't know if this snapping will eventually lead to hip problems later in life. And it's clear that there isn't one treatment that works best for everyone.

Some dancers find that rest helps while others stretch the hip flexor muscles for relief of symptoms. More studies are needed to help sort out who's at risk and how to avoid this problem -- especially if it turns out to be the start of other problems later on.