Question

What is puberty? What changes occurs with puberty?

Answer 1

Puberty – it's a crazy time. Your body's changing, and so is everything else. But, what is causing all these changes?

You know how everyone says that puberty is all about raging hormones? It's kind of true. Hormones that were hibernating suddenly awaken and signal your body to enter puberty. You might think this doesn't mean a lot, but hormones cause the changes that are associated with puberty.
•Timing of Puberty
•Breasts
•Pubic Hair
•Growing
•Acne

Timing of Puberty

Puberty starts at different times and lasts for different periods of time for everyone. It can start as early as 8 years of age to as late as 13 years of age. The sequence of puberty – from breast development to complete physical maturation – may take a year and a half or last as long as 6 years.

This is sometimes very difficult for girls as some of their peers may have entered and completed puberty before they have even started. However, there is no way to slow or speed up the process, but puberty happens to everyone, so never fear, it will happen to you!

You may have heard that girls mature more quickly than guys, and that is somewhat true, since girls usually enter puberty about 2 years earlier than boys.

Below is a general time line for physical changes that occur during puberty (for girls):



Puberty Event Age at which it happens
Growth of breasts 8-13
Growth of pubic hair 8-14
Body Growth 9 1/2-14 1/2
First Period 10-16 1/2
Underarm Hair 2 years after pubic hair shows up
Acne Around the same time as underarm hair


Remember, puberty is not the same for everyone, so some girls will grow pubic hair before they develop breasts, and that is absolutely normal.

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More Information on Each Physical Change

Breasts

Breast development begins between 8 years of age and 13 years of age and continues through puberty.

Breast development starts with the flat area around the nipple (areola) becoming enlarged and some breast tissue forming under the nipple. When breast development is complete, each breast is distinct and the areola no longer appears swollen.

Breast size varies from woman to woman, and there is no way to try to make your breasts larger or smaller other than going through plastic surgery, which is not always a very safe or healthy alternative.

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Pubic Hair

Pubic hair starts along the vaginal lips, the outer opening of your private parts. The hair becomes darker and coarser and grows like an inverted triangle. Sometimes, the hair spreads to the insides of thighs, as well.

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Growing

Puberty also causes you to go through a growth spurt, which results in an average growth of about 3.5 inches a year.

Your head, hands, and feet are the first things to grow. Then you grow in your arms and legs, and finally your torso and shoulders catch up with the rest of your body.

If it's any consolation, everyone goes through that awkward phase, so you are not alone! Height growth is, of course, accompanied by an increase in weight.

This weight gain is perfectly normal and a part of puberty. Without gaining this weight, you cannot grow taller, develop breasts, or get your first period.

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Acne

Finally, underarm hair begins to grow, and your sweat and oil producing glands also start developing, which eventually results in acne when these glands are clogged.

In order to avoid breakouts, you should wash your face twice daily. If you still regularly break out, you may want to speak to a dermatologist

Answer 2

Puberty: Changes for Males


Puberty – it's a crazy time. Your body's changing, and so is everything else. But, what is causing all these changes? Well, you know how everyone says that puberty is all about raging hormones; it's kind of true.

Hormones that were hibernating suddenly awaken and signal your body to enter puberty. You might think this doesn't mean a lot but, hormones cause the changes that are associated with puberty.
•Timing of Puberty
•Genitalia & Pubic Hair
•Growing
•Possible Breast Development
•Voice Change
•Body Hair
•Acne

Timing of Puberty

Puberty starts at different times and lasts for different periods of time for everyone. It can start as early as 9 years of age to as late as 13 1/2 years of age. The sequence of pubertal development usually ranges from 2 to 5 years.

This is sometimes very difficult, as some of your peers may have entered and completed puberty before you have even started. There is no way to slow or speed up the process, but puberty happens to everyone, so never fear, it will happen to you!

Below is a general time line for physical changes that occur during puberty (for boys):



Puberty Event Age at which it happens
Growth of testicles & scrotal sac 10-13 1/2
Growth of pubic hair 10-15
Body Growth 10 1/2 -16 1/2
Growth of penis 11-14 1/2
Change in voice About the same time as penis growth

Facial & Underarm Hair About 2 years after pubic hair appears
Acne About the same time as underarm hair appears

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More Information on Each Physical Change

Genitalia & Pubic Hair

In the early stages of puberty, the scrotum grows larger and you might experience some reddening of the skin and notice texture change in the scrotal skin. Pubic hair might start appearing at the base of your penis.

While the scrotum grows, the penis increases in length and has a smaller increase in width. About a year after your penis starts growing, most boys have their first ejaculation. This is at times scary or worrisome to boys, but it is perfectly natural and a part of the pubertal process.

At the same time, you might also be noticing that more pubic hair is growing and that it is becoming darker, coarser, and curlier. The penis continues to grow, and the head of the penis develops. The scrotal skin gets darker and the scrotum also continues to grow.

When the penis is fully developed, pubic hair will have grown like an upside down triangle around your penis and will probably have spread to your thighs as well. There is no healthy or natural way to increase penis size, and it is true: size does not matter.

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Growing

Puberty can also cause you to go through a growth spurt, which results in an average growth of about 4.1 inches a year. Your head, hands, and feet are the first things to grow. Then you grow in your arms and legs, and finally your torso and shoulders catch up with the rest of your body.

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Possible Breast Development

During puberty, some boys do experience slight breast growth, but this is usually temporary and disappears after a while. However, if it does not disappear after puberty and continues to worry you, you might want to consult your doctor about it.

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Voice Change

Your voice deepens, and while the process is gradual, you might experience your voice breaking at times. This is normal and natural, so don't worry about it.

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Body Hair

Facial hair first appears at the corners of your upper lip and then spreads across the upper lip, to the upper parts of the cheek, below the bottom lip, and finally to the sides of your face and your chin. Underarm hair is also growing at this time as well.

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Acne

Accompanying underarm hair growth, your sweat and oil producing glands also start developing, which eventually results in acne when these glands are clogged. In order to avoid breakouts, you should wash your face twice daily. If you still regularly break out, you may want to speak with a dermatologist.

Answer 3

Puberty is the change in hormonal development that occurs around ages 9-15. Body hair grows, menstruation starts in females along with breast development, voices deepen in males, and many growth spurts occur. Reproductive organs become active, allowing the body to be able to engage in sexual activity with the chance of conception. Ovulation starts in females, while sperm production starts in males, causing menstrual cycles and erections respectively.