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Puberty
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Males and females have significant differences even during infancy. Both the appearance and behavior of boys and girls initially have distinctive features. During puberty, these differences become more noticeable and significant.
At first, they are determined only by genetically determined features, and in the transitional period, by sex hormones, which begin to affect the body at this time. During puberty, serious changes in behavior and appearance occur in both girls and boys. These changes are a necessary process for procreation, since their consequence is the ability to reproduce offspring. Sex hormones, becoming active during this period, stimulate the development of secondary sexual characteristics, a change in the character of the teenager. The maturing child becomes irritable, impudent, impressionable, and develops sexual attraction to the opposite sex. The desire to please representatives of the opposite sex makes the teenager pay more attention to his appearance, and react more acutely to changes in his body. At this moment, more than ever, a maturing person needs the understanding and support of adults.
Characteristics of the puberty period
The characteristics of the puberty period differ in boys and girls, but this stage of life is based on a single mechanism. Normally, the process of physical and sexual development occurs synchronously.
The first signs of puberty occur with the appearance of pigmentation of the external genitalia, the appearance of hair in the pubic area, armpits. In girls, puberty occurs somewhat faster than in boys, on average by 2 years.
At the same time, changes in the behavior of teenagers occur, because all physiological changes in the body cause quite justified fear. Many teenagers begin to think that something is wrong with them, and at the same time, interest in the opposite sex arises, and at such moments, you need to be stoic about the child's behavior, morally support him. The psyche of a growing boy or girl is very susceptible during this period to any comments, criticism, and if the child understands that he is different from his peers, friends, he begins to seriously think about his own inferiority. At this stage, parents should do everything possible to explain that puberty is an uncontrollable process and changes can occur a little earlier or later than in others, since each person, each organism is individual.
Puberty in boys
The period of puberty in boys occurs in several periods and lasts for more than one year. Puberty in boys is characterized by the onset of hormonal maturity of the sex glands, occurs at about eleven years of age, in adolescence (13-18 years) puberty reaches its peak. After eighteen to nineteen years, the period of puberty begins.
During puberty, or as it is commonly called, the period of sexual maturation, boys develop secondary sexual characteristics and the sexual organs are formed, and the full function of the sex glands is established. The processes of maturation in the male body mainly occur under the influence of testosterone. At first, the testicles, which are responsible for the production of hormones that stimulate the production of sperm, increase in size. The penis increases in size. At this time, the first erections and pollutions appear - uncontrolled ejaculation at night. Also, in parallel with sexual development, there is a strong leap in physical development - the boy begins to grow, the skeletal system is formed according to the male type, the voice begins to change, the size of the penis, testicles increases, the nipples become coarser, and full-fledged viable sex cells (spermatozoa) begin to reproduce.
According to the male pattern, hair begins to grow almost immediately after the genitals begin to grow, in the pubic area, on the thighs and on the stomach up to the navel. After this, hair begins to grow in the armpits, on the chest, around the anus, above the upper lip, on the chin. The amount and thickness of hair varies individually. Androgens stimulate the enlargement of the larynx, the vocal cords thicken and lengthen, the voice becomes lower and rougher. In parallel with these changes, the whole body grows, muscle mass increases. The figure acquires male contours: the shoulders become wider than the pelvis. The sebaceous glands work hard, the skin becomes oily, acne may appear. In boys during puberty, as well as in girls, the smell of sweat changes.
The timing of sexual development can vary, and is influenced by many indirect factors, such as:
- Health problems, previous surgeries or serious injuries.
- Disruption of the nervous and endocrine systems.
- Features of body structure, phenotypic differences.
It is always necessary to take into account the fact that sexual development in boys depends on the individual characteristics of the body, so there is no point in fitting this period into a strict time frame, just as there is no point in panicking. Parents should never discuss the child's problems in his presence, and during the period of maturation, treat him with due patience and understanding. If doubts arise about premature sexual development or its delay, it is better to consult a doctor and get professional advice.
Puberty in girls
Sometimes the parents of a girl who was just a little girl yesterday, having heard the notorious expression from those around her about how other people's children seem to grow up so quickly, realize that they themselves did not understand when their sweet child turned into an awkward and clumsy teenager who gets irritated by everything.
What causes these changes in the body of a young woman? The answer is trivially simple: hormones called estrogens "play" in the body of yesterday's girl. They are the ones that make her body grow and develop intensively: hair appears in the armpits, as well as in the groin, the breasts increase. Every month, the maturing girl notes bloody discharge, which is called menstruation. The period of puberty in girls lasts on average about 2 years. Its onset most often occurs at eleven years, and the onset of menstruation - at thirteen. It is impossible not to take into account that the time of the onset of puberty can vary individually - the normal beginning of the restructuring of the body can occur from nine to fifteen years. Usually this is due to heredity: if the mother's menstruation began earlier or later than most of her peers, then the daughter's, most likely, will deviate in one direction or another. However, too early or too late onset of puberty - before eight or after fifteen - is a reason to visit a doctor, as hormone treatment may be necessary.
Girls who begin puberty too early should be under special supervision of teachers, as they may be mocked and perceived inappropriately by their peers.
The onset of puberty in girls is characterized, first of all, by significant increases in height - up to ten centimeters - and weight - up to five to six kilograms. Appetite increases, which is normal, because such intensive growth requires building material. The so-called teenage angularity and "awkwardness" are noted, which usually disappears after a while. The mammary glands increase in size. The waist becomes thinner and the hips wider. Hair begins to grow in the pubic area and armpits. Sweat acquires a specific strong odor. This is due to the appearance of fatty acids in its composition. The skin becomes oily, acne may appear. Vaginal discharge - menstruation - is noted.
During this period, more than ever, a girl needs the support of adults, especially her mother. Girls are very sensitive and vulnerable in matters concerning their appearance, so it is necessary to teach her how to properly care for her skin, and help her choose special products.
The period of puberty in girls occurs earlier than in boys, but due to individual characteristics it can be delayed or occur earlier. Normally proceeding puberty will be a guarantee that the girl's reproductive system will be formed normally and will give the opportunity to become a mother in the future.
In girls, puberty lasts on average 8-10 years, the entire period is usually divided into three stages:
- Stage 1. At the age of 7-9 years, the hypothalamus structures mature, gonadotropin is secreted every 5-7 days.
- Stage 2. At the age of 10-13 years, the production of estrogen in the ovaries increases, and daily cyclicity is recorded.
- Stage 3. At the age of 14-17, a stable hypothalamic-pituitary system of a two-phase ovulatory cycle is formed. This indicates that the girl's reproductive system is established and works fully.
Also during puberty, along with the formation of the reproductive system, other physiological changes occur - body weight and height increase, hair begins to grow under the arms and on the pubis, the vaginal mucosa matures, the mammary glands swell, increase in size, acne appears, the voice changes, the reproductive system completes its formation.
The period of puberty in girls also requires attention from parents. The girl should receive due attention and care, and not be left alone with fears, the emergence of which is inevitable. If there is a suspicion of a deviation in the sexual development of the girl, you need to consult a doctor - this is a guarantee that the girl will become a full-fledged healthy woman in the future.
The period of puberty is a difficult process in the body and psyche of a maturing person. Uncontrollable emotions, frequent mood swings, abrupt changes in the body and its functions depress the child. The task of adults is to be near him, support, help and, if necessary, approve.