Puberty in girls

Puberty in girls (or, in other words, the pubertal period, puberty) is a change in the developmental processes of a teenage girl’s body, which leads to maturation and the emergence of reproductive function (the ability to continue the family line).

Puberty is triggered by signals sent from the brain to the girls' sex glands, the ovaries. The ovaries respond to the commands they receive by producing different types of hormones that stimulate the girl's growth and development - the brain, skeletal system, muscles, skin and reproductive organs grow and enlarge.

The first half of puberty is characterized by an acceleration of body growth, which ends by the end of puberty. If before puberty there are practically no external differences in the structure of the bodies of girls and boys (only the external genitalia differ), then during puberty, the girl's body undergoes major changes. The most obvious of these are secondary sexual characteristics: the formation of mammary glands, an increase in the width of the hips, and so on. Although the transformations occur not only in the external plane, significant changes appear in many systems, structures, and organs that affect their functions, sizes, shapes, and composition.

Puberty also includes issues of a psychological nature, namely the girl’s gender identity.

Puberty in girls occurs under the influence of hormones secreted by the endocrine glands - the pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenal glands, as well as changes in the functioning of the central nervous system. The regulation of puberty in girls is primarily carried out by the hormones estrogens, which are produced by the ovaries, and the hormones androgens, which are produced by the adrenal glands.

Estrogens are responsible for the growth of a girl's breasts (mammary glands), as well as an increase in the size of the pelvic area, labia minora, vagina, and uterus. In addition, estrogens are responsible for the distribution of fat in the subcutaneous tissue, which occurs in different parts of the girl's body. The formation of sexual desire in an adult girl also occurs under the influence of estrogens.

The interaction of estrogens with other hormones produced in the girl’s body causes the complete maturation of eggs in the ovaries.

Androgen hormones have less influence on the changes that occur with a girl during puberty. They affect the appearance of hair in the pubic and groin area, as well as in the armpits. The labia majora also increase in size under the influence of these hormones. Androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin, due to which the appearance of teenage pimples and acne (acne) in a girl occurs, as well as an increase in the oiliness of the hair on the head.

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Puberty in girls

The period of puberty in girls is quite long - about ten years. It is characterized by the presence of several stages of improvement of sexual maturity of the girl.

The onset of puberty occurs at the age of eight to nine years, which is characterized by an acceleration of growth in girls.

The appearance of further signs of puberty - enlargement of the mammary glands, growth of pubic hair - begins at approximately ten to twelve years of age.

On average, the first menstruation appears two years after the above-mentioned external transformations.

The final stage of puberty in girls is considered to be the age that occurs four to six years after the onset of the first menstrual bleeding. Usually, this occurs at the age of seventeen to eighteen years.

However, there are groups of girls who, due to the peculiarities of their development, may begin puberty at the age of nine. This means not only the accelerated growth of the body and its limbs, but also the formation of secondary sexual characteristics - the development of the mammary glands, etc. It happens that absolutely healthy girls begin to enter puberty at the age of seven or eight, which is associated with the genetic peculiarities of their development.

Also, the onset of puberty in some categories of girls may be delayed until the age of thirteen to fifteen. At the same time, the girls are healthy and normally developing, and such delays in maturation are caused by hereditary factors.

The onset of puberty in girls

It is generally accepted that puberty in girls begins with the period of her entry into adolescence. But this is a misconception, in fact, everything happens much earlier.

The onset of puberty occurs at the age of eight to nine years. This stage is characterized by a strong growth spurt in girls, which can reach about ten centimeters per year. It happens that girls at this time overtake their peer boys in growth.

During this period of puberty, the skeletal system, muscular system and nerve endings grow at different rates. Therefore, girls who have entered puberty may appear awkward and clumsy, somewhat angular.

Often such changes in the figure cause girls suffering and fears that they will forever look like funny grasshoppers. Parents need to reassure the girls, telling them that soon their figures will acquire positive transformations.

Later, around eleven to thirteen years of age, secondary sexual characteristics begin to change rapidly: mammary glands grow, the waist decreases, body shapes become rounder, and so on.

Age of puberty in girls

The age of puberty in girls is as follows:

1. The onset of puberty occurs around eleven to thirteen years of age.
2. The end of puberty occurs at the age of seventeen to eighteen years.

There are several categories of teenagers who mature differently. Some girls begin to enter puberty earlier and, accordingly, complete puberty earlier. Such teenagers are called accelerators. They begin to experience puberty in the form of breast enlargement at the age of nine, ten, or eleven. And the growth spurt occurs approximately a year before that. Accordingly, the first menstruation in the above-mentioned girls occurs at the age of ten or eleven.

In another category of teenagers, the onset of puberty is postponed until thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen years. This is manifested in growth retardation and the formation of secondary sexual characteristics. The first menstruation appears in these categories of girls at thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen years. Accordingly, the puberty period ends at a later age, at eighteen years. Such teenagers are called retardants, that is, slow in their development, which is absolutely normal and genetically determined.

However, there are certain developmental abnormalities and hormonal disorders in girls that cause delayed puberty and the onset of menstruation. Therefore, if there are no signs of puberty at fourteen to fifteen years of age and menstruation has not begun by the age of fifteen, it is recommended to show the girl to specialists, a gynecologist and endocrinologist.

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Signs of puberty in girls

Signs of puberty in girls are as follows:

• A sharp growth spurt – a girl can grow up to ten centimeters per year. At the same time, girls outpace their male peers. The differences in growth are equalized at the age of seventeen to eighteen, that is, by the end of puberty in girls. At this time, girls stop growing, while boys continue to grow.
• A change in the figure of a teenage girl in the early stages of puberty is an increase in the length of the limbs compared to the length of the body. Because of this, there is a change in the proportions of the body, which leads to a visual impression of its awkwardness.
• Later, secondary female sexual characteristics begin to form. First of all, the mammary glands begin to enlarge. Then, after some time, smooth pubic hair appears on the pubis. After a short time, the pubic hair begins to change in structure - it becomes wavy. The next changes in the girl's body concern the appearance of underarm hair.
• The labia minora and labia majora increase in size.
• Soon the first menstruation begins – menarche.
• The changes in the girl’s appearance continue – the volume of her hips increases, her waist becomes thinner, her shoulders narrower, and her figure acquires the rounded, smooth contours typical of the female body.
• The amount of hair on the girl's arms and legs increases and becomes darker.
• Hormonal changes occur in the girl's body, as a result of which the appearance of her skin and hair changes. The sebaceous glands located in the skin begin to become active. Therefore, the skin and hair become more oily; the girl's face, neck and back begin to be covered with red pimples and blackheads.
• The overall percentage of fat in the girl's body increases, and fat deposits are seen mainly in the pelvic area, on the abdomen and thighs.

Stages of puberty in girls

The stages of puberty in girls correspond with the appearance of each sign of puberty.

• A sharp growth spurt – in a normally developing girl, this increase in height occurs at about eleven years of age. If before this period, at about seven or eight years of age, girls gain in height by five to six centimeters per year, then entering puberty is marked by growth of eight to ten centimeters per year. At this time, the child grows out of recently purchased clothes and shoes so quickly that this surprises not only the parents, but also the girl herself.

At this time, the annual weight gain reaches four to nine kilograms, although before this period the usual weight gain averaged two and a half to three and a half kilograms.

Increased growth affects the child’s appetite and the amount of food eaten, because such transformations require an increased flow of energy and building materials.

• Such changes can appear earlier, around the age of nine in girls, who develop earlier than their peers.
• Later, the size of the pelvis and hips increases, which is related to the formation of secondary sexual characteristics. It happens that such changes occur at the age of nine.
• Further changes in the girl's body are manifested in the enlargement of the mammary glands. First of all, the nipple and areola around the nipple enlarge. After six months to a year, the mammary glands begin to resemble small cones. At this time, it is not recommended to use a bra, which can stop the formation of the mammary glands.
• Approximately, around the beginning of the first menstruation, the entire mammary gland increases in size and becomes rounded in shape, similar to the mammary glands of adult women. This usually happens during the onset of the first menstruation. This is the time when it is worth putting on the first bras, which will facilitate the convenience of the girl's movements.
• At the age of twelve to thirteen, the formation of secondary sexual characteristics continues: hair grows in the pubic area and the waist, characteristic of the female body structure, is formed. Primary sexual characteristics also develop - the external genitalia (labia minora and labia majora) increase in size.
• Various skin changes occur, associated with the activation of sebum secretion. Such "innovations" are caused by the process of hormonal and physical changes in the girl's body. The increase in sebum provokes the appearance of red pimples on the girl's skin and acne, and also causes increased hair oiliness.

Such changes do not please grown-up girls at all, who are very worried about the deterioration in their appearance. Parents need to consult with hairdressers and cosmetologists about purchasing special shampoos and cosmetics for the skin, with the help of which it is possible to maintain the good condition of the skin of the body and hair, as well as to preserve the external attractiveness of the girl. It will not be superfluous to undergo special cleansing cosmetic procedures for the skin in the cosmetologist's office. In addition, a grown-up girl must be taught the rules of careful personal hygiene, so as not to provoke a deterioration in the condition of the skin and hair.

• The appearance of the first menstruation, called menarche. This fact means that the girl is already sexually mature, that is, capable of reproductive function. At first - for two years - the menstrual cycle is most often unsettled. This is manifested in an unsettled rhythm of bleeding, as well as in its strength and duration. After the menstruation becomes cyclical, we can say that the girl is ready to conceive and give birth to a child (but only from a physiological point of view, not a psychological or social one).

As noted above, in the first two years, menstruation in girls has an undefined cycle, that is, deviations of various natures appear. These features are not a violation of the normal development of the girl, but are considered fluctuations that do not go beyond the usual physiological stages of puberty. First of all, this concerns violations of the regularity of the menstrual cycle, which has two phases. During the period when menstrual bleeding has just begun, the primary eggs may not mature to the end, and therefore there is no separation of mature eggs from the ovaries. In this case, the formation of the corpus luteum either does not occur at all, or is underdeveloped, which does not stimulate the production of increased progesterone in the girl's blood.

The first phase of the menstrual cycle leads to increased growth of the uterine mucosa (endometrium), which occurs under the influence of estrogens. This provokes the appearance of uncomfortable and prolonged uterine bleeding, called juvenile. Approximately five to ten percent of girls experience such manifestations.

Sometimes, menstruation may not occur every month, but with breaks of two or three months. Other disturbances in the menstrual cycle may also appear, but such deviations, as has already been said, disappear after a couple of years.

It is very important to prepare the girl for periodic bleeding before her period appears. It is necessary to tell the girl about the hormonal changes in her body, that her body is already ready for reproductive functions. Such a conversation can be conducted by the girl's mother and/or a gynecologist. It is worth preparing the girl to accept the fact that menstruation is a normal occurrence in a woman's life. But if the bleeding is accompanied by pain and other unpleasant sensations that can disturb the girl and cause her inconvenience, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist.

It is also necessary to have a conversation with the girl about the harm of early sexual activity and possible pregnancy in this case, which leads to tragic consequences at this age.

• From the moment menstruation begins, the girl's growth does not increase at an accelerated rate. At this age, on average, by the age of thirteen, the growth rate is reduced to one and a half to two and a half centimeters per year.
• At the age of fourteen to sixteen, the girl's figure begins to acquire feminine contours - in addition to the already grown breasts and thinned waist, the hips begin to round out, the pelvis grows, the shape of the legs changes, and so on. Hair appears in the armpit area. Menstruation becomes rhythmic. The development of the skeletal system, the increase in bone size stops.

To maintain the hygiene of the girl, it is necessary to teach her to use a razor for women to shave the hair in the armpit area. Pubic hair should not be removed, since at this age it is not at all necessary.

Early puberty in girls

Early sexual development is considered to be the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics and the onset of menstruation (in some cases) in girls around ten years of age. Such manifestations in development, slightly ahead of the norm, are not considered a deviation or violation. Therefore, it can be said that for some girls, a slight advance in development is a variant of the norm. Such developmental features are observed in girls with accelerated development, who differ from their peers in early physical, sexual, psychological and emotional development.

Early puberty in girls should not worry parents. But in these cases, it is recommended to conduct special conversations that can explain to the girl the changes in her own body and teach her personal hygiene skills.

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Precocious puberty in girls

Precocious puberty is characterized by the development of a full set of secondary sexual characteristics (or some of them) in girls under the age of eight. Sometimes at this age, menarche – the first menstruation – occurs. There are several forms of precocious puberty in girls:

1. True precocious sexual development. This form of precocious sexual development is considered cerebral, that is, arising due to processes occurring in the brain. Early onset of puberty is caused by the early onset of activity of the hypothalamus or adenohypophysis, which are responsible for reproductive functions. The activity of these glands stimulates the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

The activation of LH leads to the production of estrogen in the girl's body, which leads to changes in her body caused by puberty. The activity of FSH leads to the beginning of the growth and maturation of follicles in the ovaries.

True precocious puberty has a number of characteristics:

• isosexual by nature, that is, it is related to the female sex genetically and by gonadal characteristics;
• complete in its manifestations, that is, it is characterized by the presence of thelarche (growth of the mammary glands), adrenarche (the appearance of pubic and axillary hair) and an acceleration of the rate of body growth.
• completed, that is, characterized by the premature appearance of menarche.

Causes of the cerebral form of true premature puberty may be infections that the girl suffered before the age of one year. Such manifestations are also caused by organic lesions of the brain, which put pressure on the hypothalamus, as well as certain problems that arose during the mother's pregnancy.

There is not only a cerebral form of true premature puberty, but also a constitutional form. The latter form of deviation in puberty is more rare and is hereditary.

False precocious puberty

This type of premature maturation occurs due to increased secretion of estrogens in the adrenal glands or ovaries. The use of drugs containing estrogens or gonadotropic hormones in the treatment of girls also provokes the appearance of false puberty.

The false type of premature development is characterized, like the true one, by an accelerated growth rate of the girl. But false development always has an incomplete character, which is manifested in the absence of premature menarche. Also, false development can occur both according to the isosexual and heterosexual type.

Characteristics of the false isosexual type of development (female type):

• rapid growth rate;
• the mammary glands enlarge;
• hair growth occurs in the pubic area, groin area and armpits.

Characteristics of the false heterosexual type of development (male type):

• up to the age of eight, the clitoris begins to enlarge and begin to resemble a penis in shape;
• shaft hair appears in the area of the upper lip and chin;
• bones grow faster than in girls developing according to the isosexual type;
• The fat layer is distributed according to the male type.

It should be noted that the heterosexual type of development is quite rare and is caused by hormonal disorders in the body of girls who were administered androgen hormone drugs. If specialists are consulted in a timely manner, deviations in the girl's development can be reversed, into the female channel. The use of the correct method of treatment, which is carried out over a long period of time, can completely restore the correct sexual development of the girl. The mammary glands will form on time, the menstrual cycle will be established on time. In the future, the reproductive functions of the cured girl will be preserved, she will be able to conceive and bear a child well, and also give birth to it normally. If treatment is neglected, then the development of the female type in such girls will not occur at all.

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Incomplete precocious sexual development

This type of premature puberty is caused by the appearance of excess gonadotropic hormones in the girl's body. A strong increase in estrogens can also lead to similar deviations in sexual development.

Characteristics of incomplete precocious puberty:

• is not accompanied by accelerated growth rates;
• only the mammary glands are formed, without the appearance of other secondary sexual characteristics;
• only hair growth appears in the groin area, pubis and armpits without the formation of other secondary sexual characteristics.

Diseases of various nature that provoke the appearance of premature sexual development. Such diseases include:

• the occurrence of ovarian follicular cysts,
• presence of ovarian tumors,
• the appearance of primary hypothyroidism,
• McCune-Albright syndrome,
• Russell-Silver syndrome.

Such diseases are characterized by the appearance of bloody discharge, which resembles menstrual bleeding. But secondary sexual characteristics do not develop.

Movies about girls going through puberty

It is recommended to watch films about girls' puberty together with a mother or another adult woman who can explain to the girl any unclear or embarrassing moments. Parents are advised to watch the film themselves before watching it together with their child to make sure that it is useful and that there are no scenes or information that, in the opinion of the mother or father, are premature for their daughter. It is worth starting to watch such films at the age when the first signs of puberty appear in the girl, as well as when she has developed an interest in such issues.

Films about girls' puberty are represented by the following documentaries and cartoons:

• A film about the development and protection of girls' reproductive functions, "When a girl grows up...", which won the main prize in the "Applied Animation" category at the Open Suzdal Festival in Suzdal in 2003. The film was created with the support of the Russian Ministry of Health and the pharmaceutical company Gedeon-Richter.
• Discovery Channel documentary "Girl Power".
• A 1998 British documentary film, The Human Body: Puberty.
• A documentary film made in 2008, "About Sex - Puberty".

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