Puberty Review: PHYSICAL CHANGES

Puberty Review

What is Puberty?  Puberty is the period of time when children begin to mature physically and mentally. The changes do not occur on a strict timeline and there is no exact age that the changes start. This is why people who are the same age / grade may look different.  Changes occur at different times according to a person’s own unique internal calendar set by genetics (heredity). During puberty, the body grows faster than at any other time in life because of hormones.

What is a Hormone?  A hormone is a chemical substance that releases from the Pituitary Gland in the brain. There are many different hormones in the body but two main ones responsible for the onset of puberty: BOYS: produce Testosterone which stimulates the testicles to produce sperm cells. GIRLS: produce Estrogen which stimulates the ovaries to release egg cells (ovum).

When does Puberty Start?  Girls tend to see physical changes between the ages of 9 and 14.  Boys tend to see physical changes between the ages of 11 and 16.

Different Girl & Boy Physical Changes:  Girls are born with all the eggs for life in the ovaries. After the start of puberty, usually one egg per is released per month (called Ovulation) until there are no more eggs.  Boys produce thousands of sperm cells daily in the testicles. After the start of puberty, the sperm cells become mature (grow tails) in the epididymis.

 Girls: Menstruation starts (known as “Getting your period”).

 Boys: Nocturnal Emissions may start (known as “Wet Dreams”).

 Girls: Body becomes curvier: hips widen, thighs become bigger, breasts develop (fatty tissue).  Boys: Body becomes muscular: shoulders broaden, muscles over fat, breasts develop (muscle fibres).

 Girls: Voice gets slightly deeper and more mature, does not usually crack or break.

 Boys: Voice breaks, cracks or becomes squeaky, eventually it becomes deeper.

 Girls: Vagina develops including the labia and clitoris. Lubrication can occur during stimulation.  Boys: Penis develops and testicles enlarge. Erections can occur during stimulation and times when there is no stimulation at all.

Common Girl & Boy Physical Changes:  Pubic Hair: both boys and girls grow longer, thicker, darker hair under the arms, on and around the genitals.  Facial Hair: both boys and girls grow facial hair. Boys have thicker, darker growth while girls have sparse, light growth.  Height & Weight: both boys and girls “sprout-up” and “fill-out” fast and noticeably.  Acne: both boys’ and girls’ skin become oilier often producing acne / pimples / zits on the face, upper back, or upper chest.  Body Odour: both boys’ and girls’ sweat glands make chemicals that make them smell.

Common Girl & Boy Social / Emotional Changes:  May feel closer to long-time friends and / or may want to meet new people; may develop “crushes” or special relationships.  May feel it is important to be part of a particular group or identify and may change to “fit-in” or “stand-out” (ex. clothes).  May want to assert independence and even take responsibility for personal thoughts and actions (ex. taste in music).  May choose own, personal standards; form individual ideals, values, opinions; question authority (ex. parents, teachers).  May often feel confused, wanting to be treated as an adult in some situations and like child in others.  May be more influenced by “peer pressure” defined as positive and negative influences from a specific social group (peers).  May desire more space, privacy, or feel annoyed with family members; may often get into conflict with these family members.  May over-react to situations that seem new or pressured; may often struggle with making good decisions.