Puberty
Puberty
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Puberty can be a challenging time for everyone regardless of their body type's specific changes. Knowing what the process entails is crucial to success as an adolescent.
Female
Female
Physical Changes
Physical Changes
Breasts grow
Hair under arms and public area
Wider hips
Menstruation begins
Uterus and vagina become larger
The hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced that help the breasts, vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes develop as well as facilitate growth and changes the way fat is stored.
Time Span
Time Span
Puberty occurs from 8-13 years old
A growth spurt occurs between 10 and 14 years
Male
Male
Physical Changes
Physical Changes
Deeper Voice
Development of an Adam's Apple
Enlargement of the penis and testicles
Increase in hair production
Broadening of the shoulders
The hormone testosterone is produced to help the maturation of the reproductive organs, production of facial & pubic hair, and the deepening of the voice to occur as well as facilitate growth.
Time Span
Time Span
Puberty occurs from 9-14 years old
A growth spurt occurs between 12 and 15
General Experiences
General Experiences
Adolescents of any sex might experience:
Acne
Increase in hair (armpit, pubic, etc.)
Growing pains
Body odor
Increase in sweat production
Intersex
Intersex
Some adolescents might experience symptoms of puberty that do not align with the traditional boundaries of what a "male" or "female" puberty entails. These result in a vast variety of conditions known as intersexuality.
This can include anything from not experiencing hair growth or periods, to experiencing breast growth as a boy and facial hair growth as a girl. (Planned Parenthood)
Please visit InterACT for more information on what it means to be an intersex individual.
Transgender
Transgender
Some adolescents might come to the realization that they are transgender (if they have not already).
Transgender adolescents may be able to go on puberty blockers. This depends entirely on how far they are into the process of their original puberty.
Result: Suppressing the affects of the original puberty until the individual is able to begin hormones.
Consequently, transgender adoloscents may be able to start hormones with the permission of their guardians and a licensed therapist.
Result: Undergoing a puberty which is alligned with the development of the secondary sex characteristics that are associated with the individual's gender.
Note: These processes are in no way needed to be transgender and are all up to one's individual needs.
Please visit American College of Obstericians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for more information on what it means to be transgender in terms of medicine.
Please visit Planned Parenthood for more information.
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