Puberty

Puberty is a natural process that marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. It involves the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as the growth of facial and pubic hair, breast development in girls, and the deepening of the voice in boys.

During puberty, there are changes that happen to either boys or girls uniquely. However, there are also changes that happen to both boys and girls. For example:

  • Growing taller at a higher rate
  • The development of body odour
  • Growth of pubic hair and underarm hair
  • Many experience acne
  • Emotional changes

While the timing and progression of these changes can vary, they are a normal and important part of the development process.

Adolescence is the period of time, following the start of puberty, when a child develops into an adult.

Boys

For boys, puberty typically begins around the age of 12 and lasts for several years. During this time, boys experience a range of physical changes, including:

  • Deepening of the voice
  • Widening of the shoulders
  • Development of the penis and testes
  • Testes start producing sperm
  • Body hair starts to grow on their face and chest

These changes are triggered by an increase in testosterone production. While the timing and progression of these changes can vary, they are a normal and important part of the development process.

Girls

For girls, puberty typically begins around the age of 11 and lasts for several years. During this time, girls experience a range of physical changes, including:

  • Widening of the hips
  • Development of breasts
  • Menstruation starts
  • The ovaries start to release eggs (menstrual cycle)

These changes are triggered by an increase in estrogen production.

Hormones

During puberty, there are many physical and hormonal changes in the body. These changes are triggered by the production of sex hormones, which are chemicals produced by the body’s endocrine system.

  • In males, the primary sex hormone is testosterone, which is produced in the testes
  • In females, the primary sex hormone is estrogen, which is produced in the ovaries