Puberty and adolescence

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Female reproductive anatomy

Male reproductive anatomy

Puberty is the time in which sexual and physical characteristics mature. It occurs due to hormone changes. The changes allow you to become capable of reproduction.

Adolescence is the period between puberty and adulthood.

Maturation - sexual; Adolescence; Reproductive development; Sexual maturation; Menarche; Adrenarche

The exact age a child enters puberty depends on a number of different things, such as a person's genes, nutrition, and gender. During puberty, various endocrine glands produce hormones that cause body changes and the development of secondary sex characteristics. In girls, the ovaries begin to increase production of estrogen and other female hormones. In boys, the testicles increase production of testosterone.

The adrenal glands produce hormones that cause increased armpit sweating, body odor, acne, and armpit and pubic hair. This process is called adrenarche. The adolescent may find that an underarm deodorant or antiperspirant becomes necessary.

PUBERTY IN GIRLS

Breast development is the main sign that a girl is entering puberty. This will be followed by the first menstrual period (menarche). Before having the first menstrual period, a girl will normally have:

• An increase in height
• Pubic, armpit, and leg hair growth
• Clear or whitish vaginal secretions
• Increased hip size

Menstrual cycles occur over about one month (28 to 32 days). At first, the menstrual periods typically are irregular. The girl may go 2 months between periods, or may have two periods in 1 month. Over time, they become more regular.

After menstruation starts, the ovaries begin to produce and release eggs, which have been stored in the ovaries since birth. About every month after menstruation starts, an ovary releases an egg, called an ovum. The egg travels down a tube (Fallopian tube), which connects the ovary to the womb. When the egg reaches the womb, the lining becomes thick with blood and fluid. This happens so that if the egg is fertilized, it can grow and develop in the lining to produce a baby. (It is important to remember that fertility comes before emotional maturity and pregnancy can occur before an adolescent is prepared for parenthood.)