Puberty and adolescence

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Female reproductive anatomy

Male reproductive anatomy

If the egg does not meet with sperm from a male and is not fertilized, it dissolves. The thickened lining sloughs off and forms menstrual blood flow, which passes out of the body through the vagina. In between the menstrual periods, there may be a clear or whitish vaginal discharge. This is normal.

Keeping track of when your period occurs and how long it lasts can help you predict when you should have your next menstrual period.

During or just before each period, the girl may feel moody or emotional, and her body may feel puffy or swollen (bloated). PMS (premenstrual syndrome) may begin to develop, especially as the girl gets older.

In girls, puberty is usually complete by age 17. Any increases in height beyond this age are uncommon. Although full physical maturity has been reached at this time, educational and emotional maturity remain ongoing.

PUBERTY IN BOYS

Unlike girls, there is no clearcut sign that tells a boy that he has entered puberty. However, boys will normally experience:

• Faster growth, especially height
• Increased shoulder width
• Growth of the penis, scrotum (accompanied by reddening and folding of the skin), and testes
• Voice changes
• Pubic, beard, and armpit hair growth
• Nighttime ejaculations (nocturnal emissions or "wet dreams")

The testes constantly produce sperm. While some sperm can be stored in a structure called the epididymis, the stored sperm are occasionally released as part of the normal process to make room for new sperm. This can occur automatically during sleep (nocturnal emissions) or following masturbation or sexual intercourse. Nocturnal emissions are a normal part of puberty.

ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence is the time between the beginning of sexual maturation (puberty) and adulthood. It is a time of psychological maturation, which a person becomes "adult-like" in behavior.

Adolescence is roughly considered to be the period between 13 and 19 years of age. The adolescent experiences not only physical growth and change but also emotional, psychological, social, and mental change and growth.

See also:

• Death among children and adolescents
• Suicide
• Adolescent depression
• Adolescent pregnancy
• Childhood stress

Review Date: 12/27/2006
Reviewed By: Ian Marshall, MD, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ.