Puberty is the period in a person’s life when he or she becomes sexually mature. It is a procedure that typically takes place between the ages of 8–13 in females and 9–14 in males. It alters a person’s appearance, and the effects it has on males and females are different.
The onset of puberty is a natural and completely expected element of growing up. However, it is natural to experience feelings of anxiety, excitement, and confusion in relation to it. If you are prepared for the changes that come with puberty, you may find them less strange or upsetting. Additionally, having a conversation with your parents or another trusted adult might be beneficial. After all, they too have passed through the stages of puberty. Therefore, it’s likely that they can empathize with how you’re feeling and offer good suggestions.
What Happens To Our Body System During Puberty?
Puberty starts when the hypothalamus, a region of the brain, starts telling the rest of the body that it’s time to start developing adult features.
These signals are transmitted by hormones, which in turn stimulate the reproductive organs (the ovaries in females and the testes in males) to create a wide variety of additional hormones.
These hormones are responsible for growth and change in a variety of body areas, including but not limited to the following:
- brain
- bones
- hair
- external reproductive organs
- breast tissue
- skin
- muscles
The skin develops a oily appearance, and the amount of sweat that the body produces increases. Some people will start developing some form of Acne.
Puberty hormonal changes in boys:
- The enlargement of the testicles and penis are typical of the beginning stages of puberty.
- After that, hair begins to grow in the pubic region as well as the armpits.
- As puberty progresses, a deeper voice, increased facial hair, and larger muscles are some of the changes that occur.
Puberty hormonal changes in girls:
- In most cases, the appearance of breasts signals the beginning of puberty.
- After that, hair begins to grow in the pubic region as well as the armpits.
- Menstruation, often known as a period, is typically the final stage.
What is Early puberty (Precocious)?
There are approximately 1% to 2% of youngsters in the United States that experience early puberty. Females younger than 8 and males younger than 9 are considered prepubescent at this point in time.
In the vast majority of instances, early puberty is not a cause for concern and does not call for the intervention of a healthcare professional. There is a large range of variation in what medical professionals perceive to be normal in terms of a person’s rate of growth and development. This variation might be attributable to factors such as the individual’s genes, environment, nutrition, and weight.
The development of pubic hair and an unpleasant body odor are two symptoms that frequently accompany premature puberty. Early breast development in a female is often due to the presence of fatty tissue and does not necessarily indicate that the breast will continue to grow.
In certain situations, early puberty can be an indicator of a health problem, such as a genetic illness, a hormonal ailment, an anomaly in the brain, or a problem with the testes, ovaries, or adrenal gland. Early puberty can also be an indication of psychological issues, such as anxiety or depression.
If the underlying hormonal imbalance could cause problems later in life, such as weak bones or a lack of growth, a doctor may recommend treatments to temporarily stop the effects of the hormones involved as a solution to the problem. This is especially true if the underlying hormonal imbalance is causing the problem in the first place.
In the meantime, studies have shown that children are entering puberty at a younger age than their parents and grandparents did.
For instance, a study that was conducted in 2018 found that girls have begun to have their periods at an average age of 13, which is 3.6 months earlier than the age at which their female parents began to experience menstruation. This can contribute to further uncertainty regarding the typical onset and progression of puberty.
What is Late Puberty?
In females, late puberty is defined as the absence of breast growth by the age of 13 or the onset of periods before the age of 16. In males, it indicates that the process of testicular expansion did not start by the age of 14.
In most cases, a delayed onset of puberty is nothing to be concerned about. What medical professionals regard to be normal in terms of a person’s growth and development can vary greatly from one individual to the next due to a number of factors, including genetics, environment, food, and weight.
Puberty can be delayed if a person is undernourished or has been ill for an extended period of time early in their lives. The similar impact can be achieved through vigorous physical training beginning at a young age, such as through gymnastics.
The majority of persons who experience delayed puberty will still go through the regular stages of development; however, they will do so later than many of their contemporaries.
Puberty that comes later than usual may be an indicator of a medical problem in some situations. Hypogonadism is a condition that occurs when the sex organs release fewer hormones than normal. This illness can be caused by genetic causes, developmental abnormalities, or a tumor in the brain.
A blood test can disclose any hormonal abnormalities, and an MRI or ultrasound scan can demonstrate whether or not the glands in question are functioning normally. Treatment with hormones is frequently helpful.
How To Restart Puberty Growth
Although the experience of puberty is distinct for each person, the pattern and order of puberty are very stable and predictable. Puberty typically begins around the age of 8 and ends around age 16. It’s possible that some adolescents will experience puberty more slowly than others; this is known as constitutional delay, and it’s often a tendency that’s passed down via families. If, however, there is a deviation from the pattern, such as the absence of a growth spurt or the absence of menstrual cycles by the age of 16, then it is recommended that parents have their adolescents assessed by their pediatrician.
Puberty and overall development are both profoundly influenced by a person’s diet. Teenagers, particularly during the growth spurt stage of their development, typically have larger nutritional requirements to maintain their continued rise in height. It is possible for parents to observe that their adolescents have a stronger hunger during this period, which highlights the significance of consuming and maintaining a balanced diet all during the puberty process.
For example, eating a lot of processed and high-fat foods may contribute to early onset of puberty in females. This may be why we find that certain girls have menarche at young ages compared to other girls. Studies reveal that weight can affect the progression and onset of puberty. On the other hand, missing meals throughout the day might have a detrimental effect on a person’s growth and development and potentially slow down the course of these processes.
Conclusion
The process of puberty can be difficult on a physical, mental, and emotional level. It is essential to keep in mind that it has a unique impact on each and every person and that there is no single “normal” method to deal with it.
It might be helpful for people to navigate this phase of life by talking to adults and others they can trust.