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Puberty corresponds to the period of physiological and biological changes in the body that marks the transition from childhood to adolescence. The changes start to be evident from the age of 12, but it can vary according to the family history and eating habits of the child, for example.
In addition to the physical changes, which are evident in this period, the person may have wide variations in mood due to increased production of hormones, testosterone in the case of boys, and estrogen in the case of girls. If the changes are not noticed or do not occur until the age of 13, it is advisable to consult a doctor so that the cause can be investigated and the treatment can be started, which is usually done with hormone replacement.
Main bodily changes
The age at which the first signs of onset of puberty can vary between boys and girls, and can happen in girls between 8 and 13 years old and in boys between 9 and 14 years old.
In girls, the most evident sign of the onset of puberty is the first menstrual period, known as menarche, which usually occurs between 12 and 13 years old, however it can vary according to the family's historical lifestyle. In the case of boys, the main sign that entering puberty is the first ejaculation, which usually occurs between 12 and 13 years old.
The following table indicates the main bodily changes that can be seen in girls and boys at puberty:
Girls | Boys |
Breast growth | Pubic hair appearance |
Appearance of pubic and underarm hair | Appearance of hair in the armpits, legs and face |
Wider hips | Thicker voice |
Thinner waist | Penis growth and enlargement |
Development of Organs sexual organs | Increased testicles |
Uterus enlargement | Laryngeal growth, popularly known as Adam's apple |
In addition, due to the hormonal changes that accompany puberty, it is also common for both boys and boys to start to have more oily skin, favoring the appearance of acne.
What can accelerate puberty
Some girls may experience body changes much earlier than normal, that is, between 7 and 9 years, for example. Some factors may favor the growth of the breasts and maturation of the female sexual organs, such as an increase in the Body Mass Index (BMI), because the more fat accumulated in the body, the greater the stimulus for estrogen production, which is the hormone responsible for female characteristics.
In addition, frequent exposure to chemicals in enamels and perfumes, for example, can also favor puberty, because some of its constituents can deregulate the endocrine system and, consequently, hormonal production, resulting in puberty.
Although many girls think it is a good thing for breasts to appear early, early puberty can put girls at risk, as it can be associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as problems related to mental health, such as anxiety, for example.
See more information about precocious puberty.
What can delay puberty?
Common changes in adolescence may not happen when the child has a condition that directly or indirectly interferes with the growth of the gonads or the production of sex hormones. Among the conditions that delay puberty are malnutrition, hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, genetic diseases, such as Turner's syndrome, for example, and autoimmune diseases, such as Addison's disease.