Puberty (Physical Changes)

Puberty (Physical Changes)

What is puberty?

Puberty is the period when secondary sexual characteristics develop and the sexual organs mature. Secondary sexual characteristics are physical features appearing at puberty that indicate the onset of adult reproductive life. Puberty typically begins between the ages of 9 and 11, which is when physical changes start to appear. The different physical stages can be challenging and even confusing for teens, especially since the timeline of these changes is different for each person.

What are the stages of puberty?

Professor James M. Tanner, a child development expert, was the first to identify the visible stages of puberty. Here’s what you can expect to see based on the Tanner stages in males and females during puberty.

Tanner stage 1

Tanner stage 1 describes what’s happening to your child before any physical signs of puberty appear. It typically starts after a female’s 8th birthday and after a male’s 9th or 10th birthday. At this stage, these internal changes are the same for males and females.

The brain begins to send signals to the body to prepare for changes.
The hypothalamus begins to release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to the pituitary gland, which makes hormones that control other glands in the body.
Pituitary gland starts to make two other hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Physical changes aren’t noticeable for males or females at this stage.

Tanner stage 2

Stage 2 marks the beginning of physical development. Hormones begin to send signals throughout the body.

Females

Puberty usually starts between ages 9 and 11. Visible changes include:

First signs of breasts, called “buds,” start to form under the nipple. They may be itchy or tender or one bud may be larger than the other, which is normal.
Darker area around the nipple (areola) will also expand.
Uterus begins to get larger, and small amounts of pubic hair start growing on the lips of the vulva.

Males

In males, puberty usually starts around age 11. The testicles and skin around the testicles (scrotum) begin to get bigger. Puberty usually starts around age 11. Changes include:

Testicles and skin around the testicles (scrotum) begin to get bigger.
Early stages of pubic hair form on the base of the penis.

Tanner stage 3

Physical changes are becoming more obvious for both males and females in stage 3. Along with a growth spurt in height, your teen’s hormones are hard at work, furthering development from the previous stage.

Females

Physical changes in females usually start after age 12. These changes include:

Breast “buds” continue to grow and expand.
Pubic hair gets thicker and curlier.
Hair starts forming under the armpits.
The first signs of acne may appear on the face and back.
The highest growth rate for height begins (around 3.2 inches per year).
Hips and thighs start to build up fat.

Males

Physical changes in males usually start around age 13. These changes include:

Penis gets longer as testicles continue to grow bigger.
Some breast tissue may start to form under the nipples (this happens to some teenage males during development and usually goes away within a couple of years).
Males begin to have wet dreams (ejaculation at night).
As the voice begins to change, it may “crack,” going from high to lower pitches.
Muscles get larger.
Height growth increases to 2 to 3.2 inches per year.

Tanner stage 4

Puberty is in full swing during stage 4. Both males and females are noticing many changes.

Females

In females, stage 4 usually starts around age 13. Changes include:

Breasts take on a fuller shape, passing the bud stage.
Many females get their first period, typically between ages of 12 and 14, but it can happen earlier.
Height growth will slow down to about 2 to 3 inches per year.
Pubic hair gets thicker.

Males

In males, stage 4 usually starts around age 14. Changes include:

Testicles, penis, and scrotum continue to get bigger, and the scrotum will get darker in color.
Armpit hair starts to grow.
Deeper voice becomes permanent.
Acne may start to appear.

Tanner stage 5

Stage 5 begins the culmination of your teen’s development. In this final phase, your teen will eventually reach full physical maturation, including their final adult height.

Females

In females, stage 5 usually happens around age 15. Changes include:

Breasts reach approximate adult size and shape, though breasts can continue to change through age 18.
Periods become regular after 6 months to 2 years.
Females reach adult height 1 to 2 years after their first period.
Pubic hair fills out to reach the inner thighs.
Reproductive organs and genitals are fully developed.
Hips, thighs, and buttocks fill out in shape.

Males

In males, stage 5 usually starts around age 15. Changes include:

Penis, testicles, and scrotum will have reached adult size.
Pubic hair has filled in and spread to the inner thighs.
Facial hair will start coming in and some males will need to begin shaving.
Growth in height will slow down, but muscles may still be growing.
By age 18, most males have reached full growth.

What are other signs of puberty?

Changing hormones cause oils to build up on the skin and clog pores, resulting in acne. Larger sweat glands also develop during puberty which may cause body odor. This can be prevented with regular showers and use of deodorant. Hormones or your child’s feelings about physical changes, friends, or school may be the culprit of mood swings which is not unusual during puberty. Puberty doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a years-long process involving various physical and hormonal changes — all of which can be uncomfortable to go through and require patient guidance.

What are some myths about puberty?
Oily Food Causes Acne

Many people think it’s the unhealthy teen diet that causes those red spots, but acne is primarily caused by the body reacting to changing hormones.

Menstruation Is the Beginning of Puberty

Getting your period actually occurs about 18 months to two years after puberty begins. Girls will typically get their first cycle before turning 13, but this varies in everyone.

Adolescents become disobedient because of hormones

According to researchers, it might not just be hormones to blame for all of that change in behaviour and sleeping patterns. The brain actually begins to change rapidly, beginning around 12 years old. The prefrontal cortex part of the brain undergoes a massive shift, which can be attributed to some of what parents describe as unexpected change in behavior.