The Scoop on Puberty: What’s Normal, and What Might Not be
Puberty…the topic that teens dread discussing with their parents, or anyone for that matter. But who can blame them? Their bodies are going through some major changes that can be hard to comprehend. If you’re an adult reading this I’m sure you can think back to the time that your body was doing things you didn’t even know was possible. But imagine being only eight or nine when you begin to develop these bodily changes, like having breast buds or pubic hair or body odor… hard to believe that would be normal, right?
The fact is, there have been a lot of changes over the years. While most of us tend to associate puberty with being a teenager, nowadays it is considered normal for boys and girls to begin showing signs of puberty as young as age EIGHT or NINE years old!!
While this can be a sensitive subject, we recommend having an open discussion with your child or teenager explaining why these changes occur, and what to expect. This may help them feel more “normal” about the process, and ease any feelings of anxiety or stress associated with the changes that their bodies will undergo.
Perhaps the most important question to address when introducing the topic is: What exactly is puberty? During puberty our bodies undergo many internal and external changes that are a vital part of developing to be mature, grown adults. These changes are mostly due to fluctuations in our hormone levels (hormones are small molecules that send messages to our body). This is a time when someone can:
Achieve sexual maturity—this includes development of external sex characteristics and the ability to reproduce/have children.
Achieve a large portion of their growth spurt and get closer to their adult height.
Have fluctuations in body temperature, body odor, mood changes and skin changes like acne.
As pediatricians, we understand it can be difficult to keep up with the ever-changing standards of what can be considered “normal” VS “not-so-normal” with respect to puberty. We’re hoping that by providing you with some up-to-date information about what to expect, we can put your minds at ease.
Here are some important notes about puberty in girls and boys:
For GIRLS:
Breast development normally begins between the ages of 8 to 13 years. It is typically the first sign of puberty.
Breast development can start with one breast, while the other can come later (or both can happen at the same time). Breast development can be quite painful! This is normal.
A girl’s first menstrual period typically occurs about 2 years after her breasts have begun to show noticeable growth.
On average, girls will have their first menstrual period around 12-13 years of age. Sometimes a girl’s period timing will mimic her mother’s.
Girls will also develop hair in their underarms and pubic hair as well.
For BOYS:
The first sign of puberty in boys is enlargement of testicles—this will usually begin between the ages of 9 and 14 years.
Growth spurts in boys will typically begin between the ages of 13 and 15 years.
Boys will also typically develop facial hair and hair in their underarm, pubic, and chest areas a little bit later during puberty.
Boys may also notice that they develop some sort of breast growth—while this may seem strange, this is usually normal and occurs in about 50% of boys during puberty. This can also be painful for them.
While the above mentioned signs and given age ranges are considered “typical”, keep in mind that every child/teenager will experience puberty differently! That’s why it’s important for you to contact your pediatrician or primary care provider if there are any specific concerns that you or your developing child/teen may have about their pubertal development.
We sure hope this article helped answer some of the most common questions! Keep these points in the back of your mind as you and your child/teenager begin to notice bodily changes as they progress through puberty. As always, follow us on Instagram @thepedipals, tune into our podcast ‘The Well Child’, and let us know how we’re doing!
Here’s to raising happy, healthy, and well-balanced children and teens!
Your PediPals