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Puberty is the time in life when a young person starts to become sexually mature. Your child will experience many changes in their body during this time. For biological females, puberty usually occurs between ages 10 to 14, and for biological males, between ages 12 to 16.

 Puberty is a process that goes on for several years.

Path to improved health

You can help your child go through puberty by talking positively to them about what changes mean and what to expect. Let your child know the changes are normal. Also, offer to help your child. Show them how to correctly apply deodorant.

You’ll know your child has entered puberty when these things happen:

For biological females:

• Breasts development
• Armpit, leg, and pubic hair
• First menstrual period
• Acne
• Sweating and body odor

For biological males:

• Testicles and penis increase in size
• Armpit, face, and public hair
• The development of some breast tissue
• Deepening voice
• Muscles strength
• Acne
• Sweating and body odor

Signs of puberty often don’t happen at the same time. For example, some may develop breasts at a young age but have no other signs of puberty for a while. Some may grow armpit and pubic hair long before they show other signs of puberty. These pattern changes are common.

Watch for signs of puberty in your child. And ask your child to share with you when they notice new signs. As your child grows, it’s best to take them to their healthcare provider once a year for a check-up. As your child gets older, the healthcare provider can track your child’s puberty patterns. These appointments also give your child a chance to ask the healthcare provider questions about the changes happening in their body.

Things to Consider

Some people experience puberty much earlier or later than other children. Both early and late puberty can run in families.

Precocious puberty

This is puberty that happens early. In most cases, early puberty is just a variation of normal puberty. In a few cases, there may be a medical reason for early puberty. You may want to contact your healthcare provider if a young female develops breasts and pubic hair before 7 or 8 years of age.  You may want to contact your healthcare provider if a young male has an increase in testicle or penis size before 9 years of age.

Delayed puberty

Sometimes (but not always) a medical reason causes delayed puberty. For example, malnutrition (not eating enough of the right kinds of food) can cause delayed puberty.

Puberty may be late in biological females who have the following signs:

• No development of breast tissue by age 15
• No periods for 5 years or more after the first appearance of breast tissue.

Puberty may be late in biological males who have the following signs:

• No testicle development by age 14
• Development of the male organs isn’t complete by 5 years after they first start to develop.

Talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you think your child has delayed puberty. Your child  may have a physical exam.  The healthcare provider may order some tests to help find out the reason for the delay.

These are some tests your healthcare provider might order for your child:

• Blood tests to check hormone levels
• An X-ray of the wrist to see if bone growth is normal
• A CT or MRI scan (special pictures) of the head to look for a tumor or brain injury
• Chromosome (gene) studies

Sometimes the cause can’t be found. When that happens, no treatment is needed. Sometimes, a cause is found. Those can usually be treated. For example, if your child doesn’t have right level of hormones, hormone medication may help.

Emotional changes

Many people will experience a wider range of emotions when they begin puberty. Sometimes it will feel like a “storm” of emotions, ranging from irritability to sadness. Your child may experience confidence issues for the first time in their life. Fortunately, emotions start to level out by the end of puberty. Most of the time, your child won’t have long-lasting issues with their emotions during puberty. However, if your child’s mood is more troubling than what you expect, or they seem depressed or has thoughts of hurting themself or others, contact your child’s healthcare provider right away.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

About Kids Health

http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/DevelopmentalStages/Tweens/Pages/default.aspx