When does puberty start?

Puberty! That word always sparks funny childhood memories, awkward moments, and a rollercoaster of emotions. But when does puberty start? How do you know if it has started or not? What happens during puberty? Don’t worry; we’ve got all your questions covered.

The Definition of Puberty

Before diving deep on when puberty starts, let’s clarify what puberty is. Let us pull out the dictionary (yes, folks still use those) for this one:

Puberty – the stage in life at which males and females become sexually mature and develop secondary sex characteristics.

Now that that’s done let us jump straight to the topic at hand.

Age Range for Puberty

As much as parents don’t want their children to grow up too quickly or live life like they’re Peter Pan; alas age waits for no man. It appears age doesn’t wait for teenagers either because signs of puberty can start earlier than most people think.

Girls

Girls are generally two years ahead in physical development compared to boys so buckle up ladies cause here comes some news:

  1. According to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), girls enter into precocious (that means early) pubertal stages between ages eight and nine.
  2. By 11-14 years old=girls hit full-blown ‘puber-tay’.
  3. Most girls will be fully developed by late teens/early twenties aka say bye-bye acne phase!

Boys

Boys are comparatively later bloomers but according to studies conducted beyond 2006 individual cases may vary.Fasten your seat belts as this decade might blow our minds with changes :

1.By nine-two-thirteen ={when posted}a growth spurt//voice-changing starter pack & overall appearance overhaul would begin.
2.Almost everyone should be able shave facial hair by about eighteen-{for a smooth look}.

The First Sign of Puberty

Puberty is the season for changes (everyone say hooray). But before any great transformation changes take place, you have to know where it all begins.

Girls

Attention ladies: It starts with preparing a calendar because the first sign might be:

  1. Tracking Menstrual cycle which may begin and continue but not restricted after their pubertal development stage.{yes-time to hit supermarket shelves}
  2. Helping your peers overcome anxiety issues due to societal standards by building support group initiatives {#womenempowerment}

Boys

Gentlemen don’t worry, life has got something brewing for you two which are:

1.Adopting exercise routine and consulting doctors/therapists if necessary.
3.Nurturing mental health to fight toxic masculinity/stereotypes prevailing in society {mental wellness should become primary importance as much like physical}

Do Genetics Play a Role?

What’s genetics got anything related puberty? Ohh let me tell ya!

Yes! Genes make up our DNA hence usually play an important role through-out our life whether we want them or not-and that includes PUBERTY.

There’s been plenty of research in this area so here some easiest ways peeps can understand timing better:

  • Height/weight could indicate upcoming mood swings because of hormonal changes.(So parental unitss prepare yourselves)
  • Parents who had early bloomers themselves will most likely see their children grow earlier too{blame that on inheritance qualities}

Understanding Puberty In One Diagram

Hey,having trouble getting a picture of puberty’s working under stress? Look no further as below here we help(sounds kinda serious since there so many bullet points..)

Changes during female puberty:
|Relatively late/pubertal phase |Progression period |
|—————————–|———————————-|
|Breast budding |Growth Spurt |
|Pubic Hair growth |Widening of hips |
|Menarche( let’s say it, the A word) |The end point to female puberty|

Changes during male puberty:

  • Growth spurt
  • Pubic Hair growth
  • Muscle mass enhancing {YAY Drips with sarcasm for that 13 year old need of being buff}
  • Skin changes aka acne-pocalypse(alas one has arrived,yet another season who knew?!).

So When Will My Child Be Fully Developed?

As a parent, you kind of get prepared when things will settle down right? Like, can we just calm down and go back to watching masterchef reruns instead?

Well unfortunately there is no manual here. Most girls are fully developed by their late teens or early twenties whereas most guys will have hit their peak between ages 16 and 18.

But hey! Even though everyone becomes sexually mature from menarche (A word used for menstruation in technical language)? -women’s reproductive systems usually develop till mid-thirties so girl lets not lose hope shall we?

Final Thoughts

Phew! We made it through puberty talk without cringing too much (or on second thought maybe I did). For parents reading this: Let your child grow at its own pace while providing support every step of the way. Think about ways that could help them overcome anxieties pertaining to any emotional/physical/pubertal turmoils.

In short,cue existential crisis…PUBERTY HAPPENS PEOPLE!

Gone are our days knowing what innocence truly feels like..sigh.

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