Puberty is the period of physiological and biological changes in the body that marks the transition from childhood to adolescence. Changes begin to occur at age 12, but may vary based on a child’s family history and eating habits, for example.
In addition to the physical changes, which are evident at this time, the person may have large variations in mood due to increased production of hormones, testosterone, in the case of boys, and estrogen in the case of girls. If changes are not noticed or do not occur before age 13, it is recommended to consult a doctor so that the cause can be found and treatment can be initiated, which is usually done with hormone replacement.
- The age at which the first signs of puberty can vary between boys and girls.
- And can occur in girls between the ages of 8 and 13 and in boys between the ages of 9 and 14.
In girls, the most obvious sign of puberty is the first menstrual period, called menarche, which usually occurs between the ages of 12 and 13, but can vary depending on the family’s historical lifestyle. For children, the main sign of entry into puberty is the first ejaculation, which usually occurs between the ages of 12 and 13.
The following table shows the main body changes that can be seen in girls and boys at puberty:
In addition, due to hormonal changes that accompany puberty, it is also common for children to start having more oily skin, which promotes the onset of acne.
Some girls may experience body changes much earlier than normal, i.e. between the ages of 7 and 9, for example. Some factors may promote breast growth and maturation of female sex organs, such as an increase in body mass index (BMI), because the more fat accumulates in the body, the greater the stimulus of estrogen production, which is the hormone responsible. for female characteristics.
In addition, frequent exposure to chemicals in enamels and perfumes, for example, can also promote puberty, as some of its components can deregulate the endocrine system and therefore hormone production, leading to puberty.
Although many girls think it’s good for breasts to appear early, early puberty can put girls at risk, as it may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as problems. mental health, such as anxiety.
Learn more about early puberty
Common changes in adolescence may not occur when the child has a disease that directly or indirectly interferes with gonad growth or sex hormone production. Malnutrition, hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, genetic diseases such as Turner syndrome, for example, and autoimmune diseases, such as Addison’s disease, are among the conditions that delay puberty.