Hormones from the brain trigger the start of puberty. Hormones are chemical messengers that tell the body what to do. In males: The hormones tell the testicles to make the hormone testosterone and sperm. In females: The hormones tell the ovaries to make the hormone estrogen and triggers the growth and release of eggs.
Puberty usually begins with the testicles and penis getting bigger. Then hair grows in the pubic area and armpits. Muscles grow, the voice deepens, and facial hair develops as puberty continues.
In boys, the first puberty change is the enlargement of the scrotum and testes. At this point, the penis does not enlarge. As the testes and scrotum continue to grow, the penis grows. The first growth of pubic hair produces long, soft hair that is only in a small area around the genitals.
The average age for girls to start puberty is 11, while for boys the average age is 12. But it's perfectly normal for puberty to begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys.
Puberty is a process that takes place for several years. Most girls finish puberty by age 14. Most boys finish puberty by age 15 or 16.
How long does puberty last? In boys, puberty usually begins between ages 10 and 16. Once it begins, it lasts about 2 to 5 years. But every child is different.
Changes in Boys
They tend to grow most quickly between ages 12 and 15. The growth spurt of boys is, on average, about 2 years later than that of girls. By age 16, most boys have stopped growing, but their muscles will continue to develop.
The signs of puberty include: Growth of pubic and other body hair. Growth spurt. Breast development.
The most dangerous age is 14. If you know any teenagers this might not come as a surprise, but research has confirmed that risk-taking peaks during this exact moment in mid-adolescence.
Teens are at an important stage of their growth and development. Because of this, they need more sleep than adults.
Typically, what people call the “awkward stage” takes place at around ages 11-14, making middle school a tough time for most kids. Although we all went through this period ourselves at one point, it can still be challenging to relate to a child who's going through it in front of your eyes.
Most often, it's simply a pattern of growth and development in a family. A guy or girl may find that his or her parent, uncle, aunt, brothers, sisters, or cousins developed later than usual, too. This is called constitutional delay (or being a late bloomer), and it usually doesn't need treatment.
Puberty is usually a question of when, not if. Most cases of delayed puberty are not an actual health problem. Some kids just develop later than others - what we call a “late bloomer.” This has a medical name: “Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty.” In many of these cases, late puberty runs in the family.
High protein intake elevates IGF-1 levels and promotes growth, which could accelerate the onset of puberty. Poor diet. Children with lower-nutrient diets tend to enter puberty earlier. A diet rich in processed foods and meats, dairy, and fast food is disruptive to normal physical development.
A major growth spurt happens at the time of puberty, usually between 8 to 13 years of age in girls and 10 to 15 years in boys. Puberty lasts about 2 to 5 years.
Male puberty usually begins at about age 12. Female puberty is at about age 10. Sometimes, though, puberty can start earlier and before signs show. When male puberty starts before age 9 and female puberty before age 8, it is called precocious (pre KOH shuss) or early puberty.
Most children with delayed puberty achieve normal adult height and physical features. This can occur naturally, or with treatment. But some children also have mental health issues during their teen years because of delayed puberty. Seeing their friends growing and developing while they're not is distressing.
Premature pubarche, or the development of pubic hair before the age of 8 in girls or 9 in boys, is most commonly caused by premature adrenarche. Adrenarche is the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis in both boys and girls, resulting in the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and adult apocrine body odor.
During puberty, you might feel confused or have strong emotions that you've never experienced before. You may feel anxious about how your changing body looks. You might feel overly sensitive or become easily upset. Some teens lose their tempers more than usual and get angry at their friends or families.