Girls typically grow the most during a pubertal growth spurt, often peaking around ages 10-14, and generally reach their adult height by 14 or 15 years old, usually stopping growth a year or two after their first menstrual period (menarche). Most girls grow about 1 to 2 inches after getting their period, though some may have slight growth into their late teens, with the final height depending heavily on genetics and the timing of puberty.
Girls often experience a growth spurt before and during early menstruation, but growth can continue afterward. The timing varies due to genetics and nutrition. Typically, girls stop growing taller around 16--18 years old.
growth plates in girls almost always close before 18 yo. And most girls will only grow 2.5-3 inches after beginning menstruation.
Height almost never increases after the age of 18:
The reason why height stops increasing is because the bones, specifically the growth plates in the bones, stop being active. The growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, are specialized areas of cartilage near the ends of long bones.
Most girls reach their peak height by age 16, but some may continue growing through age 20.
Scientists estimate that about 80 percent of an individual's height is determined by the DNA sequence variations they have inherited, but which genes these changes are in and what they do to affect height are only partially understood.
In fact, many important factors significantly affect a person's growth, ranging from malnutrition to the use of medications. Some girls may experience delayed height growth due to certain health conditions, such as severe arthritis, growth hormone issues, or cancer.
There isn't one single "worst" age, but many parents and studies point to 14 to 16 as particularly challenging for teenage girls, a period marked by intense puberty, body image issues, heightened social pressures (especially with social media), mood swings, and a strong push for independence that can clash with parents. Hormonal shifts, brain development (prefrontal cortex still maturing), and navigating peer/romantic experiences create a perfect storm of emotional volatility, anxiety, and conflict, with 14 often cited as a peak for social aggression.
Yes, it's completely normal. During what's commonly referred to as second puberty, your cycle may shift in ways you didn't expect. Flow, frequency, and duration can all change as your hormones begin to fluctuate. This isn't a sign that something is wrong; it's your body adjusting and communicating in real time.
Myth: menarche means the end of growth is near
Follow-up data from the Fels Longitudinal Study show that girls who start menstruating at age 10 grow, on average, 10 cm (4 inches), while those in whom menarche is delayed until age 15 grow, on average, 5 cm (2 inches).
Five signs you've stopped growing in height as a female include slowed or no height gain for a year, fully developed secondary sexual characteristics (breasts, pubic/underarm hair), a loss of "baby fat" and more adult-like facial features, reaching full breast and hip development, and having your menstruation stabilize a couple of years after starting, indicating growth plates are closing.
Growth spurts are a natural and vital part of childhood development. Peak height velocity, which is the fastest and most dramatic rapid growth phase your child will experience, typically lasts 24 to 36 months. For most children, this phase occurs between ages 10 and 14 for girls and between 12 and 16 for boys.
Science doesn't show a direct correlation between sleep quality and height. However, sleep is an essential factor in your growth since that's the time of day when the growth hormone is released. So, while sleep doesn't directly increase height, it's still an integral part of your child's development.
Based on time trends, more recent birth cohorts have their menarche earlier and grow taller. However, women with earlier menarche reach a shorter adult height compared with women who have menarche at a later age.
Accidents account for nearly one-half of all teenage deaths. As a category of accidents, motor vehicle fatality is the leading cause of death to teenagers, representing over one-third of all deaths.
In her book, Damour describes seven stages in a girl's life: parting with childhood; joining a new tribe; harnessing emotions; contending with adult authority; planning for the future; entering the romantic world; and caring for herself.
The 7-7-7 rule of parenting generally refers to dedicating three daily 7-minute periods of focused, undistracted connection with your child (morning, after school, bedtime) to build strong bonds and make them feel seen and valued. A less common interpretation involves three developmental stages (0-7 years of play, 7-14 years of teaching, 14-21 years of advising), while another offers a stress-relief breathing technique (7-second inhale, hold, exhale).
Both parents contribute approximately equally to their child's height potential. The old wives' tales about height coming predominantly from one parent are largely myths. Instead, scientists have identified that height is a polygenic trait, meaning it's influenced by many different genes working together.
2. Micronutrients Supporting Height Growth in Children
We would like to see children with short stature if their height is below the third percentile (with normal parents' heights), if their growth velocity is slow (less than 4 cm per year) or if their height is greater than or equal to 3 standard deviations below expected height based on mid-parental height.
Try this little formula for yourself with your parents' heights, and ask your friends and family to do the same. Though it's probable that your real height is close to your predicted height, this isn't always the case. It's entirely possible for two short parents to have a tall child, and vice versa.
A single night of no sleep will not stunt growth. But over the long term, a person's growth may be affected by not getting enough sleep. That's because growth hormone is normally released during sleep. If someone consistently gets too little sleep (known as "sleep deprivation"), growth hormone is suppressed.
A father's genetic code influences the weight of a baby at birth, according to a new study led by the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH).