Your daughter is asking about getting her first bra, and your
son comes home from soccer practice smelling like he's been
digging on a road crew all day. What's going on?
Welcome to puberty, the time when kids sprout up, fill out, and
maybe even mouth off.
Puberty was awkward enough when
you
were the one going through it. So how can you help your child
through all the changes?
Stages of Puberty
Sure, most of us know the telltale signs of puberty - hair
growth in new places, menstruation, body odor, lower voice in boys,
breast growth in girls, etc. But we may not fully comprehend the
science behind all of these changes. Here's a quick look at how
it works.
Usually after a girl's 8th birthday or after a boy turns 9
or 10, puberty begins when an area of the brain called the
hypothalamus starts to release gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH). When GnRH travels to the pituitary gland (a small gland
under the brain that produces hormones that control other glands
throughout the body), it releases two more puberty hormones -
luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH).
What happens next depends on gender:
-
Boys:
Hormones travel through the bloodstream to the testes (testicles)
and give the signal to begin production of sperm and the hormone
testosterone.
-
Girls:
Hormones go to the ovaries (the two oval-shaped organs that lie
to the right and left of the uterus) and trigger the maturation
and release of eggs and the production of the hormone estrogen,
which matures a female's body and prepares her for
pregnancy.
At about the same time, the adrenal glands of both boys and
girls begin to produce a group of hormones called adrenal
androgens. These hormones stimulate the growth of pubic and
underarm hair in both sexes.
For a Boy
The physical changes of puberty for a boy usually start with
enlargement of the testicles and sprouting of pubic hair, followed
by a growth spurt between ages 10 and 16 - on average 1 to 2 years
later than when girls start. His arms, legs, hands, and feet also
grow faster than the rest of his body. His body shape will begin to
change as his shoulders broaden and he gains weight and muscle.
A boy may become concerned if he notices tenderness or swelling
under his nipples. This temporary development of breast tissue is
called gynecomastia and it happens to about 50% of boys during
puberty. But it usually disappears within 6 months or so.
And that first crack in the voice is a sign that his voice is
changing and will become deeper.
Dark, coarse, curly hair will also sprout just above his penis
and on his scrotum, and later under his arms and in the beard area.
His penis and testes will get larger, and erections, which a boy
begins experiencing as an infant, will become more frequent.
Ejaculation - the release of sperm-containing semen - will also
occur.
Many boys become concerned about their penis size. A boy may
need reassurance, particularly if he tends to be a later developer
and he compares himself with boys who are further along in puberty.
If a boy is circumcised, he may also have questions about the skin
that covers the tip of an uncircumcised penis.
For a Girl
Puberty generally starts earlier for girls, some time between 8
and 13 years of age. For most girls, the first evidence of puberty
is breast development, but it can be the growth of pubic hair. As
her breasts start to grow, a girl will initially have small, firm,
tender lumps (called buds) under one or both nipples; the breast
tissue will get larger and become less firm in texture over the
next year or two. Dark, coarse, curly hair will appear on her labia
(the folds of skin surrounding the vagina), and later, similar hair
will begin growing under her arms.
The first signs of puberty are followed 1 or 2 years later by a
noticeable growth spurt. Her body will begin to build up fat,
particularly in the breasts and around her hips and thighs, as she
takes on the contours of a woman. Her arms, legs, hands, and feet
will also get bigger.
The culminating event will be the arrival of menarche, her first
period
(menstruation). Depending on the age at which they begin their
pubertal development, girls may get their first period between the
ages of 9 and 16.
Common Puberty Concerns
The physical changes kids experience as they move toward
adulthood often are accompanied by
emotional consequences
.
Some girls are excited about their budding breasts and new
training bras; others may worry that all eyes are focused on their
breasts. Some boys love the sight of themselves all lathered up
with shaving cream; others may be uncomfortable with the attention
they get for a few new shoots of hair.
Pimples are common for most teens.
Acne
is caused by glands in the skin that produce a natural oil called
sebum. Puberty hormones make the glands produce extra sebum, which
can clog the pores. Washing gently with water and mild soap can get
rid of excess sebum and help reduce breakouts.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications are available for
more severe cases of acne. Your family doctor can recommend a
dermatologist (a doctor specializing in skin) if basic skin care
and OTC medications don't keep acne under control.
Kids who once associated bath time with play need to learn to
wash regularly and to apply deodorant or antiperspirant. A teen
who's learning to use shave will need instructions on how to
keep it clean, to throw a disposable one away before it becomes
dull and ineffective, and to not share it with others.
Boys, capable of having erections since infancy, can now
experience ejaculation. The first ejaculation usually occurs
between the ages of 11 and 15, either spontaneously in connection
with sexual fantasies, during masturbation, or as a nocturnal
emission (also called a wet dream). If he doesn't know about
wet dreams before he has one, a boy may think he has urinated
accidentally or that something has gone wrong with his body.
As kids mature physically and emotionally, they become
increasingly curious about their sexuality and their own bodies.
Although infants and younger children do touch their own genitals
from time to time because they like the way it feels, masturbation
is more common in older kids, from the preadolescent and teen years
and beyond.
As far as the myths and beliefs about masturbation: No ... it
won't cause kids to grow hair on their hands, become infertile,
go blind, or develop new emotional problems. A small number of kids
and teens with
already existing
emotional problems may become preoccupied with masturbation - just
as they may become overly occupied with other behaviors or
thoughts. Constant or obsessive masturbation may be a sign of
anxiety or other emotional problem.
But, other than that, masturbation is generally considered by
doctors to be a common form of normal sexual self-exploration.
Although some preteens and teens may choose to masturbate, others
may not.
Talking to Kids About Puberty
Because masturbation is often considered a private topic, many
kids might feel too embarrassed to talk about it because
they're concerned that their parents will be angry or
disappointed with them. Some kids may prefer to talk to older
siblings, friends, or their doctors than a parent. If you continue
to be concerned or have questions about masturbation, consult your
doctor.
Boys and girls can see these changes happening to each other -
in some cases, they can smell them. It's important to
talk to your child
about how bodies change - sooner, rather than later.
Be prepared to talk to a girl about the expected events of
puberty, including menstruation, when you see the first signs of
breast development, or earlier if she seems ready or has questions.
A boy should know about normal penile development, erections, and
nocturnal emissions before age 12 - sooner, if he's an early
developer. And it's also important to talk to your child about
what's happening to members of the opposite sex.
It's best not to have "The Talk" as one grand
summit but rather as a series of talks, ideally beginning when your
child is young and starting to ask questions about body parts. Each
time you talk, offer more and more detail, depending upon your
child's maturity level and interest in the topic.
And, if your child has a question, answer it honestly. If you
feel uncomfortable, need answers to questions, or are uncertain
about how to have these talks with your child, ask your doctor for
advice.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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