Puberty is the name given to time course in transition between childhood and adulthood and occurs in girls between 8 and 13 years of age and in boys between 9 and 14 years. This phase is mainly marked by the development From characterssexualsecondary it's the start of the phase reproductive, of both the man and the woman. In girls, the first sign of puberty is the appearance of the so-called breast bud, while in boys it is the enlargement of the testicles.
→ Common changes in puberty
During puberty, a series of changes take place in the individual's body and lead to sexual maturation and reproduction capacity. At that moment, there is a developmentphysicist, but also mental and Social.
The onset of puberty is influenced by a number of factors, including psychological, genetic, environmental conditions and even the individual's health and nutrition. At this stage, the individual will notice, among other changes, the emergenceinby the,modificationsatoilinessgivesskin,emergenceof thebreasts in girls and
increaseoftesticle in boys. In general, we can say that, regardless of gender, the main changes that occur during puberty are:Pubertal spurt (rapid growth in height, which lasts about 2 to 4 years);
Development of the reproductive system;
Skeletal and muscular system development;
Appearance of secondary sexual characters.
It is important to highlight that adolescents of the same age may be at different stages of puberty. Thus, the body of an 11-year-old girl, for example, will not necessarily have the same characteristics as another girl of the same age.
→ male puberty
During male puberty, the appearance of facial hair is observed.
In male puberty, boys face changes in their bodies that prepare them for adulthood and make them fit for reproduction. See below the main events that occur in male puberty:
Acceleration of the speed of growth;
Increased secretion of sex hormones. In men there is a greater amount of testosterone.
Increased testicle volume;
The scrotal skin becomes reddened and changes in texture;
Penis enlargement, both in length and in diameter;
Emergence of pubic hair;
Growth of facial hair;
Increased muscle mass;
Voice changes (voice reaches deeper timbre).
Read too: Anabolics
→ female puberty
During female puberty, the first menstruation is observed, which can often be accompanied by colic.
In female puberty, there are changes in the girl's body that prepare her for adulthood and reproduction. Among the main events related to female puberty, the following stand out:
Acceleration of growth velocity;
Increased secretion of sex hormones. In women, there is a higher concentration of hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Appearance of breast buds and further development of the breasts;
Increased accumulation of fat in the hips, buttocks and thighs;
Emergence of pubic hair;
Menarche (first menstrual flow).
During female puberty, without a doubt, one of the most important and impacting points in a girl's life is menarche, that is, the first menstruation. It usually happens two years after the breasts appear. Menstruation can be defined as the desquamation of the endometrium of the uterus. Menstruation marks the beginning of the menstrual cycle, which lasts an average of 28 days.
Read too: Hormones and the menstrual cycle
→ end of puberty
puberty ends around 18 years old. At this moment, ends O growthphysicist and also the ripening of systemgenital.
→ Early puberty
THE early puberty it happens in both boys and girls and is characterized by the onset of puberty before the generally expected age. According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, precocious puberty is one that isurges before the age of 8 in girls and before the age of 9 in boys. It is estimated that precocious puberty is about 10 to 23 times more frequent in girls.
Precocious puberty can trigger some consequences, therefore, attention is needed in these cases. According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, the main consequences of precocious puberty are:
Psychological and behavioral disorders;
Increased risks of sexual abuse;
Short stature when adult;
Increased risk of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and some cancers.
Precocious puberty is treatable and will depend on its cause. Drugs that aim to delay development are usually given. Discontinuation of this treatment is done, in general, when the girl has a bone age between 12 and 12.5 years, and the boys, between 13 and 13.5 years. In some cases, surgery is needed to treat the problem.
By Ma. Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos