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Puberty

Puberty describes the physical and emotional changes that a girl or boy go through making them adults and capable of reproducing (having children). Both boys and girls start puberty around age 12 and finish around age 18, although in girls this process might start and finish earlier.

 

Changes during male puberty


  • An increase in size of the scrotum and testis followed by growth of the penis

  • Hair growth: Starts with hair growth in the pubic area (groin) and is followed (this can take up to two years) by hair growth in the armpits, face and torso. Some boys grow hair later than others; it is not an indicator of how manly they are

  • Body shape changes and growth spurt: shoulders and jaw get more square, torso, arms and legs may become more muscular. This normally happens 1 year after the penis started growing

  • Voice change, due to growth of the vocal cords under influence of male hormones

  • Penis erections (penis ‘stands up’) and the ability to ejaculate semen (containing sperm). The first ejaculation is approximately one year after the penis started growing; during puberty this might happen unexpectedly and especially during sleep (nocturnal emissions). Remember: Once a boy begins to produce sperm and ejaculates, he is able to cause a pregnancy
  • Change in body odor can occur because of hormone production

  • Acne, skin problems can occur because of hormone production

 

 

Changes during female puberty



  • The formation of breasts which during pregnancy will produce milk to feed the baby after its birth

  • Body shape changes and browth spurt: hips get wider, thighs, stomach might get more round

  • Hair growth: groin, armpits, hair increase on legs and arms

  • Change in body odor can occur because of hormone production

  • Acne, skin problems can occur because of hormone production

  • Whitish secretions from the vagina occur because of hormone production

  • About 2 years after the breast start growing, menstruation (blood secretions from the uterus) start occurring monthly. This is an indicator that a girl is able to get pregnant. A girl's reproductive system has cycles of about 1 month (see chart below).  Every month one of the eggs in the girls ovary ripens and gets released (ovulation), if this egg is not fertilized by a sperm then it disintegrates along with the lining of the uterus (which was thickened with blood and a mucus like material in preparation for the baby) and leaves the uterus (menstruation).  If a girl is pregnant she will therefore not menstruate. Generally menstruation lasts about 5 to 7 days. Sanitary pads are available in most shops and pharmacies for this. During menstruation you should always make sure you keep your genital area clean and change sanitary pad regularly to avoid infections.


Male Puberty usually starts around age 12 and end around age 18.

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