Planned Parenthood wrote that puberty is when girls' bodies begin changing into women's bodies. Puberty usually starts between ages eight and 13 according to KidsHealth.org.
This wide range in ages explains why some girls look like kids while others look more like adults. WebMD added that girls reach puberty and sexual maturity earlier than boys.
Pubertal changes can’t be predicted. With some girls, they happen gradually. With others, many happen at the same time. Estrogen is one of the hormones triggering these changes says WebMD.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said that often the first sign of puberty is breast development which can be small, tender lumps under one or both nipples.
While breast development may be the first pubertal sign in some girls, others might first notice pubic hair. The initial growth of pubic hair produces soft hair in a small area around the genitals said Children’s Hospital Boston.
This hair spreads, becoming darker and coarser. Girls may also grow hair on their legs and under their arms.
WebMD reported that girls begin gaining about 17 to 18 percent of their adult height starting around age nine. Their limbs grow first, then their torso. AAP said that not only do girls get taller, their hips get wider, and their waists get smaller.
Their bodies also begin building up fat in the belly, bottom, and legs. Children’s Hospital Boston went on to report that between the ages of 10-14, girls may gain 15 to 55 pounds and may grow anywhere from 2 to 10 inches.
Soon after breast development, most girls get their first menstrual period. WebMD reported that this usually happens between ages 12 and 13, but menstruation can start earlier or later.
Menstruation is when the body releases an egg from the ovaries said Children’s Hospital Boston. If the egg is fertilized with male’s sperm, a baby starts growing inside the uterus.
If it’s not fertilized, the unneeded uterine tissues are shed through the vagina as fluid. The fluid is bloody and typically is released monthly.
After beginning menstruation, girls are able to get pregnant. AAP wrote that a menstrual period lasts from three to seven days.
As hormones increase during puberty, girls also may develop oily skin, increased sweating and acne.
In addition to physical changes, puberty brings emotional changes as well. Planned Parenthood said that girls may start having more sexual thoughts and urges during puberty.
They may have more intense feelings or experience sudden mood changes. AVERT.org said that these are partly caused by the increasing amount of hormones.
KidsHealth.org cautioned that everyone is different. It’s important that girls remember during puberty, girls’ bodies change at their own pace. And all the changes are normal.
Sources:
Puberty, Periods and Girls. AVERT.org by Avert. Web 23 Jan 2012
http://www.avert.org/puberty-girls.htm
All About Puberty. KidsHealth.org by the Nemours Foundation. Web 23 Jan 2012.
http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/body_stuff/puberty.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticle
Schiedel, Bonnie. "Parent's Guide to Puberty: How Girls Develop Physically and Emotionally - Kaboose.com." Healthy Active Kids: Kaboose is Your Resource For Expert Kids' Health Advice to Care for Children - Kaboose.com. Disney, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2012.
http://health.kaboose.com/kids-health/puberty-girls-and.html
Ages and Stages: What’s Happening to My Body? HealthyChildren.org by American Academy of Pediatrics. Web 23 Jan 2012.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/pages/Whats-Happening-to-my-Body.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token
Puberty and Girls: What to Expect When Girls Hit Puberty. WebMD.com by WebMD, LLC. Web 23 Jan 2012.
http://teens.webmd.com/girls/facts-about-puberty-girls
Puberty for Girls. PlannedParenthood.org by Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. Web 23 Jan 2012.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/info-for-teens/our-bodies/puberty-girls-33800.htm
Puberty for Girls. ChildrensHospital.org by Children’s Hospital Boston. Web 23 Jan 2012.
http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1498/mainpageS1498P1.html
Reviewed January 25, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith