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By Eve Glicksman, Staff Writer
Could your little girl need a bra already? Is that deep voice really your youngest son's?
A child's puberty can take you by surprise, even when it's right on time. Most girls start to mature physically between the ages of 8 and 13; boys, between 9 and 14. The pituitary gland, at the base of the brain, releases the hormones that jumpstart a child's sexual development. The result is a combination of physical, emotional and social changes that can rock the world of both parent and child.
The sequence of maturation is usually the same for everyone. The age and speed at which a child goes through the changes will vary, though. On average, girls start puberty at age 11 and boys at age 12. African-American and Hispanic children tend to start six months earlier than other kids.
In girls, the first sign of puberty is usually breast development. Boys will first notice an increase in the size of their penis and testicles.
Signs of puberty
Brace yourself. Your child is about to become a young woman or man if you see these signs:
- Pubic hair
- A growth spurt
- Armpit hair
- Acne
- Underarm body odor
- Mood changes
- Muscle development
Other signs of puberty are gender-specific:
In girls
- Breasts develop
- Hips widen
- Body fat mass increases
- Menstruation starts
In boys
- Testicles, penis, prostate and scrotum enlarge
- Muscle mass increases and shoulders broaden
- Larynx gets bigger and voice deepens
- Facial hair and maybe chest hair appears
Most girls have completed this sequence by age 14, while boys take another year or two. But they still have some growing to do. When puberty is complete, your child will have reached adult height. This may not occur until age 18.
Early bloomers and late bloomers
Some children mature much earlier or later than others. This pattern can actually run in families. In most cases, it's not a medical problem. Check with your doctor, though, if your child isn't following the normal timetable.
Precocious puberty.
About one percent of children start puberty before age 9. "Precocious puberty" is the term used when sexual characteristics appear in boys younger than 9 or girls younger than 8.
Delayed puberty.
About one percent of girls at age 13 and boys at age 14 show no signs of sexual development yet. It may be a sign of delayed puberty if a girl hasn't developed any breast tissue by age 14 or has not gotten her period for five or more years after her breasts develop. Delayed puberty in boys is a possibility when there is no testicle development by age 14 or male sexual organs are not mature five years after they start to develop.
In cases of early or delayed puberty, your doctor may want to run tests to rule out a medical problem. Medication or surgery (in the rare instance of a tumor) may be prescribed if a medical cause is involved.
What else to expect?
You've heard the warnings. Adolescence can be a turbulent time for all. Libidos are in place now. Kids become more independent and sometimes rebellious during puberty. These major physical changes will affect your child's self-image as well as his or her relationships with family, friends and the world at large.
Be sure your teen knows that these changes he or she is experiencing are normal. And if you haven't had "the talk" yet, there's no more postponing a discussion about sex and pregnancy. Your child is all grown up now - ready or not.
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This article was reviewed and updated
08-01-2009.
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