Puberty in girls begins when a hormone called FSH begins to secrete, which stimulates the ovaries to develop estrogen in the body. With estrogen production, secondary sexual characteristics in the female body begin to build. This can happen anytime between the ages of 8 and 14. Changes in the female body occur internally during the first years, and, little by little, they become visible on the outside. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we show the different stages of female puberty and what changes the body undergoes in each of them.
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At what age do puberty changes begin?
Puberty can be defined as the stage in which the child’s body changes to become an adult. In addition to the physical changes, there are also a series of emotional and psychological changes, which occur until they finally reach maturity.
The changes that occur in the body are because the body begins to manufacture sex hormones at the beginning of puberty. Although age can vary from one child to another, puberty changes generally start to occur from 9 to 10 in boys and from the age of 8 in girls. The different sex hormones are distributed through the blood throughout the body and cause the body to transform into that of an adult.
At this stage, significant growth is known as “lug.” In a period between 2 and 4 years, children reach 25% of the height they will be when they are adults and 40% of body weight. In addition to this, vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, or heart double in size during puberty.
Stages of puberty in girls
Now that we know at what female age puberty begins, we are going to detail below what are those changes that the body experiences:
Etapa I
Although puberty in girls begins at 8-9 years, most of the changes are internal. When a girl reaches the age of 11 or 12, one of the first symptoms will be breast development. The pigmented area around the nipple darkens during this stage. Thin pubic hair and body odor will appear, and the girl may suddenly gain height and weight.
Stage II
It starts at 12-13 years. During this time, the second symptom of female puberty is seen in hair growth. Although the beginning of pubic hair growth is seen in the previous phase, it now begins to be thicker and curlier. Hair growth also occurs in the armpits and legs. There is also significant breast growth and the appearance of vaginal discharge.
Stage III
It occurs between 13-and 14 years, when the first menstrual period usually occurs. There is no fixed age for the appearance of the period. Ovulation can also start at this stage, but it may take some time until it becomes ordinary, maybe 2-3 years. In the following article, you can read more about the signs and symptoms of the first menstruation.
Stage IV
The growth of breast tissues increases at this stage. The nipple is already beginning to protrude and is different from the areola. Pubic hair can become quite dense and thick.
Etapa V
In this stage, which occurs between 15-and 17 years, the body reaches full maturity. The girl’s height usually stagnates at this stage, along with the growth of the breast that goes adult size. On the other hand, menstruation and ovulation become regular during this period. Apart from these physical changes, most teenage girls may also have to deal with the problem of acne. In the following article, we explain the causes and treatment of juvenile acne.
In addition to the above physical changes, the adolescent may also experience emotional swings and ups and downs in her mood just before menstruation, which is caused by hormonal alterations. Among the main psychological changes of puberty are:
- Irritability.
- Sadness.
- Insomnia or trouble falling asleep.
- Loss of self-confidence and low self-esteem.
- Bad mood.
When to go to the doctor or gynecologist
In addition to knowing the stages of female puberty, it is also essential to pay attention to the adolescent’s health and behavior. It is advisable to consult with the doctor or gynecologist if:
- You have doubts about puberty.
- The periods are very abundant and long.
- The menstrual periods are irregular and not regularized over the months.
- A lot of severe pain and cramps are experienced during menstruation.
- Itching, burning, or a foul smell occurs in the vaginal area.
- There is a lot of acne.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Stages of female puberty, we recommend that you enter our Sexuality category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.