Puberty is the time in which a child's sexual and physical characteristics mature. It occurs due to hormone changes.

Adolescence is the period between puberty and adulthood.

Maturation - sexual; Adolescence; Reproductive development; Sexual maturation; Menarche; Adrenarche

The exact age a child enters puberty depends on a number of different things, such as genes, nutrition, and gender. During puberty, endocrine glands produce hormones that cause body changes and the development of secondary sex characteristics.

• In girls, the ovaries begin to increase production of estrogen and other female hormones.
• In boys, the testicles increase production of testosterone.

The adrenal glands produce hormones that cause increased armpit sweating, body odor, acne, and armpit and pubic hair. This process is called adrenarche. The child will often need an underarm deodorant or antiperspirant during this time.

PUBERTY IN GIRLS

Breast development is the main sign that a girl is entering puberty. The first menstrual period (menarche) usually follows within about 2 years.

Before the first menstrual period, a girl will normally have:

Images

Male reproductive anatomy

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Puberty and adolescence Prevention

Review Date: 11/02/2010
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children’s Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)