Puberty and adolescence

Every month (approximately), an ovary releases one egg (ovum). This egg travels along the Fallopian tube, which connects the ovary to the uterus. In about 3 or 4 days, the egg reaches the uterus. During this time, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) begins to thicken by filling with blood and fluid. This happens so that if the egg is fertilized, it can grow in this thickened lining to produce a baby.

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The egg can become fertilized if unprotected sexual intercourse occurs during this fertile time. When a sperm cell (from the man) and an egg (from the woman) join, a pregnancy occurs.

If the egg is not fertilized, it dissolves and the endometrium sloughs off and out of the uterus, and passes out of the body through the vagina. This is the menstrual flow. In between the menstrual periods, there may be a clear or whitish vaginal discharge. This is normal.

Menstrual cycles occur over about one month (28 to 32 days). At first, the menstrual periods typically are irregular. The girl may go 2 months between periods, or may have two periods in one month. Over time, they become more regular.

The girl may want to keep track of when she has a menstrual period, and how long the period lasts, on a calendar. This can help her to see what her individual pattern is, and can help her predict when she will have the next menstrual period.

Generally, the different phases of the menstrual cycle are not uncomfortable and the majority of girls will not notice any problems. Cramping, when present, is usually mild. Severe menstrual cramping should be evaluated by a physician.

There may, however, be other cyclic changes -- for example, just before or during a menstrual period the girl may feel moody or emotional, and her body may feel puffy or swollen (bloated). PMS (premenstrual syndrome) may begin to develop, especially as the girl gets older.

In girls, maturation is usually complete by age 17. Any increases in height beyond this age are uncommon. Although full physical maturity has been reached at this time, educational and emotional maturity remain ongoing. It is important to remember that fertility (often present as early as age 12) precedes emotional maturity and pregnancy can, and often does, occur before an adolescent is equipped for parenthood.

PUBERTY IN BOYS

Puberty usually occurs in boys between ages 13 and 15. Unlike girls, there is no clearcut sign that tells a boy that he has entered puberty. However, boys will normally experience:

accelerated growth, especially height
increased shoulder width
growth of the penis, scrotum (accompanied by reddening and folding of the skin), and testes
voice changes
pubic, beard, and armpit hair growth
nighttime ejaculations (nocturnal emissions or "wet dreams")