Adolescent Gyn Concerns Health Channel

Definition

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

Adolescence is the period between puberty and adulthood.

Alternative Names

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

Information

The exact age a child enters puberty depends on a number of different things, such as a person's genes, nutrition, and gender. During puberty, various 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. An underarm deodorant or antiperspirant often becomes necessary 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:

• An increase in height
• An increase in hip size
• Clear or whitish vaginal secretions
• Pubic, armpit, and leg hair growth

Menstrual cycles occur over about one month (28 to 32 days). At first, the menstrual periods may be irregular. A girl may go 2 months between periods, or may have two periods in 1 month.