Puberty

Summary

Puberty is the time in life when a boy or girl becomes sexually mature. It is a process that usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys. It causes physical changes, and affects boys and girls differently.

In girls:

• The first sign of puberty is usually breast development.
• Then hair grows in the pubic area and armpits.
• Menstruation (or a period) usually happens last.

In boys:

• Puberty usually begins with the testicles and penis getting bigger.
• Then hair grows in the pubic area and armpits.
• Muscles grow, the voice deepens, and facial hair develops as puberty continues.

Both boys and girls may get acne. They also usually have a growth spurt (a rapid increase in height) that lasts for about 2 or 3 years. This brings them closer to their adult height, which they reach after puberty.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Children

• All about Puberty (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
• Body Hair Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Boys and Puberty (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
• Breasts and Bras (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
• Changes to Your Breasts Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Timing and Stages of Puberty Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• What’s an Adam’s Apple? (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
• When Will I Get My Period? (For Kids) Nemours Foundation

Diagnosis and Tests

• Blood Test: Estradiol Nemours Foundation
• Blood Test: Testosterone Nemours Foundation
• Estrogen Levels Test National Library of Medicine
• How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Precocious Puberty and Delayed Puberty? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Teenagers

• Body Odor (For Young Men) Boston Children’s Hospital
• Body Odor (For Young Women) Boston Children’s Hospital
• Can I Stop Myself From Having a Wet Dream? (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Delayed Puberty (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Douching Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Everything You Wanted to Know about Puberty (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Gynecomastia (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Why Is My Voice Changing? (For Teens) Nemours Foundation

Specifics

• Boys and Puberty American Academy of Family Physicians
• Concerns Boys Have about Puberty American Academy of Pediatrics
• Concerns Girls Have about Puberty American Academy of Pediatrics
• Girls and Puberty American Academy of Family Physicians
• Precocious Puberty (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Talking to Your Child about Puberty Nemours Foundation

Genetics

• Central precocious puberty: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Familial male-limited precocious puberty: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Puberty National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• Delayed puberty in boys Medical Encyclopedia
• Delayed puberty in girls Medical Encyclopedia
• Precocious puberty Medical Encyclopedia
• Puberty in boys Medical Encyclopedia
• Puberty in girls Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• KidsHealth Nemours Foundation

Start Here

• For Parents: What to Expect When Your Child Goes through Puberty American Academy of Family Physicians
• Physical Development: What’s Normal? What’s Not? American Academy of Pediatrics
• Understanding Puberty (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• What Are Normal Puberty, Precocious Puberty, and Delayed Puberty? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Journal Articles

• Puberty

Treatments and Therapies

• What Are Common Treatments for Problems of Puberty? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Symptoms

• What Are the Symptoms of Puberty, Precocious Puberty, and Delayed Puberty? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development