Puberty
What is puberty?
Puberty is a normal part of life. It’s a time of rapid growth and development as all the major organs and body systems, including the reproductive system, mature. Puberty is driven by changes in certain hormones in the body, which begin when a child is mid-way through primary school.
When does puberty start?
While puberty is different for everyone, on average girls start puberty anywhere between the ages of 8 and 13, while boys begin puberty somewhere between 11 and 13 years. Puberty can last for several years and involves many physical and emotional changes.
When the body is ready to go through puberty it releases a special hormone called GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone). When GnRH reaches the pituitary gland (located just under the brain), it triggers the release of two more puberty hormones into the bloodstream — luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) — which everyone has in their bodies. However, these hormones work differently in girls and boys.
What happens to girls in puberty?
In girls, LH and FSH target the ovaries and stimulate them to produce another hormone called oestrogen. The ovaries are where the female eggs are stored. While there are around 1 million eggs at birth, only 300,000 are left at the time of puberty. Oestrogen, LH and FSH work together to cause a girl’s body to mature so she can fall pregnant (reproduce) at some stage in her life. Physical changes that happen during puberty include:
an increase in height
development of curves and a widening of the hips
oilier skin which may break out in pimples or acne
hair growth in the pubic area and under the arms
body odour becomes noticeable
the formation of breasts which may be tender — the first stage of breast growth is called ‘budding’
white mucous-like vaginal discharge
the start of menstruation (periods) which can be irregular for the first couple of years and be accompanied by period pain (cramps)
What happens to boys in puberty
In boys, LH and FSH travel to the testes and trigger the release of the hormone, testosterone. They also trigger the production of sperm, which are needed to fertilise the female egg in reproduction. As a result, physical changes that happen to boys include:
an increase in height
the body develops muscle
oilier skin which may break out in pimples or acne
hair growth in the pubic area, under the arms and on the face
body odour becomes noticeable
the voice deepening or ‘breaking’
growth of the penis and testicles
erections
wet dreams (ejaculating during sleep)
breast tenderness and some growth which will eventually go away
Emotions during puberty
Puberty can be a very confusing time. As well as all the physical changes that are going on, changing levels of hormones may also cause emotional upheaval.
To make things even more complex, the part of the brain that is responsible for regulating emotions, reasoning and decision-making is often the last area to develop. This means that young people often feel like their emotions are out of control, as they don’t have the mental capacity to cope with them yet.
During this time, it’s very normal for young people going through puberty to:
begin to feel attracted to or have a sexual interest in other people
feel self-conscious about their looks, especially if acne is a problem
compare themselves with their peers
feel a range of strong or intense emotions that change quickly or randomly (e.g. anger, frustration, moodiness and general irritability)
feel scared or alone
feel stressed or anxious
Puberty is also a time when energy and sleep patterns change, which can further influence mood. Along with the child’s increasing awareness of self and how they fit in with the world, puberty can be a difficult path to navigate!
How to support someone going through puberty?
The good news is that puberty doesn’t last forever! And there are a lot of things you can do to support someone going through this transition. You can:
stay calm, especially if their emotions seem out of control or irrational
reassure them that you’re a safe person they can talk to
listen and acknowledge their feelings
allow them space to process their feelings
reassure them that what they are feeling and experiencing is normal
work with them to develop strategies to navigate and manage their emotions, or lighten the mood
continue to maintain clear rules, boundaries and expectations
encourage healthy sleeping routines and eating habits as puberty is a time when your child needs lots of energy and good nutrition
consider vitamin supplements if their diet is inadequate, but speak to your doctor or Pharmacist first
understand that this is also a time when your child starts to become more independent
respect their need for privacy and personal space
avoid talking about or judging the changes in their body, unless they want to talk about it
model positive body acceptance and the idea that bodies come in all shapes and sizes
model a healthy lifestyle for your child
praise them for positive behaviours and make the most of ‘up’ times
discuss periods with your daughter before she goes through puberty and ensure she has sanitary items for home and school, and she knows how to use them
discuss wet dreams with your son before he goes through puberty so he understands what they are and what to do if he has one
seek help or assistance for issues that may make them feel self-conscious such as painful periods, acne or body odour
When should you see a doctor?
Usually there’s no need to see a doctor when your child goes through puberty. Even if puberty doesn’t start around the average age it’s not normally cause for concern. However, you may want to speak to your GP if:
puberty begins before 8 or has not started by 14
your daughter hasn’t had a period by 16 or 17 years of age
You may also wish to speak to your doctor if:
your child experiences severe breakouts or acne — they may need a referral to a skin specialist
your daughter has heavy or painful periods
you’re worried about your child’s mood. Signs there may be a problem include:.
negative moods that last more than two weeks
significant changes in behaviour, feelings and thoughts
emotions and mood are affecting home, school or friendships
Your local MediADVICE Pharmacist is available to help you manage the health of your family and support you during times of change. Speak to your MediADVICE Pharmacist about your child’s experience, so we can reassure you and recommend products and medications that may be suitable for your child, or refer you to a doctor if necessary. We also stock a range of toiletry items that can help support your child as they transition through puberty.
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