Physical Changes During Puberty

What does puberty refer to?

Adolescence and puberty are two different concepts that are often confused with one another. On the one hand, adolescence is a period in life that is psychosocial in nature. On the other hand, puberty is a universal biological event. In other words, adolescence occurs according to one’s own culture, whereas puberty occurs independently of culture.

Félix Guillén, the chief editor of the Iberoamerican Journal of Exercise and Sports, defines puberty as the set of physical changes that, over the course of the second decade of life, transform the infant body into an adult body with the ability to reproduce. This process lasts between three and four years.

The age when the first physical changes of puberty begin varies, essentially, according to sex. The average starting point of puberty in boys is around the age of 12, while in girls it’s between 10 and 11.

Just the same, among members of the same sex, the beginning of puberty can vary greatly. For example, some girls will not experience menarche – their first menstruation – until the age of 13, while others can have their first period when they’re 9 years old.

What are the physical changes that take place during puberty?

During childhood, the bodies of boys are girls are practically alike, except for their primary sexual characteristics. However, the bodies of both sexes begin to manifest a series of changes that result in profound differences by the end of puberty.

The most visible physical change is growth. On the one hand, puberty gives way to what we commonly call “growth spurts”. These refer to changes that occur in the endocrine system affecting the length and shape of the body, as well as the relationship between its parts. On the other hand, children develop their reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics.

Physical changes during puberty begin with the appearance of a series of hormones or an increase in hormones that individuals already possess. These changes begin some years earlier in girls than in boys and, although some of the changes are similar, others are profoundly different.

Physical changes during puberty in girls

• On average, girls grow between 2 and 8 inches during puberty and stop growing around the ages of 16 or 17.
• Another one of the primary visible signs during puberty in girls is the development of breasts. It’s possible for one breast to grow at a different rate than the other and girls may experience sensitivity in the area, but this is all normal.
• The bodies of girls change and become more and more similar to a women’s body. Their adipose tissue redistributes in such a way that their thighs become rounder and their hips become wider.
• Hair begins to appear in some areas, such as the external genitals and armpits.
• Girls get their menarche – their first period – which is the elimination of the lining of their uterus each month.

Physical changes during puberty in boys

• On average, boys grow between 4 and 12 inches during puberty and, in general, they stop growing between the ages of 18 and 20.
• Their external genitals start to grow. And, just like breasts in girls, the growth of one testicle may occur at a faster rate than the other.

• Both in the pubic region as well as their faces, arms, and the rest of their bodies, hair starts to become darker and thicker.
• The growth of their extremities can be irregular. Their head, hands, or arms may grow faster than their chests and shoulders.
• The production of testosterone increases, which stimulates the testicles to produce sperm.
• During this period, boys experience their first erections and ejaculations, which can lead to episodes where they experience nocturnal emissions (wet dreams).
• Last, in the larynx, the Adam’s apple becomes more prominent in boys. As a result, their voice becomes lower and sounds more like that of an adult.

How does puberty affect individuals?

The physical changes that occur during puberty bear a great influence on a personal level, as they can affect children’s self-concept and personality. It’s possible that during this period, boys and girls feel more sure of their own bodies, while on the other hand they can also feel shame and even anxiety.

Therefore, it’s important to give them the information they need a bit before the onset of puberty. This information may come from home or school, or both. And what’s more, children need to receive all the support they need during this time.