Changes at Puberty: Definition, Changes in Boys and Girls

We can often notice in children who are growing a sudden change in their height, body structure and in boys, cracking of voice. These sudden physical changes in teen boys and girls are common when they are reaching puberty. What are these, and why do they happen? These are Changes at Puberty.

Everyone has to go through this transformational stage of puberty which occurs during adolescence. Not only physical changes but mental changes also occur in a child. Proper guidance and support should be given to the teens at this stage. Parents should help their children during all these changes at puberty.

When a child reaches puberty, their bodies begin to develop and change in preparation for adulthood. Girls begin to develop breasts and start their menstrual cycles. Boys voices become deeper, and facial hair begins to grow. It is observed that the average age for girls to begin puberty is 11, while for boys the average age is 12. Continue reading to know more.

Puberty- Definition

Puberty is the period of the human body when it gets sexually matured, and some physical changes and sensations occur. It begins at the age of \(10 – 14\) yrs in girls and \(13 – 14\) yrs in boys.

Changes at Puberty

Puberty occurs when there is the release of gonadotropin hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, which stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete FSH and LH, which results in the secretion of sex hormones from gonads of both males and females. These hormones make them sexually mature.
Females secrete oestrogen hormone while boys secrete testosterone. These hormones bring the following changes to the body of teenagers.

1. Sex cells: Girls start making egg cells while boys start making sperm cells.
2. Changes in Sex organs: There is an enlargement of sex organs and labia in girls and testes and scrotum in boys.
3. Changes in body structure: Breast budding or breast size increases in girls. While in boys, it gets wider. The hip area broadens in girls, and in boys, the pelvis becomes narrow and becomes strong.
4. Changes in Height: Increase in the height of a boy is more pronounced than a girl but occurs later than a girl.
5. Changes in Voice: In males, the voice gets deeper, while in females, it becomes high pitched.
6. Nipples: Skin of the nipples of breast darkens.
7. Menstruation: Menstrual cycle begins after a year of the start of puberty in girls. The beginning of periods or the menstrual cycle is called menarche.
8. Body fats: Fat gets deposited in various areas of the body of girls like buttocks, thighs and face in girls, while in boys, it gets deposited around the shoulder.
9. Adam’s apple: Larynx grows to form Adam’s apple in boys.
10. Growth of Body hair: Growth of thick hair on the face as moustache and beard in boys takes place. Growth of chest hair is seen in boys. Thin hairs develop in the faces and bodies of both boys and girls. Growth of hair also takes place under the armpit.
11. Pubic hair: It grows around the genitals.

Fig: Changes During Puberty in Girls

Fig: Body Changes in Males During Puberty

Changes at Puberty: Girls vs Boys

Some other changes that are common to boys and girls–

1. Both boys and girls become sexually mature.
2. Hair appears in the armpit and genital area.
3. OdoUrs in the body.
4. The genital area becomes darker.
5. Oily skin develops due to the secretion of sebum from sebaceous glands to keep the skin healthy, but this secretion gets increased during puberty which causes acne and pimples.
6. Boys and girls begin to know about their changes in the body.
7. Daydreaming.

Fig: Changes During Puberty

Other Physical Changes of Puberty

1. Brain: Development of the brain during this period makes their problem-solvers, decision-makers, etc.
2. Sleep pattern: It changes for many children. They like to do their work late at night and sleep late in the morning.
3. Sweat: Body odour is more pronounced in boys than girls due to the development of sweat glands around the armpit and genitals.
4. Teeth: At the age of \(13\), a child gets their second molars, and between the age of \(14 – 25\), wisdom teeth may appear.
5. Personality: Child gets more conscious about their personality, like if they are looking good.

What Causes Changes During Puberty?

Chemicals are responsible for the above-given changes in both males and females. During puberty, there is increased secretion of sex hormones which causes changes in puberty. In males, there is increased secretion of testosterone from the testis, while in females, there is increased secretion of oestrogen from ovaries. These sex hormones make the male and female sexually mature. Puberty makes the sexually matured organisms identifiable.

Summary

Puberty is the period during which the immature reproductive system of boys and girls become mature. It begins at the age of \(10 – 14\) yrs in girls and \(13 – 14\) yrs in boys.  Some of the changes that occur during puberty in girls are breast budding, the skin of the nipples of the breast gets darkened, the menstrual cycle begins, high pitch voice, broadening of the hip. Changes of boys during puberty are the growth of thick hair on the face as moustache and beard, muscular body, low pitch and cracking voice, broadening of the shoulder, enlargement of penis and testis, etc. These changes are due to the secretion of sex hormones in boys and girls. Kids should be treated sensibly, and with more care during this time as due to hormonal changes, they are very much sensitive at this age and go through mood swings and insecurity. Parents and teachers should talk to the teens about these changes and help them to integrate some healthy habits in them like how to keep themselves clean, eating healthy foods, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided some frequently asked questions about Changes at Puberty here:

Q.1. What hormone triggers puberty?
Ans: Testosterone from testes in males and oestrogen from ovaries in females triggers puberty.

Q.2. What is the most important change in puberty?
Ans: Most important change that occurs during puberty is sexual maturity. During this period, there is the development of sex organs in both males and females, and they are able to reproduce.

Q.3. At what age do girls get pubic hair?
Ans: Pubic hair is one of the physical changes that occur in girls. This happens during \(8 – 13\) years of age.

Q.4. What is difficult about going through puberty?
Ans: Puberty brings changes in teens which are physical and emotional. There could be strong emotions or feelings for something. During this period, they may also get confused. They are sensitive towards their friends and family and get easily tempered. So, proper guidance should be given to the teen through their parents and teachers.

Q.5. What are the changes in puberty?
Ans: Following are the changes of puberty in girls:
i. Breast budding or breast size increases in girls.
ii. Skin of the nipples of breast gets darkened.
iii. Menstruation starts.
iv. There is an enlargement of sex organs and labia.
v. Voice becomes high pitched.
Following are the changes of puberty in boys:
i. Growth of thick hair on the face as moustache and beard. Also on the chest.
ii. Body becomes more muscular.
iii. Voice becomes low pitched and cracking.
iv. Larynx grows to form Adam’s apple.
v. Penis and Testis become larger.