Puberty: Adolescent Female
How much will my adolescent grow?
The teenage years are also called adolescence. During this time, the teenager will see the
greatest amount of growth in height and weight. Adolescence is a time for growth spurts and
puberty changes. An adolescent may grow several inches in several months followed by a period
of very slow growth, then have another growth spurt. Changes with puberty may occur gradually
or several signs may become visible at the same time.
There is a great amount of variation in the rate of changes that may occur. Some adolescents
may experience these signs of maturity sooner or later than others. It is important to remember
that these changes happen at different times for everyone. Being smaller or bigger than other
girls or boys is normal as each child experiences puberty at his/her own time. The following are
the average ages when puberty changes may occur:
Growth increases between 10 to 14 years:
weight: 15 to 55 pounds
height: 2 to 10 inches
Age of puberty: 8 to 13 years of age
What changes will occur during puberty?
Sexual and other physical maturation that occurs during puberty results from hormonal changes.
As the adolescent nears puberty, a gland in the brain called the pituitary gland increases the
secretion of a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone then causes
additional effects. In girls, FSH activates the ovaries to start producing estrogen. In boys, FSH
causes sperm to develop.
Girls experience puberty as a sequence of events, but their pubertal changes usually begin
before boys of the same age. Each girl is different and may progress through these changes
differently. The following are average ages that changes may occur:
beginning of puberty: 8 to 13 years
first pubertal change: breast development
pubic hair development: shortly after breast development
hair under the arms: 12 years of age
menstrual periods: 10 to 16.5 years of age
There are specific stages of development that both boys and girls go through when developing
secondary sexual characteristics. The following is a brief overview of the changes that occur:
In girls, the initial puberty change is the development of breast buds, in which a small mound is
formed by the elevation of the breast and papilla (nipple). The areola (the circle of different
colored skin around the nipple) increases in size at this time.
The breasts then continue to enlarge.
Eventually, the nipples and the areolas will elevate again, forming another projection on the
breasts.
At the adult state, only the nipple remains erect.
Pubic hair development is similar for both girls and boys. The initial growth of hair produces long,
soft hair that is only in a small area around the genitals. This hair then becomes darker and
coarser as it continues to spread.
The pubic hair eventually looks like adult hair, but in a smaller area. It may spread to the thighs
and sometimes up the stomach.
The following are additional changes that may occur for the female as she experiences the
changes of puberty:
There may be an increase in hair growth, not only the pubic area, but also under the arms and
on the legs. Many women may decide to shave this hair.
The females' body shape will also begin to change. There may be not only an increase in height
and weight, but the hips may get wider. There may also be an increase in fat in the buttocks,
legs, and stomach. These are normal changes that may occur during puberty.
Her body size will increase, with the feet, arms, legs, and hands beginning to grow in advance of
the body. This may cause the adolescent girl to experience a time of feeling clumsy.
As the hormones of puberty increase, adolescents may experience an increase in oily skin and
sweating. This is a normal part of growing. It is important to wash daily, including the face. Acne
may develop.
Adolescent girls will also experience menstruation, or menstrual periods. This begins when the
body releases an egg from the ovaries. If the egg is fertilized with a sperm from a male, it will
grow into a baby inside the uterus. If the egg is not fertilized, the endometrial lining of the uterus
is not needed and is shed through the vagina as fluid. The fluids are bloody and are usually
released monthly. After a girl begins to menstruate, she is able to get pregnant.