Puberty in girls, the passage to adulthood

Puberty in girls is the transition stage between childhood and adulthood. The average age of puberty is between 8 and 13, slightly earlier than for boys. The word puberty comes from the Latin word “pubere” which means “to grow hair”.

How to recognize puberty in girls?

During puberty, a number of changes take place. These include:

These changes are due to the maturation of the central nervous system and the disappearance of the brake inhibiting the anterior hypothalamus. Hormones (estrogens) are then released and create a multitude of changes in the girl.

Physically, hair grows on the labia majora and the mount of Venus, then gradually extends to the groin. Axillary hair (especially on the armpits) usually appears after pubic hair.
This development is often followed by the development of sebaceous glands, which cause sebum secretion and thus acne.

The breasts begin to develop during this period but will not take their final (adult) shape until age 18 or 19. The girl’s pelvis also widens and fatty tissue covers her hips and thighs.
Finally, her vulva changes a few years before her first period: the labia majora are more prominent, the labia minora and the clitoris develop. The uterine body grows until it reaches its adult size, about 4 to 5 years after the first period.

Note that each girl follows her own development and that there is no set order. Growth, hair growth, menstruation and breast development are random and depend on many parameters beyond each girl’s control.

Psychological changes during puberty in girls

Psychological changes during puberty in girls
Puberty is an upheaval for some girls. Indeed, this transition period can be difficult to manage because it is impossible to control. Not yet considered an adult, the teenager must nevertheless detach herself from her child status. The pubescent girl observes her body and sees it changing, sometimes in a different way than she had imagined. These changes are also the subject of comparisons with family and friends: “Why is my friend already wearing bras?”, “Why am I the first to have my period?”, “Am I going to grow up again?” or on the contrary “Why am I the tallest in the class?

Puberty is often a very awkward age when classmates are willing to make fun of you. Girls may not take these inappropriate jokes well, and may become withdrawn or aggressive.

Other Puberty-Related Changes in Girls.

Puberty is also a time of significant growth. The girl’s skeleton grows and her physical appearance changes. Sweat glands develop and sweating becomes more important, giving way to a more or less strong and natural body odor.

Menstruation usually occurs when the girl reaches a weight of about 48 kilos, and is manifested by monthly bleeding that corresponds to the elimination of what could have served as a nest for the egg. The arrival of menstruation indicates that the young woman is able to procreate if she wishes. In fact, her body will produce an egg every month until menopause.

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