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 characteris
