The process of female puberty allows women to conceive, carry, bear, and feed offspring. Bodily changes occur in the preteen and teen years.
Puberty is the process of the body maturing to make reproduction possible. In humans it generally happens in the preteen and early teen years; in girls the onset is between the ages of 8 and 13 (on average.)
Female hormones play a role in this transition. The pituitary gland, located in the brain, secretes follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which signals the ovaries to begin producing estrogen. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for female body development and maturity, allowing for eventual reproduction.
Female puberty happens in stages and generally takes several years to complete. Each stage of puberty has an average age range, allowing for individual maturity. During these stages, various body parts are affected.
Breasts
The breasts are usually the first female body parts to be affected by puberty. This change can start between the ages of 8 and 14, with the average onset at age 11 or 12. Nipple development occurs, causing breast "buds." In the next several years, breast tissue develops and the breasts continue to grow until about age 15 or 16.
Hair Growth
Females will begin to develop pubic and underarm hair next. This generally happens between the ages of 9 and 15, with the average age of onset being 12 to 13. Pubic hair appears first, and underarm hair follows about 2 years later. Leg hair also thickens, and many girls begin to shave their legs.
Menstruation
First menstruation is often seen as the beginning of womanhood. It happens to signal that a female is physically ready to conceive offspring. A female begins to menstruate generally between the ages of 9 and 16, with 12 being the average age of onset.
Menstruation may start out sporadically, with skipped periods or 2 periods in one month. Most adolescents become regular within the next couple of years.
Growth/ Weight Gain
During the process of puberty, females begin to gain weight in the breasts, hips, buttocks, and thighs. This is very important for a woman to eventually conceive, carry, and deliver a baby. Weight gain can start around age 10 or 11 and continue until as late as 18 or 19, although many girls are physically mature by age 15.
During this time, females grow to their adult height, which can continue to age 19, but generally stops at age 15 or 16.
Skin Changes/ Emotional Changes
Other signs of puberty include skin changes and mood changes. These are both a result of an increase in the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
An increase in monthly hormone production can make an adolescent's skin oilier, causing breakouts of pimples. This tends to calm down in the later teen years, as hormone production evens out.
The second half of the menstrual cycle can cause an increase in the hormone progesterone (along with estrogen), which is known to cause premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and moodiness.
- For further information about reproduction, read Women's Anatomy and Female Hormones
- For related health information, visit the General Health ARTICLE INDEX
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