Education and Child Matters

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Puberty

 

WHAT IS PUBERTY?

Puberty is the process or period of time in a child/teenager’s life where they experience physical changes in their bodies. This happens when they are sexually maturing from a child to an adult who is able to sexually reproduce. Children will also experience emotional changes as well.

Girls go through puberty between ages 10 – 14 years.

Boys go through puberty between ages 12 – 16 years.

HOW DOES PUBERTY START?

In boys, puberty starts when chemical messengers called hormones from the brain inform the testes to make sperm and the hormone testosterone.

In girls, puberty starts when chemical messengers called hormones from the brain inform the ovaries to grow and release eggs and the hormones oestrogen. 

The adrenal glands will release other hormones that cause the growth of pubic hair, acne, and underarm hair.

WHAT IS EARLY PUBERTY?

Occasionally a child can start the process of puberty earlier than usual. For a boy this could be before the age of 9 years and for a girl before the age of 8 years.

Another name for early puberty is precocious puberty. 

Early puberty in both boys and girls can occur for many reasons. Some are:

  1. It is heredity
  2. An issue with the thyroid gland.
  3. An issue with the ovaries (if female)
  4. McCune-Albright syndrome 

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR GREAT ORMOND STREET – McCUNE-ALBRIGHT SYNDROME

Please contact your GP immediately for help and guidance.

LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR EARLY OR DELAYED PUBERTY

WHAT IS DELAYED PUBERTY?

Occasionally a child can start the process of puberty later than usual. For a boy this could be that there is no testicular activity by the age of 14 years. For a girl they may not have developed breasts by the age of 13 years or not started menstruating by the age of 15 years.    

Delayed puberty in both boys and girls can occur for many reasons. Some are:

1. Issues with the ovaries, thyroid gland or pituitary gland (if female)

2. Issues with the testes, thyroid gland or pituitary gland (if male)

3. Cystic fibrosis

4. Diabetes

5. Kidney disease

6. Coeliacs disease 

7. Malnutrition

8. Eating disorders

9. Androgen Insensitivity syndrome

LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR ANDROGEN INSENSITIVITY SYNDROME

10. Klinefelter syndrome

LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR KLINEFELTER SYNDROME

11. Kallmann syndrome

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR MEDLINE PLUS FOR KALLMANN SYNDROME

Please contact your GP immediately for help and guidance.

LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR EARLY OR DELAYED PUBERTY

WHAT PHYSICAL CHANGES CAN HAPPEN IN A BOYS BODY DURING PUBERTY?

The following changes can happen during puberty:

  1. Broadening of shoulders
  2. Weight gain
  3. Muscle development
  4. Growth of hair under the arms
  5. Beard growth
  6. Voice cracks
  7. Testicles increase in size
  8. Penis increase in size
  9. Hair growth around penis.
  10. Erections
  11. Ejaculations especially at night.

WHAT PHYSICAL CHANGES CAN HAPPEN IN A GIRLS BODY DURING PUBERTY?

The following changes can happen during puberty:

  1. Breast development 
  2. Growth of hair under the arms
  3. Growth of hair in the pubic area
  4. Widening of hips
  5. Weight gain
  6. Menstruation

WHAT EMOTIONAL CHANGES CAN HAPPEN DURING PUBERTY? 

The following emotional changes can happen during puberty:

  1. Your child can be more prone to anxiety and depression.
  2. Your child can be more prone to eating disorders
  3. Your child can be more prone to drinking, smoking, taking drugs and sex
  4. Your child can become moodier.  
  5. They will want more privacy
  6. They find their family embarrassing and prefer the company of friends rather than family.
  7. They are susceptible to peer pressure.
  8. Aware of how they look. 
  9. They are affected by what people say and think about them and their looks.

HOW CAN A PARENT HELP WITH PUBERTY?

There are many ways a parent can help their child through puberty:

  1. Educate yourself about what happens during puberty so you are aware what your child is going through.
  2. Encourage your child to talk about their feelings to you no matter what those feelings are.
  3. Show your child how to relax, handle anxiety and mood swings. Encourage meditation and breathing exercises.
  4. Encourage your child to take regular exercise.
  5. Communicate with your child about how they perceive themselves and their image as their physical appearance changes during puberty. 
  6. Encourage your child to bathe regularly and wear deodorant as body odour can develop and become more prominent during puberty.
  7. Help your child with acne flare ups. These are common during puberty.
  8. Your child may get distressed at the size of their penis (boys) and the way their body is growing. Comfort them, reassure them and if you are worried make an appointment with your GP.
  9. Your child may get distressed at the size of their breasts (girls) or one breast may be bigger than the other (this is normal). Again comfort them, reassure them and if you are worried make an appointment with your GP.
  10. During puberty your child will start to masturbate. This is normal and is a way for them to explore and get to know and understand their bodies. Please do not make them feel guilty about this if you catch them.
  11. Boys can often get an erection during puberty, sometimes without stimulation.This is normal. During the night whilst asleep boys can get an erection and ejaculate. This is called a wet dream or nocturnal emission. Please do not make a big deal about it, shame your son, poke fun or make them feel guilty.   
  12. You must respect the fact that now your child may want more privacy than before. Please do not make them feel bad about this. Give them more privacy and respect. 

WHO CAN A PARENT CONTACT FOR HELP AND SUPPORT IF THEIR CHILD IS ENTERING OR GOING THROUGH PUBERTY?

You can contact NSPCC – If your child is going through puberty you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns.

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US

You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline.  You can speak to them about your concerns if your child is entering or going through puberty.

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US 

You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY

You can contact other organisations – 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.

WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?

Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child is entering or going through puberty and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CHILDLINE – CONTACT US