Puberty is the time in life when a child’s body begins to develop and change as they become an adult. It is a process that usually starts between ages 8 and 13 in girls and ages 9 and 15 in boys. Puberty does not happen all at once but instead takes place over several years. The first signs of puberty can be different for each child. However, there are some common early signs to look out for.
First signs of puberty in girls
For most girls, the first sign of puberty is breast development. This is usually the first physical change noticed. The start of breast development is called telarche. Here are some things to know about this first sign of puberty in girls:
- Breast buds form – Small, raised bumps will develop under one or both nipples. This signifies the start of breast growth.
- Takes 2-3 years – It takes around 2-3 years for breasts to fully develop and stop growing after the first breast buds appear.
- Asymmetrical growth – Often, one breast will start to grow before the other so they may be uneven at first.
- Can be tender – As the breast tissue starts to expand, the area around the nipples may feel sore or sensitive.
- Growth rate varies – The speed and size of breast growth during puberty varies greatly among girls.
On average, most girls will start to see the first signs of breast development around age 10. However, breast budding may happen as early as age 8 or not until age 13 for some girls. If breasts have not started growing by age 13, it is a good idea to see a doctor.
Other early signs of puberty in girls
In addition to breast budding, some other early signs of puberty in girls include:
- Pubic or underarm hair – Around the same time as breast development, girls will start to notice darker, coarse hair growing in their pubic area and armpits. This hair will eventually become thicker and curlier as puberty progresses.
- Acne – An increase in hormones can cause the skin’s oil glands to be more active leading to acne breakouts. Pimples are common among pubescent girls, often appearing on the face, back, chest or upper arms.
- Body odor – Changes in sweat gland activity may cause a stronger odor from underarms or other areas of the body.
- Vaginal discharge – More vaginal fluids or whitish secretions may be apparent in the underwear as the vagina prepares for menstruation.
- Rapid growth – Girls often have a growth spurt and grow 3-5 inches taller once puberty begins.
First signs of puberty in boys
For most boys, the first obvious sign of puberty is testicular enlargement and the start of testicle and scrotum growth. This process is called gonadarche. Here is what to expect with this first puberty change:
- Testicles grow – One or both testicles will increase in size with the scrotum becoming thinner, reddish and more wrinkled in texture.
- Takes 2-3 years – It takes around 2-3 years to reach full adult testicle size after the initial growth begins.
- Asymmetrical growth – Often one testicle will begin growing before the other so they may differ in size at first.
- Not painful – Testicle growth is not typically painful though some boys may feel mild achiness or sensitivity at times.
- Growth rate varies – The speed and final size of testicle growth during puberty varies a lot among boys.
The average age for boys to first notice testicular enlargement is around 11-12 years old. But normal puberty onset can be from age 9 to 14. If no testicle growth has begun by 14, it is a good idea to see a doctor.
Other early signs of puberty in boys
In addition to testicular growth, some other early signs of puberty in boys include:
- Pubic or facial hair – Around the same time as testicle enlargement, boys will start to grow darker, coarser hair in their pubic area and on their face, legs and arms.
- Acne – An increase in hormones can make the skin’s oil glands more active leading to acne outbreaks. Pimples are common among pubescent boys, often appearing on the face, back, chest or upper arms.
- Body odor – Changes in sweat gland activity may lead to more body odor coming from the underarms, genitals or other areas.
- Voice changes – The larynx (“voice box”) grows causing the voice to start “cracking” and become deeper.
- Rapid growth – Boys often have a growth spurt and grow 4-6 inches taller once puberty begins.
Other physical changes of puberty
In addition to the first signs outlined above, puberty causes many other physical changes in both girls and boys. Here are some of the major ones:
- Skin changes – Oil glands in the skin become more active leading to acne outbreaks, blackheads or pimples. The skin may appear shinier and pores more noticeable.
- Body shape changes – The hips widen and body fat distribution becomes more pronounced in girls giving a more curvy shape. Boys’ shoulders broaden and their body becomes more muscular and angular in shape.
- Growth spurt – Hands and feet grow first followed by limbs. Girls grow 3-5 inches taller while boys grow 4-6 inches taller on average.
- Weight gain – Both muscle mass and body fat increase. Girls put on more fat in the hips, buttocks, and thighs while boys gain more fat and muscle in the upper body.
- Sweat and oil glands – These glands become more active leading to acne, body odor and a different scent of body odor.
- Pubic and underarm hair – Hair in these regions begins to grow and becomes thicker, curlier and darker during puberty.
- Genitals – Girls’ external genitals enlarge with the inner labia growing first. The vaginal wall thickens and girls start lubricating. Boys’ testicles and scrotum grow while the penis lengthens.
First signs of puberty in girls – Visual summary
| Age | Physical Changes |
|---|---|
| 8-10 years old | Breast buds form, pubic hair growth starts, growth spurt begins |
| 10-12 years old | Breast development continues, pubic hair gets thicker, acne breakouts, body odor |
| 12-13 years old | Breasts reach close to full size, pubic hair like adult, menstruation starts, wider hips |
First signs of puberty in boys – Visual summary
| Age | Physical Changes |
|---|---|
| 9-11 years old | Testicles grow, pubic hair growth starts, voice begins changing, growth spurt begins |
| 11-14 years old | Testes continue growing, pubic hair thickens, acne breakouts, body odor, facial hair |
| 13-15 years old | Testes reach full size, pubic/body hair like adult, voice deepens, shoulders broaden |
Emotional and social changes
In addition to physical changes, puberty brings many emotional and social changes as well. Hormonal shifts and brain development during puberty causes tweens and teens to have strong reactions, moodiness, and new feelings. Here are some of the emotional and social changes kids undergo during puberty:
- Self-image – Changing body shape and acne can affect self-confidence. Teens start caring more about their looks and comparing themselves to others.
- Moodiness – Hormones and brain changes lead to more intense emotions, mood swings, and sensitivity.
- Peer pressure – Fitting in with peers and being accepted becomes more important. Teens start testing boundaries.
- Relationships – Crushes, dating and exploring romantic relationships often starts in the tween years as puberty begins.
- Independence – Teens start desiring more privacy, independence, and control as they mature.
- Testing rules – Puberty sparks rebellion, talking back, and challenging parents, teachers and other authorities.
- Risk-taking – Impulsiveness and thrill-seeking behaviors may increase as teens test limits.
These emotional and social changes present new challenges for kids and their parents. But these changes are a normal part of growing into an adult. Being aware of what to expect can help parents, teachers, and caregivers support teens during this transitional time of life.
Talking to kids about puberty
It’s important for parents to talk to their kids about puberty and what changes to expect before those changes actually start. Here are some tips on talking to kids about puberty:
- Start the conversation early – Age 8-9 for girls and age 9-10 for boys is a good time to begin discussions about puberty. This gives kids time to process the information before changes happen.
- Make it an ongoing dialogue – Have regular, casual conversations rather than one big “puberty talk.” This helps kids feel more comfortable asking questions.
- Be open and honest – Give clear, accurate information using proper terms for body parts. Don’t shy away from questions.
- Ask what they already know – Find out what kids have learned from peers or school to correct misinformation.
- Emphasize it’s normal – Reassure kids that puberty changes are a normal part of growing up that everyone experiences.
- Get books or videos – Provide educational books, videos or diagrams about puberty and changing bodies kids can refer to.
- Encourage questions – Make kids feel comfortable coming to parents with any puberty concerns or questions.
With an open, positive approach to providing information, parents can make puberty less stressful or scary for kids. Kids who learn what to expect ahead of time usually adjust to the transition more easily.
When to see a doctor
Puberty starts and progresses at varying times for each child. However, there are some milestones pediatricians use to determine if puberty is delayed or atypical:
- Girls: No breast development by age 13 or no menstruation by age 15.
- Boys: No testicular growth by age 14 or voice still high-pitched by age 16.
- Kids with chronic illnesses may enter puberty later than peers.
- Consider early evaluation if a sibling had delayed puberty.
- Rapid or out of sequence changes could indicate a hormone problem.
Talk to a pediatrician if any of the following apply:
- No signs of puberty by age 13 in girls or 14 in boys.
- Periods haven’t started within 3 years of breast budding in girls.
- Girls start menstruating before age 8.
- Boys show signs before age 9 or girls before age 8.
- Secondary sex characteristics regress or disappear.
- Changes happen out of usual sequence or quickly.
While all kids develop at different paces, an evaluation can provide reassurance or catch any underlying issue needing treatment. With open communication and awareness of the first changes to expect, parents can help kids embrace puberty with confidence!