What factors cause the physical changes associated with puberty?
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Topic Resources For height and weight charts for children 2 years of age and older, see growth charts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is a growth spurt during adolescence. The growth spurt in boys occurs during mid-adolescence between the ages of about 12 years and 16 years (most commonly about age 13½) and usually begins a year after the testes start enlarging. Boys grow about 4 inches (about 10 centimeters) during their year of maximum growth. The growth spurt in girls occurs in early adolescence between the ages of about 9½ years and 13½ years (most commonly about age 11½). Girls grow about 3½ inches (about 9 centimeters) during their year of maximum growth. In general, boys become heavier and taller than girls. Sexual maturation or puberty begins at different ages depending on genetic and environmental factors. Sexual maturity begins earlier today than a century ago, probably because of improvements in nutrition, general health, and living conditions. For example, the average age that girls begin menstruating has decreased by about 3 years over the past 100 years. However, whenever sexual maturation begins, it typically occurs in the same order. In both boys and girls, pubic and/or axillary hair may appear first. This appearance may be a normal variation but should be discussed with a doctor. Milestones in Sexual DevelopmentThe following is an English-language resource that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION Copyright © 2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. There are two types of physical changes that occur during puberty: a) changes to primary sex characteristics and b) changes to secondary sex characteristics. Primary sex characteristics refer to changes to the sexual organs themselves (uterus, vagina, penis, and testes). Secondary sex characteristics refer to other visible changes that mark adult maturation such as changes in height and body shape. Primary sex characteristic changes for boys include the enlargement of the testes, penis, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles. These changes normally begin to occur between the ages of 9 and 14 years. Their growth is generally completed between ages 12 and 16 years. The most significant and noticeable puberty-related change for young men is spermarche, or the first ejaculation. Spermarche generally occurs between the ages of 12 and 16. The spermarche indicates a boy is now producing sperm and could fertilize a female egg through sexual activity, resulting in female pregnancy. This first ejaculation often occurs during sleep; it is often referred to as a "wet dream." Young men may also experience spontaneous erections when they're awake. This may occur when they become emotionally stimulated, or for no reason at all. Such spontaneous erections can be uncomfortable or embarrassing for maturing young men. Please refer to the section entitled, "How Parents Can Help Children Cope" for information about helping young men adjust to these physical changes. The primary sex characteristic changes for girls includes the uterus starting to build a lining that will later be shed through the process of menstruation, and the vagina beginning to produce a mucus-like discharge. This mucus-like discharge is not actual menstruation but rather an early form of vaginal lubrication. As the young woman matures, she can produce this lubrication when she becomes sexually aroused, but she will also produce it in various quantities even when she's not sexually aroused. These changes can happen months or just weeks before a girl experiences menarche, or her first menstrual period. Every youth's experience is slightly different. Therapists are Standing By to Treat Your Depression, Anxiety or Other Mental Health NeedsExplore Your Options Today The most significant and noticeable primary sex change for young women is menarche, or the first menstrual period. This occurs when the uterus -- the organ that will later carry and nurture a baby -- sheds its first lining of tissue and blood. In adult women, this lining is shed once a month, or on average, every 28 days. The purpose of the lining is to condition the uterus for the initial portion of pregnancy in which a fertilized egg must attach to the uterine lining. The lining is shed each month when the body realizes it is not pregnant. Women are not "bleeding" when they have their menstrual period; there is no open wound. Instead, their uterus is simply shedding and releasing the bloody lining tissue that has grown inside it over the past month. Menarche alone does not mean that a girl is able to become pregnant. In some cases pregnancy may occur prior to menarche, while in others it may not be possible for months after menarche. Some girls will not begin releasing eggs from their ovaries for up to 12 to 18 months after they begin their periods. Other girls will have begun releasing mature eggs prior to their first period. For this reason, young women need to be taught that it is possible (even if not common) for them to get pregnant before they have their first period if they should become sexually active. On average, the first menstrual period occurs between ages 10 and 15 years for North American girls. While some girls may experience a full menstrual flow during their first period, some girls may only experience a light or spotty flow during their first periods. Young ladies may also experience very irregular period intervals and durations in the first months as their cycles regulate. First periods may be uncomfortable or embarrassing for young ladies. Please refer to the section titled, "How Parents Can Help Children Cope" for information about helping young women adjust to these physical changes. A detailed section on the practical knowledge girls need to learn in terms of managing their new monthly cycle may be found here. Myndfulness App Designed to Help You Feel Better Daily Download Now For Free
 Learn More > What factors cause the physical changes associated with puberty quizlet?What factors cause the physical changes associated with puberty? Pubertal changes take place when the pituitary gland signals the adrenal gland, ovaries, and tests to secrete hormones that initiate physical changes.
What causes physical change in puberty?Hormones from the brain trigger the start of puberty. Hormones are chemical messengers that tell the body what to do. In males: The hormones tell the testicles to make the hormone testosterone and sperm. In females: The hormones tell the ovaries to make the hormone estrogen and triggers the growth and release of eggs.
What are 5 physical changes during puberty?Puberty typically starts at 10-11 years for girls and 11-12 years for boys. It can be earlier or later. In puberty, children get taller, heavier and stronger. There are also changes in children's sexual organs, brains, skin, hair, teeth and sweatiness.
What are the factors of puberty?There are a number of variables that may influence directly or indirectly pubertal growth spurt including, gender, genetics, nutrition, endocrine regulation, physical activity and ethnicity [Table 1]. It is the interaction among several of these variables that may affect pubertal growth and maturation in complex ways.
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