It would seem that just recently my daughter was a sweet angel, obedient and funny, and suddenly something happened to her - inexplicable whims, abrupt change moods, occasionally hysterics. You should not be afraid of such changes, because the girl is growing, and sooner or later she will enter puberty. What signs accompany such “growing up”, what can be considered early puberty and how should parents react to it? We will try to answer these questions in the presented material.

Signs of puberty in girls, or what happens in the body

The period of puberty in girls lasts 2 years and ends with puberty - this time falls on the first menstruation. Doctors still cannot name the timing of puberty that fits the norm - it is believed that this period is variable: it can begin at 9 years old and at 11 or 13. If signs of puberty in a girl are present at the age of 7 years, or are absent, When a child is already 15 years old, this is a cause for concern. All other years that occurred during the state under consideration are considered normal. We will write about early puberty later, but let’s make a reservation right away - the girl’s parents should not take any independent decisions on this occasion. Only a doctor can determine the real reason early puberty, prescribe drug therapy, which, however, also applies to late puberty.

Note:During their observations, doctors discovered the following: the earlier a girl’s puberty began, the faster it will end. That is, if a girl at the age of 9 has already shown signs of puberty, then in a year and a half you can expect her first menstruation, but if these signs are noted at the age of 14, then two to two and a half years may pass before her first menstruation.

Signs of normal puberty in girls:

It is worth mentioning separately the most main feature puberty - menstruation. A girl’s first menstruation, as a rule, appears at the age of 13, but this age is very arbitrary! There are many cases where the first bleeding occurred at the age of 11 and this was not a pathology. Let's make a reservation right away - menstrual cycle will “form” and stabilize over approximately 12 months, during this period bleeding will be irregular, may be absent for 1-2 months, and this “behavior” of the girl’s body is quite normal. As soon as a girl’s first menstruation begins, her growth slows down sharply and after that, in total, the child will add another 5 cm in height.

Parents should pay special attention to preparing the girl for her first menstruation, and, naturally, the mother should take care of this. No matter what age your child starts getting their period, it can be very frightening. Yes, children are now accelerators. Yes, they sometimes know more than adults. And yet, experts emphasize the importance of conversations between a girl and her mother on the topic of puberty, the first menstruation - not a single book, not a single friend, not a single video from the Internet will convey this to a girl necessary information. And then, such a trusting relationship with your mother, who will be able to listen and talk even about “intimate” topics, will become the key to close relationships in the future.

Psychological problems during puberty in girls

The above-described signs of the condition in question are quite capable of surprising not only the parents (“when did she manage to grow up”), but also the girl herself. And during this period, it is important not to leave her alone with her questions, fears and doubts.

Firstly, you will need to tell the girl why such changes are happening to her body and organism. If this happened earlier than with her friends, then it is worth emphasizing the significance of such an event as puberty, and clearly indicating that there are no deviations in development, all this is natural.

Secondly, it is worth carefully observing a girl whose puberty occurred in later years - she will feel too uncomfortable in the company of her peers and doubt her inferiority. And here you need to become a psychologist, explain to the girl that puberty occurs in at different ages, you can even embellish the reality and say that for my mother herself this period occurred when she was 14-15 years old.

Thirdly, you need to talk in detail about menstruation. But you need to immediately stipulate that these topics are too personal, “intimate” and you shouldn’t tell your friends that your period has already begun. Yes, this means that “the girl has matured,” but this does not at all mean that she has become an adult, so the mother will need to have conversations and teach her daughter all the subtleties of behavior among her friends.

Note:A girl's perception of change during puberty directly depends on how close her relationship is with her mother. Therefore, try to “establish contact” from childhood - this will make it easier to have conversations on “intimate” topics, and in the future a trusting relationship will develop between two close people.

Early puberty in girls

Premature puberty in girls has its own signs:

• changes in the mammary glands began quickly and before the age of 9 years;
• female-type hair growth is observed at the age of up to 9 years;
• the girl's growth stops;
• the appearance of menstruation before the age of seven.

Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the appearance of menstrual bleeding in a girl during premature puberty does not mean at all that she has become a woman - such bleeding is also called non-ovulation/menstrual-like, that is, the egg from the girl’s ovary does not release into the uterine cavity for fertilization.

Such premature puberty in girls is a deviation from the norm and has several forms.

Classification of precocious puberty in girls

Gynecologists and endocrinologists distinguish several forms of the condition in question:

Causes of early puberty in girls

The following factors can lead to this condition:

• hereditary predisposition - early puberty is passed on in the family from generation to generation, but does not affect the reproductive abilities of the female body;
• problems in the functioning of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland, which leads to excess production of hormones;
• various neoplasms of a benign or malignant nature in the ovaries.

Very often, girls with precocious puberty are born to women who smoked/drank alcohol and drugs during pregnancy, or have a history of endocrine diseases.

How to treat

Only after full diagnostics and a number of specific examinations, the doctor will be able to tell what therapy needs to be used to correct the girl’s sexual development. It is quite possible that you will only need to choose a diet and normalize the child’s psycho-emotional background. But often, hormonal drugs are used to normalize the condition; such medications should only be prescribed by specialists.

Surgical treatment is prescribed only if the girl has been diagnosed with a tumor of the adrenal glands, ovaries or hypothalamus - the tumor is simply removed and the processes of puberty proceed within normal limits.

As for the late puberty of a girl, we will most likely talk about hormonal problems and/or malformations of the genital organs. Usually the problem can be solved hormonal drugs, but they can only be prescribed by doctors.

Tsygankova Yana Aleksandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category

The running of time cannot be stopped; its inexorable movement is especially noticeable when children begin to grow up. Until recently, the son was happy with his mother’s hugs and responded enthusiastically to her kisses, but now he has become rude and restrained. The most important period has arrived - puberty in boys, which appears a little later than in girls, but is just as inevitable. The body of a teenager has to experience a colossal load, because along with physical changes, colossal psychological changes occur.

What is puberty

Puberty is characterized by the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics. During normal development, the body reaches the phase of biological puberty. Signs of puberty appear with outside As the body grows rapidly, the pubis and armpits become covered with hair, but then boys and girls continue to grow up each in their own way, turning into men and women. Hormones make themselves felt, and therefore, in addition to the average statistical norm, early, late development and a significant delay in puberty occur.

When does adolescence begin and how long does it last for boys?

The changes that are taking place can confuse or even frighten a teenager, because the process of puberty begins at the age of 10 or a little later. For now, all the most important things were laid down at the level of the pituitary gland, preparing the boy’s body for the changes that would ultimately turn him into a man. But with a brittle voice, intense work sweat glands, an increase in testicles, penis, muscle mass and the appearance of a number of other signs comes a period of puberty, which lasts up to 18 and sometimes 20 years.

Prepubertal period

The development of a child at this stage is not much different from the maturation of peers. From the moment of birth until the day the son goes to school, parents have almost no problems with upbringing, and health issues are often associated with colds. After smooth growth, it may also gradually appear muscle mass, but by the age of 10 the body has already laid down future changes. If there is no delay, then the prepubertal period is replaced by the next stage of development.

Puberty

From about the age of ten, those changes begin to occur when the boy grows up and begins to turn into young man. The amount of hormones produced causes rapid growth with the simultaneous development of the gonads. Gaining momentum, the process inevitably leads to the fact that the teenage penis increases along with the size of the testicles. By the age of 15, upon examination, hair growth is noticeable in the armpits and pubic area; external signs - the appearance of antennae and acne, and ends puberty by about 20 years of age.

Features of sexual characteristics in adolescence in boys

Hormonal changes in the body affect the growth of not only hair, but also genital organs. A boy's penis grows until he is about 16 years old, and spontaneous or nocturnal emissions appear. An increase in male hormones affects the development of muscles, skeletal bones, especially shoulder joint. Voice mutation, the so-called voice break in boys, is considered one of the most obvious signs of the important process of puberty. ABOUT proper development indicates the appearance of acne, hair on the face, chest, thighs, groin area, armpits.

Primary

The presence of these signs is determined genetically, and they are nothing more than genitals. The formation of the prostate, scrotum, vas deferens, penis, testicles occurs at the stage of intrauterine development. Early puberty can speed up the process of transformation into a young man, but one way or another, any development occurs under the control of hormones.

Secondary

This group of features has at least important role. Nature assigns a different mission to secondary sexual characteristics - determining sexual maturity and attracting a partner, because they do not directly participate in reproduction. What characterizes their appearance? Voice mutation in boys, hair growth male type, rapid growth, broad shoulders, erection and adam's apple.

Boys' height

If the process of puberty in boys is not disrupted, then a sure sign that the child has begun to grow up is rapid growth. Feature this period the process is underway not smoothly, but irregularly, which sometimes causes health problems. In front of everyone individual characteristics the body's most fast period growth occurs in the period from 12 to 16 years, when a boy can stretch 10 cm per year and lose a lot of weight. After reaching adulthood, young men almost stop growing and can stretch a maximum of another 3 cm.

Precocious puberty

It is customary to talk about this phenomenon - false or true - if the boy has not yet reached the age of 10. Externally, early sexual development can be judged by the facts that the boy looks older than his peers, the first pimples appear, and body odor changes. If the right and left eggs develop, this is the true beginning of the process. If they remain immature, this means that early puberty is false.

Psychology of a teenager

Along with serious physiological changes in the body, a teenager has to overcome problems psychological nature. The appearance of acne on the face, hard work sweat glands require more careful attention to the issue of hygiene, which can cause irritation in a teenager. External changes and angularity take time to adapt, but it is difficult for a child to cope with this, especially if he becomes an object of ridicule at school.

Shyness, shyness, withdrawal into oneself, exaggeration of even an insignificant fact, for example, an unsuccessful photo - all this is a manifestation psychological signs growing up. When do girls get their periods and do boys? reproductive system also reaches a new level of physiological development. Since puberty is associated with the desire to gain more freedom in one’s actions, parents need to tell the boy about contraceptive methods.

Psychologically, puberty in a teenager can manifest itself as unmotivated aggression, frequent mood swings, irritability and depression, and harsh statements or criticism can push you to rash actions. It is necessary to continue raising a teenager, only adults need to create a favorable atmosphere, show tolerance, wisdom, and be tactful, so that the period of puberty ends for the boy with the formation of a beautiful male figure and a correct understanding of worthy behavior.

Video about puberty in teenage boys

Puberty is the period when adolescents experience physical changes, indicating that the adolescent’s genitals are ready to perform their reproductive functions. The onset of this period is characterized by some secondary signs: for example, breast growth in girls and the appearance of chest hair in boys. However, to perform reproductive functions alone secondary signs not enough. This period ends when the teenager stops growing, that is, his bones stop lengthening. By this time, a person is ready to conceive a child. In theory this is true, but practice is a completely different matter. For boys in the UK, puberty begins at age 13 and ends at around 17 to 18 years of age. For girls, this period begins at the age of 11. Thus, it turns out that these periods pass differently for girls and boys. Girls traditionally develop faster.

Adolescence - transition period, which is characterized by the onset of puberty, when the child gradually develops into an adult not only physically, but also spiritually, socially and emotionally. Puberty usually ends at 16-18 years of age. From this time on, a person is considered an adult, capable of being responsible for his actions.

Typically, puberty in girls occurs between the ages of 8 and 14 years. At this time, a small extension of the brain, the pituitary gland, begins to produce Chemical substance- follicle-stimulating hormone. This hormone enters the bloodstream, reaches the ovaries and stimulates the release of the female sex hormone called estrogen. Estrogen, in turn, stimulates

growth is booming breast tissue and promotes uterine development

and vagina. Estrogen causes changes in the bone structure of fat and other tissues, as well as in the area

pelvis Usually at this time pelvic bones are expanding and

are strengthened, which further makes it possible for the body to bear a child. Estrogen and small amounts male hormone- androgen - promote

development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as

pubic hair or armpit hair.

External signs physical changes in girls during puberty

An increase in discharge usually begins at the age of 10-11 years.

The breast develops and enlarges, and the nipple and the area around it become more pronounced.

Hair appears in the genital area.

Armpit hair begins to grow.

The hips become larger and wider.

The activity of the skin's fat glands is activated, which begin to emit a more expressive odor; The increased activity of the fat glands leads to the fact that sometimes the pores become clogged, and acne appears on the face of adolescents.

Changes occur in the speech apparatus, the vocal cords enlarge, the voice becomes rougher, but, of course, not like in men.

The first menstruation begins.

The labial part of the female genital organs becomes enlarged, and hair appears on the outside of them.

The clitoris enlarges and becomes more sensitive.

Monthly ovulation begins in the ovaries, during which they release mature eggs.

The uterus increases in size and begins to menstruate.

The size of the vagina increases and begins to produce more vaginal lubrication.

By the end of puberty, the body is completely ready for fertilization and childbirth. Confirmation of this in girls is their first menstruation. Along with it, girls begin ovulation. From this moment on, girls should be wary of pregnancy.

Boys

Puberty in boys begins from the moment when the pituitary gland begins to produce two hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. They get into circulatory system and in turn stimulate the male gonads to produce the male sex hormone called testosterone. This hormone promotes the growth of the male genitals - the gonads, scrotum and penis - and the development of secondary signs of puberty, such as facial, body and pubic hair, as well as a deepening of the voice. The growth of the testicles, in turn, increases the amount of testosterone secreted and promotes the development of other characteristics associated with puberty.

Typically, by the age of 13 - 14, boys experience frequent erections of the penis, and soon after this the first ejaculation of semen, which usually happens as a result of masturbation or during sleep, which is of an erotic nature. By the way, this also happens to girls.

A viable sperm can fertilize a girl’s released, that is, mature, egg, which will lead to pregnancy. Of course, this cannot happen during the first ejaculation experienced by a boy, but it is quite possible several months after the first ejaculation. So, usually by the age of 14 - 15, boys should know that they can get a girl pregnant. Below we list other physical changes that occur during puberty in boys.

Major physical changes in boys during puberty

An increase in discharge usually begins in boys at 12 - 13 years of age.

Boys become wider in the shoulders and narrower in the hips. The muscles of the whole body develop.

Hair growth begins in the pubic and genital area.

Hair growth begins under the arms and coarser hair on the body.

Coarse facial hair begins to grow.

Changes occur in the speech apparatus, and the voice becomes rougher.

Fat and sweat glands the body begins to produce a more expressive odor, the pores sometimes become clogged, especially on the face, and then acne appears.

The male gonads inside the scrotum enlarge and begin to produce sperm.

The penis also increases in size and becomes more sensitive.

Erections happen quite often and sometimes completely unexpectedly.

Discharge also occurs during sleep (especially if the dreams are of an erotic nature). Such dreams are called “wet”.

Every mother wants her child to develop correctly, even if this child is far from a baby. Therefore, many parents are interested in the issue of puberty of their child. Despite the fact that many themselves have gone through this important stage, most adults’ knowledge about it is quite superficial. Meanwhile, the parents of the teenager Additional Information will not hurt, and will even help you understand what exactly puberty is in boys and girls, and therefore, understand your child during this difficult period. The article will tell you what puberty is characterized by in boys, at what age it begins, and how to determine the onset of adolescence in boys.

General information

Every adult, in order to have offspring, must go through an important stage of puberty in order to be able to bear children in the future. After completing this stage, the person is considered to be in a state of puberty, that is, completely ready for childbearing.

It is believed that the process of puberty in boys begins somewhat later than in girls. The first signs can already be noticed by the age of 11-13, but more exact number No. There are many factors, including heredity, that can influence significant impact on the puberty of a boy, so it is impossible to predict the timing of the onset of adolescence.

The mechanism of development of puberty in men is not fully understood. It is believed that during this period there is an active hormonal surge, leading to the occurrence of external changes. Active production of GnRH begins in the boy’s brain (hypothalamus). Initially, the process of hormone synthesis is irregular: nighttime peaks in hormone production and daytime declines are characteristic. Subsequently, the substance is constantly synthesized, and at this moment we can already talk about the onset of full puberty.

GnRH itself does not cause characteristic symptoms puberty. Its main function:

• Regulation of the formation of male sex hormones.
• Stimulation of spermatogenesis, that is, the process of formation and differentiation of male germ cells.

It is under the influence of androgens that all signs of puberty appear in boys and, ultimately, maturity occurs. It is believed that a child experiences a maximum hormonal surge at approximately 12-15.5 years. At this time, the boy’s growth rate will be maximum, and development progresses literally every month.

Puberty occurs later in boys than in girls.

It should be noted that puberty does not begin suddenly in boys. All children come to him gradually. To successfully go through puberty (the second name for maturation), the child’s body long time prepares for it both physically and psychologically. Already at the age of 1.5-2 years, a boy begins to understand that he belongs to a certain gender, by the age of 4-6 he unconsciously copies the habits of men and demonstrates masculine behavior: he refuses to wear certain things, to behave the way in his mind girls behave.

At 7-8 years old, the pattern of male behavior becomes even more noticeable. Appear character traits It is precisely his own behavior that the child begins to slowly become interested in relations between the sexes, but so far the interest is short-lived and insignificant. By the age of 10-11, male puberty begins, which is characterized by the first significant somatic (physical) and psychological changes.

Description of somatic signs

Somatic signs mean all the changes in the boy’s body that occur during this period. The most visible signs characterizing this age are:

1. Marked enlargement of the penis.
2. Enlargement of the scrotum.
3. The appearance of hair under the arms and in the groin area.
4. “Breaking” of the voice.

All these characteristics also have another name - secondary sexual characteristics. It is fully formed secondary sexual characteristics that form the external difference between a man and a woman.

During puberty, a boy develops hair under his arms and in the groin area.

Speaking about puberty, which a guy goes through, first of all, we need to talk about the changes that occur in his genital area. It is at this time that increased growth of the penis and enlargement of the scrotum occurs. According to statistics, at the age of 11 the average length of a boy's penis is 4 cm, already at the age of 14 it is 7 cm, and by the age of 18 it reaches 10 cm. Accordingly, the testicles also grow, although there are no strictly defined sizes in terms of growth rate. It is believed that at the end of puberty they should be two elastic rounded formation about 2-3 cm in diameter, while a certain asymmetry of the organs is allowed.

It is during puberty that boys should experience their first real erection and first ejaculation. The erection of a teenager has a strongly expressed sexual orientation and often ends in wet dreams at night, that is, nocturnal ejaculation occurs, uncontrollable by the boy.

Night ejaculation (nocturnal emission) is not associated with either masturbation or sexual intercourse. This is a manifestation of the boy's normal physiological growth. Normally, ejaculation can occur about 3 times a week.

The appearance of wet dreams indicates the work of the seminal vesicles and penis. Vivid dreams of an erotic nature can lead to wet dreams, however, according to statistics, boys rarely remember them.

Feature of this period is the appearance of hair growth. Under the influence of male sex hormones, hair begins to grow in a certain way, and gradually the so-called male type of hair growth is formed. Men have multidirectional hair growth and a wedge-shaped line of hair growth on the pubis. In this case, a thin strip may rise to the navel.

Simultaneously with the growth of hair on the genitals, it appears on the face, under the arms and even on the chest, although in the first year or two of puberty one should not expect such significant changes. The first hair can become noticeable under the arms at 14 years old and by 17 years old it can reach full hair growth. As for the face, hair can begin to appear by the age of 17-18, and before this time a small fluff forms above the lip in boys, which by the age of 14-15 turns into a small mustache.

Hormonal changes lead to the so-called “voice breakdown”. The changes are associated with the effects of androgens on the vocal cords. Gradually, a lower and rougher timbre is formed from the boy’s thin voice male voice. At certain stages, slight hoarseness may be added. In addition to the change from vocal cords at the same time, gradual ossification of some areas appears thyroid cartilage and its increase. This enlargement is later visible under the skin on the neck of men and is called the Adam's apple, or Adam's apple.

Influenced hormonal levels The condition of the skin also changes. The active functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands begins, which causes the appearance of juvenile acne or acne. A teenager at this age may suffer from hyperhidrosis, that is, excessive sweating, and the smell natural secretions The sweat glands sometimes turn out to be quite caustic. Therefore, it is important to teach the boy proper hygiene.

Specific changes are also present in the musculoskeletal system. It is during puberty that, under the influence of hormones, a typical male figure is formed: the shoulders become wider and the pelvis becomes narrower, it is noted intensive growth skeletal muscles and the growth of the skeletal bones themselves. Changes less significantly subcutaneous fat: Intensive growth is not typical for boys during puberty. Usually the percentage of subcutaneous fat is no more than 19%, unless the boy, of course, has certain problems and is not obese. At the same time, facial features change. The rounded cheeks characteristic of babies and children disappear younger age, a more massive lower jaw is formed compared to the female one.

Hormonal changes in a boy lead to changes in his voice.

Psychological characteristics

Speaking about puberty, one cannot fail to mention its psychological characteristics, because they are the frequent cause of tension in the relationship between a teenager and other members of his family. This stage A boy's life is quite complex and requires concentration and tact from parents. The nervous system of a teenager is quite labile, that is, unstable, and sometimes aggression and misunderstanding arise for a completely trivial reason.

Boys who have entered puberty are characterized by frequent shifts mood, irritability, excessive impressionability, as well as aggressiveness and unmotivated depression. Most teenagers are categorical and divide the world into black and white, not distinguishing between tones and not understanding this feature of adults. Therefore, the motivation for many of the actions of adults is unclear to them, which leads to conflict situations.

Puberty is also characterized by a boy's search for his own life path. He chooses his place in society, society. A leap occurs intellectual development. Character traits such as:

• Independence.
• Critical perception of reality.
• Attempts to make strong-willed decisions, even to one’s detriment.

By the end of puberty, basic habits and preferences are formed. young man and the formation of character is almost completed.

During puberty, intensive formation occurs logical thinking. The boy demands proof that the adult is right and does not show the obedience characteristic of childhood, when any words of an adult were taken on faith. This further aggravates the symptom of negativism, so characteristic of the crisis of 13-14 years.

During puberty, a boy's character is formed.

Rapid development and hormonal changes can't go unnoticed nervous system. Teenagers aged 13-14 years often suffer from increased fatigue and reduced performance. At the same time, active, cheerful behavior can quickly give way to depression and fatigue. Parents must understand that such behavior and the child’s complaints about fatigue headache are not a sign of a boy's laziness. He really feels tired and needs rest.

Another feature of teenagers is the difficulty in doing monotonous work. They are easily distracted by other issues. This significantly reduces productivity and increases the number of errors in studies, etc. This feature is associated with a restructuring in the motor function of the nervous system.

An important aspect of psychological development is sexual development. The hormonal storm occurring in the child’s body leads to his desire to try to start sex life. At the same time, a teenager does not have many chances for this, and if there is, then attempts to obtain sexual satisfaction are not always reasonable. Therefore, it is important for parents to talk with the boy in advance about the need for protection from unwanted pregnancy partners and sexually transmitted diseases. And dad should deal with issues of sex education.

You should not brush the child off after receiving the first affirmative answer that the boy knows where children come from. A teenager’s knowledge can be quite far from reality, so conversations should be meaningful, but these should be conversations, not lectures or sermons, much less instructions.

Deadlines

The final maturation of any male representative ends by the age of 22. Of course, after 17-18 years hormonal surges mostly go away and development slows down somewhat, but intensive growth is still occurring.

During puberty, teenagers need support from their parents.

It is also worth noting that the timing of adolescence is a bit arbitrary. It happens that even at 12 years old a boy does not show signs of puberty, but at this age this is still the norm. If adolescence is absent in a 16-year-old boy, the condition is called delayed sexual development. This can happen by various reasons. Most common reasons the following:

1. The boy's health condition. Serious injuries, operations, chronic diseases internal organs may lead to delayed sexual development.
2. Operational disruptions endocrine system. Diseases of the endocrine system should be excluded first of all if a delay in physical development is diagnosed.
3. Diseases of the nervous system.
4. Phenotypic or constitutional features. It's about O hereditary predisposition to late puberty. When working with the family of a boy with developmental delays, it can be revealed that many men in the family had similar characteristics.

In addition to delayed sexual development, there is also early maturation, or premature puberty. In most situations, we will talk about a genetic predisposition, but the process can be triggered by endocrine problems, disorders of the structure and function of the genital organs.

Somatic changes in combination with psychological problems may lead to adolescence to the formation of complexes, depression, and in some adolescents even provoke suicidal thoughts. Often a child develops dysmorphophobia - a feeling of having a defect in appearance, often far-fetched. In an attempt to get rid of the defect, adolescents may injure themselves, hiding the defect, or begin to lead a secluded lifestyle, avoiding contact with others.

However, every parent should remember that, despite negativism, external detachment, and aggression, a teenager is still the same boy and child who needs understanding so that his parents will listen to him and understand him correctly. Jointly solving the problems of a growing boy and understanding that it is no less difficult for the child than it is for you, will help you go through puberty with the least emotional losses and maintain a benevolent and trusting relationship with your child.

Maria Soboleva

Puberty. Puberty problems

Every child goes through puberty - the time of puberty. During this difficult period of life, a teenager faces many problems. What do parents need to know to help their son or daughter grow up correctly?

What is puberty?

An important step on the path to growing up, a difficult period of life, a transitional age - this is how the puberty period can be characterized.

Girls acquire more feminine forms, boys gradually turn into young men and acquire purely masculine features.

The result of puberty with all its biological transformations and changes in psycho-emotional behavior is the onset of puberty.

On average, puberty in girls lasts from 9 to 14 years, boys begin to mature later - from 11 to 16 years.

But there is no clear framework for puberty; it happens earlier or late onset puberty. It depends on hereditary factors, ethnicity, child’s weight, nutrition, constitution.

Puberty - problems of puberty

Problems of puberty include the so-called adolescent complex.

Both boys and girls during this period can behave contradictoryly: on the one hand, they are extremely sensitive to the assessment of their appearance and abilities by others, and on the other, they can be arrogant and express harsh judgments about others.

Teenagers are sometimes painfully shy, sometimes deliberately cheeky, they can rebel and deny any authority, but at the same time literally create idols for themselves, be fans of a musical group or the leader of some informal movement.

The problem of puberty among adolescents themselves and their loved ones is emotional instability, both girls and boys are characterized by sharp changes moods - from enthusiastic to depressed.

It is important for parents and teachers to understand these characteristics, which are caused by puberty. Any attempts to hurt pride can cause a violent reaction.

Emotional instability reaches its peak in girls at 13-15 years old, and in boys from 11 to 13 years old.

The puberty period of adolescents is characterized by the fact that they are already actively striving for independence and independence, but in difficult everyday situations they are waiting for help from adults and do not dare to take responsibility.

When considering the problems of puberty, it is necessary to note the influence on the teenager of his environment, the environment of peers with whom he communicates.

The opinion of the team, the very belonging to a certain group, is extremely important to the guys. This gives them self-confidence, but isolation can provoke complexes, anxiety, and sometimes aggressive behavior.

Physiological problems of puberty

During puberty it happens fast growth adolescents, which is provoked by hormones produced in the body.

Some girls can gain from 6 to 9 cm in a year, and boys - up to 12 cm. This is fraught with deterioration in well-being.

Bone mass grows faster than internal organs; children experience dizziness, heart pain, weakness, and muscle cramps.

Often, adolescents during puberty develop scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. IN adolescence increased risk of injury musculoskeletal system.

Problems of puberty concern the appearance of adolescents - they are dissatisfied with their angularity, clumsiness, disproportionate growth, and sometimes obesity (this applies more to girls - watch their diet).

Hormonal changes in the body of both girls and boys lead to the appearance of acne. Teenagers are especially worried about pimples and blackheads on the face, which becomes a reason for suffering and tears.


Consult a doctor in a timely manner - these are not only aesthetic problems, but also medical ones.

It is important for parents to explain to their girl that puberty will soon pass, you will become beautiful and slim. Update your daughter’s wardrobe, help her learn to dress fashionably and beautifully.

And boys suffer because of their appearance, they also need to be shown attention and sympathy. It’s good to get boys involved in sports activities.

Communicate with your children more often, convince them of your love, and emphasize their strengths.

Modern children grow up faster than we would sometimes like. Don’t put off until later conversations about the dangers of early sexual activity, the dangers of promiscuity, and what means of contraception exist.

Teenagers who become sexually active during puberty are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, such as the papilloma virus.

Puberty problems for boys

It is important for parents to know the stages of their son's puberty in order to prepare him for changes and correct attitude to processes occurring in the body.

During puberty, the boy's body begins to produce large quantities sex hormones, the main of which is testosterone.

Excess hormones cause excessive sweating in boys, especially in the armpits and groin area.

Teach your son the rules of hygiene - regular showering, use of antiperspirants. The boy may not feel unpleasant odor, but peers (especially girls) will feel it immediately.

At the age of 11-12, adolescents' testicles enlarge, then hair appears in the pubic area.

Armpit hair usually begins at age 14, and by age 15 a mustache appears.

Boys grow up differently - your son may seem “small” compared to his taller classmates, and then suddenly grow taller.

On September 1, his classmates did not recognize Ivan - a tall guy came to the 9th grade, although a cheerful, nimble, but short boy was leaving for the holidays.

It is important to reassure the teenager by explaining that growing up does not happen according to a clear schedule - it is individual for everyone. And in order to catch up with peers in your physical development, it is useful to exercise physically and eliminate bad habits.

During puberty, libido awakens in adolescents - sexual desire. A growing boy experiences erotic desires and fantasizes.

In order for him to develop the correct orientation, communication with the opposite sex is important. It is also necessary to protect the child from outside influences that promote non-traditional sexual attitudes.

The boy needs to be explained what a wet dream is - involuntary ejaculation during sleep. On average, they occur at the age of 14 years and are a sign of the normal development of the future man.

Almost all teenagers go through masturbation during puberty. Do not make a tragedy out of this - this is how sexual tension is relieved.

In addition, the teenager studies the technical side of sexual relations, as if training the sexual function of the body.

Today, young men begin to have sex earlier and earlier; even before puberty ends, a guy can already become sexually mature.

But the ability to have sexual intercourse and psychological readiness to a serious relationship is far from the same thing.

We need to explain to our son about his responsibility for possible consequences sexual contacts - girl’s pregnancy.

A trusting relationship with your son is especially important during his puberty - be a friend to your growing boy.

Puberty problems for girls

Puberty in some girls can begin as early as 9 years of age with rapid growth.

By the age of 11, many teenagers notice an increase in mammary glands, then the appearance of pubic hair is observed, at the same time or a little later, hair begins to grow in the armpits.

Today, the so-called menarche - the first menstruation occurs in girls at 11.5-13 years old, 2 years after the first noticeable changes in the development of the mammary glands.

The onset of menstruation - an important event in life future woman, the body of a growing girl is already capable of pregnancy.

On the eve of menarche, a teenager experiences problems with well-being - weakness, headaches, nausea, bouts of depression or increased excitability, pain in the lower abdomen.

The girl needs to be prepared for such sensations by talking about the features critical days, proper hygiene.

Also, the mother should teach her daughter to keep a menstruation calendar, which they take with them when visiting the clinic (various examinations often require information about the date of the last menstruation).

The cycle in the first year of menstruation may be irregular.

But it is important to monitor its duration (no more than 7 days), the abundance of menstruation (no more than 4 pads are used per day), and the girl’s well-being these days.

Problems of puberty in almost 75% of all cases are the presence inflammatory processes external genitalia: vulvitis, vulvovaginitis. During puberty, girls still low level estrogens and protective functions the epithelium of the genital organs is weak.

The puberty period in a girl’s life requires parents to be especially attentive to their daughter.

Physiological processes in the body of adolescents of different sexes differ, but psychological development personality during this period is equally important for both girls and boys.

Let your children grow up surrounded by loving and understanding loved ones, in a strong, friendly family.

Take it for yourself and tell your friends!

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