Girls puberty

Girls puberty

Puberty is a period in which children acquire integral adult features, such as breasts , pubic hair, and become able to get pregnant.

Puberty begins in girls at the age of about 8 to 10 years and lasts for 4 years.

Puberty depends on several factors, the most important of which are:

• Weight: It begins early in overweight girls

• Nutrition: Most underweight girls who do not receive proper nutrition or cannot absorb nutrients begin the puberty late.

• Genetics: If the mother reaches puberty early, her daughter usually reaches puberty early

• Race: Dark-skinned girls begin puberty a year earlier than light-skinned girls

How does the growth happen?

Through hormones that act as chemical messengers that are made in certain parts of the body and are transmitted through the blood to send signals to other parts of the body. Puberty begins in girls when hormones released by the brain and cause the ovaries to grow, so the ovaries release estrogen, which leads to the growth of the reproductive system, including:

• Breasts

•the vagina

• Ovaries

•the uterus

The order of pubertal changes is as follows:

• First, the breast. This happens between the ages of 8 and 13 years

• Shortly after that , hair begins to grow in the armpits and genital area

• Then a growth spurt occurs in height, and growth slows when the menstrual cycle begins

• Menstruation begins about 2 to 3 years after breast development begins

**Menstruation occurs in girls about two years after breasts begin to form. The first period occurs at the age of about 12 or 13 years. For some girls, the first menstruation occurs at the age of 8 or 9 years. It can occur anytime between the ages of 10 and 16 while others may not get it until after their mid-teens. It is usually not regular. It may take up to five years to become regular.

** Growth in height usually stops in girls between the ages of 14 and 16 years

As girls reach puberty, their body shape changes, their hips and thighs increase in size, and their body fat increases. This is a normal part of puberty for girls.

There are many different hormonal problems, such as delayed puberty or early puberty

Frequently Asked Questions :

Q: What happens when a girl reaches puberty?

Puberty goes through several stages, beginning with physical changes such as increased body fat, breast growth, increased height and weight, and sometimes the appearance of acne. One or two years after the first signs of puberty appear, the first menstrual cycle begins.

Q:Do girls grow taller after puberty?

About one to two years after puberty, the girl's height only increases from an additional 2.5 to 5 centimeters. After that, the height stops for most girls when they reach the age of 14 or 15 years, and this age can be younger depending on the time of the girl's first menstrual period. It should be noted that a girl's height is linked to the genes inherited from both of her parents, and that the final height is usually the average height of the mother.

Q:What are the harms of early puberty for girls?

Its most important complication is short stature. At first, children with precocious puberty may grow quickly and be taller than others their age, but their bone growth reaches maturity prematurely. Therefore, these children stop growing earlier than usual

Q:Does a girl's height increase after menstruation?

Some girls can increase their height by 2-5 cm after menstruation within a year or two

Age and  Average height in cm

At the age of 17 years, height ranges between (150-175) cm

At the age of 18 years, height ranges between (151-175) cm

At the age of 19 years, height ranges between (151-175) cm

Q:When does a girl reach puberty after pubic hair appears ?

Within one to two years

Q:When does the period come after the breast appears?

Within two to three years

Q:When does puberty begin in girls?

Usually from 10-16 years

Q:When does armpit hair begin to appear in girls?

Pubic and armpit hair appears in 8-year-old girls. Puberty occurs approximately two years after pubic hair appears

Q:Does vitamin D increase height after puberty?

There are no studies that have proven this

Q:When does puberty end?

Approximately at the age of 16-17 years .

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist