Health | Puberty
Teenage Dirtbags Penis! Vagina! Periods! Boners! Boobs! Yep, we're talking puberty and so should you.
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time it was probably more frightening, confusing and stress-inducing than it should've been at a time when selfesteem is already particularly low. Frank and open conversations with your children about puberty and what is happening to their bodies can make a real difference in how children cope with the changes. Your willingness to talk about puberty will help them to feel confident and secure and will help to keep the dialogue open. But first, a bit more about puberty – beyond what your teenage friends told you!
quirming yet? No, of course about puberty can be uncomfortable What actually happens during you're not, you're an adult and for some people, particularly when your you're also an adult who will the initial stages of puberty? own experience of the 'Puberty Talk' soon be using those words was silent and in the form of a leaflet left The initial stages of puberty usually starts for girls around the age of 8, and for boys when speaking to your child, in your bedroom by your parents. End. around 9 or 10 and lasts around 4 years. if you haven't already. Go on, shout out Of. Discussion. Presumably you also The hypothalamus starts off the process all the other associated words you know learned some of what you needed to by releasing a gonaodotropin-releasing for male and female body parts – after all, know through cringe-worthy sex-ed hormone (GnRH). Once GnRH is picked you're already doing it in your head. Okay, lessons delivered by the least attractive up by the pituitary gland, two more maybe when you do start talking about teacher at the school, numerous puberty hormones are released – puberty with your child you won't be pleasant, and unpleasant, surprises luteninizing hormone (LH) and follicleusing ALL the words you just reamed off. and copious amounts of stimulating hormone (FSH). Consider, however that they will hear misinformation from For boys, the hormones travel ALL those words at some point in friends and siblings. Note that all through the bloodstream to the testes their lives, likely by the time they In hindsight, it children develop beginning the production of sperm and go through puberty. differently and at different probably seems testosterone. For girls, the hormones go We all know that talking quite funny. At the ages. If you are worried about your child’s development, contact Puberty in girls Puberty in boys your doctor. Average age 11 Average age 12 • Usually between 8−13 yrs old • Usually between 10−16 yrs old • Breast ‘buds’ begin to grow – small, firm, tender lumps • Testicles and penis grow bigger under the skin • Public hair • Pubic hair • Growth spurt between 10−16 often with arms, legs, feet • Growth spurt with change in body shape, particularly growing more quickly than the rest of the body breasts and around hips and thighs – often with arms, • Shoulders broaden along with weight and muscle gain legs, feet growing more quickly than the rest of the body • Growth of breast tissue in about 50% of boys – usually • First period is often between 9−16 and around 2 years disappears in around 6 months after beginning puberty • More frequent erections and ejaculation and ‘wet dreams’ • Increased sweating • Change in voice • Variable moods including low self-esteem and anger • Increased sweating • Acne • Variable moods including low self-esteem and anger • Acne
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