Reaching the age of Adolescence: Changes at Puberty

Adolescence is the period of life when a child undergoes various changes to attain reproductive maturity. Children of the age group 11-19 years are called adolescents or teenagers. Puberty refers to the changes that occur during this period. Puberty hits boys and girls differently. It is marked by several significant changes like body shape, voice change, increase in height, development of secondary sexual characters, muscle development, etc. An individual can experience various changes as they undergo puberty. In this article, we will talk about reaching the age of adolescence and the changes associated with it.

Key takeaways: Adolescence, puberty, Adam’s apple, Changes at puberty, reproductive maturity, hormonal changes, secondary sexual characters.

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What is Adolescence?

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Adolescence is a period of life when a child is slowly growing into an adult and attains reproductive capability. One can describe this phase as the phase when you are neither a child anymore nor an adult yet. This period begins from around the age of 11-12 years and can last up to 18-19 years of age. Girls enter the adolescence period a year or two earlier than boys. Also, it varies from person to person; adolescence may begin early in some children whereas it may begin a year or two later in others. All of this is completely normal and natural.

Adolescence

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Adolescence and Puberty

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Adolescence and puberty can be a little confusing at times. These two terms usually overlap with each other.;

• Adolescence refers to the period of life when physical and mental changes occur. Or the time period between the onset of puberty and adulthood.
• On the other hand, puberty refers to the changes in the child’s physical and sexual characteristics leading to sexual maturity. It occurs due to hormonal changes.

Read More: Difference between adolescence and puberty

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Changes at puberty

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As a child grows, the body undergoes many changes. But what is so different about puberty? The onset of puberty is marked by changes caused by hormones leading to sexual maturity and reproductive capability. Boys and girls show different changes during adolescence. Puberty ends when an individual attains reproductive maturity, that is, the beginning of adulthood.

The changes at puberty include:

Increase in height

One of the most common and noticeable changes is the sudden increase in height. As the secretion of growth hormones increases, the long bones grow rapidly. The height reaches its maximum at the age of 18 years. Initially girls grow faster than boys, but by the age of 18 both attain their maximum heights.

Physical changes in male and female

Change in body shape

You must have noticed that boys of 12-14 years of age have broader shoulders and narrower waists compared to the boys of younger age. Similarly, in girls, the region below the waist widens. All these changes are signs that your body might have also entered the age of puberty.

Change in voice

This change is specific to boys only because as the body starts growing, the voice box or larynx in boys starts to grow as well. As the voice box grows, it protrudes out of the throat, the protruding part is called Adam’s apple. Boys have a deeper and hoarse voice, whereas girls usually have a high-pitched voice.

Increased secretion of sweat and sebaceous gland

The activity of the sweat gland and sebaceous gland increases during the adolescence period. This results in the occurrence of acne and pimple on the face. These changes are caused by hormones.

Development of sex organs

In males, the sex organs, testes, and penis develop completely during puberty. The testes start producing sperms. In females, the ovaries develop, and eggs mature. Ovaries start releasing matured eggs. Hence the beginning of the menstrual cycle, or menarche is marked at this age.

Check out: Male and female reproductive organs

Mental maturity

Adolescence is more than just physical changes, it also includes mental and intellectual maturity. You must have noticed, there is a significant change in the way you think and the way you process thoughts. Well, you are growing up! You are in the process of being an adult. Adolescents tend to spend more time thinking, this is the time when the brain has the greatest capacity for learning new things.;

Secondary sexual characters

Secondary sexual characters are the features that help you distinguish between a male and a female. During puberty, the secondary sexual characters start forming. In girls, breasts begin to develop. In boys, facial hair starts to appear, mustache and beard.

• Both boys and girls show some common changes like hair under the armpit and pubic region.
• These changes are caused by hormonal changes in boys and girls.

Secondary sexual characters

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Hormonal changes during Puberty

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Hormones are chemical substances released from the endocrine glands directly to the bloodstream. As the hormone is released into the bloodstream, it reaches the target site, and the target site responds to the hormone.

The hormones responsible for the male and female secondary sexual characters are testosterone and estrogen in males and females respectively.

Hormonal changes during Puberty

Testosterone

• In males, the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate the release of testosterone from the testes in males.;
• This results in the development of all the secondary sexual characters in males, like the growth of facial hair, formation of sperms in the testes, hair under the armpits, and the pubic region.

Estrogen

• In females, the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate the ovary to release estrogen.;
• Estrogen reaches the target sites and causes enlargement of breasts, maturation of the egg in the ovary, the release of a matured egg, widening of the waist, etc.

Pituitary gland

• Pituitary glands are located in the brain. It is known as the master of the endocrine gland.
• It plays an important role in the production of hormones.
• It also secretes growth hormone that helps maintain the overall growth of a person.

Thyroid gland

• This is an organ located in the throat and is shaped like a butterfly.
• It releases a hormone called thyroxin.
• This hormone helps in maintaining a balance of all metabolic activities.
• The deficiency of this hormone in the body can lead to a swelling of the thyroid gland which eventually causes goiter.

Pancreas

• The pancreas is responsible for secreting insulin which helps to maintain the sugar level in the body.
• The deficiency of this hormone can cause diabetes.

Adrenal Glands

• The adrenal glands are located right above the kidney.;
• Throughout life, they change their shape as they shrink in size as a person matures.;
• They release a hormone called adrenaline that helps in maintaining the pH levels and salt balance in the body.

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Reproductive Maturity

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Reproductive maturity or sexual maturity is the capability of an organism to reproduce sexually. Both males and females become sexually mature during the onset of puberty.;

Males become sexually mature when they start producing sperms in the testes. And females become sexually mature after they start releasing mature eggs or after menarche.

Reproductive phase of life in humans

Adolescents become sexually mature when they start producing viable gametes. For females, the reproductive phase starts from around 11 or 12 years of age and lasts up to 45 to 50 years of age. But for males, the reproductive phase is much longer.

Menstruation

In females, the ova begins to mature with the onset of puberty. They have two ovaries.

• In each menstrual cycle, one of the ovaries releases a single mature ova that is capable of being fertilized by sperm. During this time the uterine wall or the endometrial wall thickens to receive the fertilized egg in case the fertilization occurs. Fertilization and subsequent implantation of the fertilized egg results in pregnancy.
• When the mature egg remains unfertilized, the released egg, along with the thickened endometrial wall with its blood vessels is shed off. This is what you see as menstrual blood. It occurs once every 28 to 30 days. This is called menstruation.
• The first time one experiences menstrual flow is called menarche. And the stoppage of the menstrual cycle at the age of about 50 years is called menopause.
• So, the reproductive phase in females starts from menarche and lasts up to menopause.

Menstrual Cycle

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Maintaining Health

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For a healthy body and mind, a balanced diet and proper exercise are extremely important for individuals of all age groups.;

• During adolescence, this becomes even more vital, because adolescence marks the beginning of reproductive life and rapid growth.;
• A balanced diet, personal hygiene, and regular exercise are the three pillars of a healthy individual.
• Fruits, vegetables, milk, fish, dal comprise a well-balanced diet. Try to incorporate these in your daily meal.
• Avoid packaged food. Do not replace your meals with fast foods and packaged food.
• Special attention to personal hygiene is to be paid during menstruation.
• Girls of reproductive age should take plenty of iron-rich food, as anemia is very common among girls.;
• Physical exercise is important for both girls and boys of all ages to stay fit and strong.
• Adolescent pregnancy is something of great concern in a country like India. In rural areas, girls of 15-16 years of age are married, despite all the rules and regulations from the Govt. of India. Adolescent pregnancy poses health risks to both mother and the child, as the teenage mother is not yet mentally or physically ready for the pregnancy.

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Things to remember

• Adolescence is the time period when the child undergoes various physical and mental changes and is moving closer to adulthood each day.
• Puberty is caused as a result of hormonal changes in the body. Puberty refers to the changes that lead to reproductive maturity, it includes secondary sexual characters, increase in height, change in body shape, etc.
• Hormones secreted from the endocrine glands or endocrine system play the main role in all the changes observed in adolescents.;
• Testosterone refers to the male hormone that is produced by testes. This leads to major changes in males at the times of puberty.;
• Estrogen is the female hormone produced by the ovaries that results in all the changes occurring in a female body during adolescence.
• The pituitary gland orchestrates the secretion of all the hormones. It stimulates the testes and the ovaries to produce testosterone and estrogen in males and females respectively.
• The onset of puberty is also marked by the development of secondary sexual characters in both males and females. Secondary sexual characters are the features that distinguish a male from a female. It includes enlargement of breasts in females, facial hair in males, and other changes.
• Menstruation is the shedding off of the thickened uterine wall along with the blood vessels and the released mature ova after each menstrual cycle.;