Puberty for Girls: What to expect:
Around 10-11 years
- Breasts will start developing. This is the first visible sign that puberty is starting. It’s normal for the left and right breasts to grow at different speeds. It’s also common for the breasts to be a bit tender as they develop.
- Your daughter will have a growth spurt, and she’ll get taller. Some parts of her body – such as head, face and hands – might grow faster than her limbs and trunk. This might leave her looking out of proportion for a while. The average total height increase for girls is 5-20 cm. Girls usually stop growing at around 16-17 years.
- Your daughter’s body shape will change. For example, her hips will widen.
- Pubic hair will start to grow. It will get darker and thicker over time.
- Hair will start growing under your child’s arms.
- Some girls might start to get a clear or whitish discharge from their vagina before their period. If your daughter reports any itching, pain or a bad or strong odour, check with a doctor.
- Periods (menstruation) will start. This is when the lining of the uterus (womb), including blood, is shed every month. Your daughter might get pain before and during her period, such as headaches or stomach cramps. These are normal. Periods might be irregular at first.
Puberty for Boys: What to except:
Around 11-13 years
Your son will have a growth spurt and get taller. Some parts of his body – such as head, face and hands – might grow faster than his limbs and trunk. This might leave him looking out of proportion for a while. The average total height increase for boys is 10-30 cm. Boys usually stop growing at around 18-20 years.
Around 13-15 years
Hair will start growing on other parts of your son’s body – under his arms, on his face and on the rest of his body. His leg and arm hair will thicken. Some young men will grow more body hair into their early 20s.
Around 13-14 years
The larynx (‘Adam’s apple’ or voice box) will become more obvious. Your son’s larynx will get larger and his voice will ‘break’, eventually becoming deeper. Some boys’ voices move from high to low and back again, even in one sentence. This will stop in time.
- The testes (testicles) and penis will start growing. It’s normal for one testis to grow faster than the other.
- Pubic hair will start growing. It will get darker and thicker over time.
Your son will have a growth spurt and get taller. Some parts of his body – such as head, face and hands – might grow faster than his limbs and trunk. This might leave him looking out of proportion for a while. The average total height increase for boys is 10-30 cm. Boys usually stop growing at around 18-20 years.
Around 13-15 years
Hair will start growing on other parts of your son’s body – under his arms, on his face and on the rest of his body. His leg and arm hair will thicken. Some young men will grow more body hair into their early 20s.
Around 13-14 years
- Your son will start producing testosterone, which stimulates the testes to produce sperm.
- Your son will start getting erections and ejaculating (releasing sperm). During this period, erections often happen for no reason at all. Ejaculation during sleep is often called a ‘wet dream’.
The larynx (‘Adam’s apple’ or voice box) will become more obvious. Your son’s larynx will get larger and his voice will ‘break’, eventually becoming deeper. Some boys’ voices move from high to low and back again, even in one sentence. This will stop in time.