Sexual Health

5. Emotions and Body

5.5. Puberty

Puberty

Picture: Painting by E. Munch

Between the ages of 6 and 12, most children continue the exploration of their own bodies and sexuality. They look into the mirror, have a shower alone, trying on clothes alone or with other children. 

Before puberty, there is little gender distinction between boys and girls. Puberty with its hormonal changes usually starts when the child is between the age of 8 and 15. For girls the start of puberty is generally between the age of 10 and 11, for boys between 11 and 12. The child body slowly transforms itself into an adult shape. Puberty begins «suddenly» with a rush of hormones being produced; a rush that will induce many new and unknown feelings in the child.

The hormones start producing chemical substances that send signals to the body. The brain (hypothalamus and XX) sends out signals to different parts of the body. Many different hormones are being produced, sex hormones among them. In the female body, oestrogen is being produced in the ovaries. In the male body, testosterone is produced in the testicles. These hormones send signals to the body, and as a result the body undergoes changes.

During puberty, bones, cartilage, fat and muscles also grow. Some grow fast, others slowly. Young people can grow over 10 cm in a year. Girls stop growing when they are about 16 years old. Boys stop growing when they are about 18 years old. The muscles of boys are doubled in puberty, less in girls. Fat stock in girls is increased on hips and breasts (2).

Before the onset of puberty, boys’ testicles are the size of hazelnuts. During puberty, they grow into walnut-size. In the male body, the Adam’s apple also starts growing. Boys can get a more unstable voice for a while. The vocal cords will grow longer and thicker. The larynx also grows and develops. Some boys’ voices can deepen by one whole octave (2).

The penis is necessary to pee. It is about 2-3 cm long before puberty. During puberty, the testicles and penis develop. Hair grows around the penis. The thighs grow longer and thicker between the ages of 10 and 15 years. At age 17 the penis is grown to adult size (2).

Drawing; Henriette 13 years old