AsclepioPuberty: body changes in 3D
Puberty is the stage of development when the body matures and becomes able to reproduce. It usually starts between ages 8 and 13 in girls and between 9…
Explained for every age
For kids (7–11)
Puberty is the stage when the bodies of girls and boys start turning into the body of an adult. It usually begins between ages 8 and 14, but everyone has their own pace: nobody is late or early! You grow faster, your skin and your voice change, and so do your feelings. If you have questions, talk with an adult you trust.
For teens (12–16)
Puberty is the stage of development when the body matures and becomes able to reproduce. It usually starts between ages 8 and 13 in girls and between 9 and 14 in boys, and the order of the changes varies. In many girls the first change is breast development, then hair appears on the pubis and in the armpits, and the first period usually comes last. In many boys the testicles and penis begin to grow, then hair appears, muscles grow, the voice gets deeper and facial hair shows up. Both go through a growth spurt and may get acne. Comparing your pace with other people's doesn't help: every body follows its own calendar.
Pre-Med (17+)
Puberty is the process of sexual maturation that culminates in reproductive capacity. It begins with the reactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis: GnRH pulses increase, stimulating the secretion of LH and FSH, which in turn raise gonadal sex steroids. The typical female sequence is thelarche, pubarche, peak height velocity and menarche; in males it begins with an increase in testicular volume, followed by pubarche, the growth spurt and voice change. Precocious puberty is defined as onset before age 8 in girls and 9 in boys; delayed puberty may be constitutional or due to hypogonadism. The average age of onset has decreased compared with the 19th century.
What you can explore
Puberty hormonesGrowth spurtSkin, sweat and body hairVoice changeEmotions and self-imageHygiene during puberty
Missions
- I'm growing up! Explorer
- Hormones, voice and self-care Discoverer
- The puberty axis Pre-Med