The puberty age in females is around 8 to 13 years. Breast development, pubic hair, body odor, and acne are the signs of puberty. Learn about delayed puberty at Meri Sehat.

13 Going On 13 (Female Puberty)

Introduction

So, your child went through a growth spurt? Do they suddenly find no joy in leisure activities that they previously enjoyed? Do they spend most of their time locked in their room, huddled over a computer? Congratulations, they&rsquo;ve just hit puberty!&nbsp; These are just some of the first signs that your kid is well on their way to adulthood.&nbsp;

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Puberty is a significant phase of life. As your child undergoes this transition from youth to adulthood, it&rsquo;s only natural that they &ndash; or, by extension, you &ndash; notice this change. Essentially, this is what puberty is &ndash; the developmental growth and generational changes because of several underlying hormonal changes<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.&nbsp;

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The most important part of puberty, of course, is the physical transformation that happens as a result of sexual development. It ensures the reproductive capability of the now mature adult.&nbsp;

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Girls and those assigned females at birth (AFAB) by and large start and end puberty about a year sooner than boys and those assigned males at birth (AMAB). Usually, girls start puberty between the ages of 8 and 13<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.

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While the signs and stages of puberty for a particular gender are, by and large, same for everyone, the fact is that puberty is a challenging time, and everyone adapts to it in an individualistic way. Societal norms, expectations, and values, along with academic pressure, compel an individual to react unexpectedly, especially if the person is a young girl learning to manage the hormonal developments she is suddenly experiencing. Therefore, the arrival of mood swings, recurrent emotional breakdowns, and increasing tendency to engage in arguments with parents and siblings should not intimidate or startle you<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.&nbsp;

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Understanding Puberty in Females

Given that puberty is a phase unique to the developing child, it might seem unlikely that a guardian would have any role to play in it. That is NOT the case. Your child is confused. Let them scream at the top of their lungs that &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know what it feels like&rdquo;; you know it&rsquo;s not true. You have gone through it yourself! And only you can put them at ease through the whole process. Trust yourself. Your child will thank you later.

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<ul>
	<li>Be empathetic as you enjoy the luxury of several decades of experience to deal with unbridled hormones, which your teenage daughter has just started developing.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Ensure that such behavioral challenges are only temporary. <a href="https://merisehat.pk/doctor-now">Consult with a therapist</a> regularly so you and your child can always initiate healthy discussions in a respectable tone.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>For some kids, symptoms can be very debilitating, and would warrant consultations with licensed practitioners. In extreme cases, teenagers can be prescribed hormonal therapy to ease discomfort<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

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This article is about the observable changes you might witness while your young girl steps into adolescence.

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<h5>Should You Hand Them A Razor?</h5>

A very evident stage of puberty is announced through the arrival and prominence of body hair. Coarser hair will start to develop in the genital region, under the arms, and on the forearms and legs. And while according to the Tanner stages or the sexual maturity ratings (SMRs)<a href="#accordion">[8]</a>, hair growth is secondary to breast development, it is important to note that for nearly 15% of girls, pubic hair is the primary indication of puberty<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>&nbsp;i.e., hair growth occurs before breast development.

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But, before you start pointing out the coarser and darker hair growth on your daughter&rsquo;s arms or legs, remember that society has already stigmatized something as natural as hair growth. Have a conversation with your daughter about hair. Let her know that it is not something to be insecure about, and whether she prefers to remove it or not, it should be just that, a preference rather than a submission to Eurocentric standards of beauty.&nbsp;

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Now, if she expresses a desire to explore hair-removing methods, then guide her through your experiential dos and don&rsquo;ts. Purchase a razor for her and walk her through the most effective tips to ensure minimal risks for cuts, skin irritation, and razor bumps.&nbsp;

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You could advise her to:

<ol>
	<li>Be gentle with the razor and discourage her from applying unnecessary pressure to her delicate skin.</li>
	<li>Be liberal with a gel or hair-removing cream to decrease friction and avoid the razor burns that occur when brushed repeatedly over one area.</li>
	<li>Be possessive, and reiterate how razors should never be shared. Demonstrate how to change old razor blades or&nbsp;the proper way to sanitize them&nbsp; after use</li>
	<li>Become a glazed doughnut and nourish the skin after a shave with skin repairing moisturizers or calming creams.</li>
</ol>

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Other Methods: You could also introduce her to the painful-yet rewarding world of waxing or the affluent need for epilators and electrical razors. But whatever you do, make sure the method is safe and not a particular way to be ashamed of.

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<h5>Trip To Victoria&rsquo;s Secret?</h5>

As a young girl edges towards adolescence, the first noticeable indication is breast development. When ovaries begin to secrete estrogen, fat in the connective tissue begins to accumulate, leading to breast expansion.&nbsp;

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But it is not just the breasts that grow; surrounding areas such as the areola, which is defined as the region of the nipple, may grow and deepen in color. Moreover, the now darker region may become more erect. The conduit ducts additionally begin to dilate and enlarge. Because of the influx of hormones, these breast changes occur at the very instance that pubic hair and armpit hair show up &ndash; aka a complex time of puberty<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>.

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Breasts have been sexualized over countless years and the media continues to promote unrealistic standards of how a normal breast should look like. This unfortunately leads young girls to compare their breasts to their celebrity idols, peers who are also going through puberty, or grown women such as the parental figure.&nbsp;

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Therefore, it is important to reassure your child of the dissimilar and contrasting puberty timetables each individual follows.&nbsp;

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Touch upon the topic lightly or through some recreational activity such as wandering into a bra shop during a trip to the mall and asking the salesperson to show the wide and diverse size categories available. Let your daughter know that her breast growth is appropriate for her body, regardless of how fast or slow it may be according to the anticipated timeline.&nbsp;

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Is your teenage daughter easily irritable or acting unexpectedly? Is she exhibiting signs of behavioral changes? Is there now an invisible barrier of communication between the two of you? Does your child suddenly want more privacy? Don&rsquo;t let that make you feel guilty or sad. It&rsquo;s not about what you did or didn&rsquo;t do.

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Multiple parents share your sentiments at this stage. The rapid hormonal changes your child is going through, besides the crushing academic pressure might be probable causes.&nbsp;

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This sudden desire for independence and privacy should be respected, but simultaneously you should monitor her development. You can talk to her, engage her in a light and friendly discussion without sounding like you&rsquo;re lecturing or shaming her. Insightful dinner discussions regarding body image, emotional challenges, sexuality, and substance abuse should be touched upon frequently rather than making them a domain to be brushed under the rug.&nbsp;

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If you have a growing concern that is impossible to ignore but you don&rsquo;t know how to go about discussing it with your child, then there are various psychological wellness assets you can find online as well as nearby care groups, school therapists, and local area programs that might prove to be useful.

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So, for the time being make it a habit to watch for any hint of consistent gloominess or uncontrollable tension. Don&rsquo;t be preoccupied with it, though. You can let them be unless it&#39;s something really serious, like difficulty in maintaining a consistent sleep schedule or repeated aversion from school or friends, which ought to be talked about and consulted with your child&rsquo;s assigned and allocated therapist. Sometimes, treatment or prescription may be needed<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.

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Puberty also witnesses the onset of the growth spurt. For a long time, it was believed that menarche (or the beginning of the menstrual cycle) marks the end of puberty, but recent studies show otherwise.&nbsp;

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The average growth in height after menarche is around 7 cm (3 inches), and it is much more prominent for girls who menstruate early. Those who menstruate late grow nearly 5 cm (2 inches)<a href="#accordion">[7]</a>.&nbsp;

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Moreover, the growth spurt influences other parts of your daughter&rsquo;s body, such as the widening of her hips. A number of studies support the idea of weight gain during puberty<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>. While highlighting the significance of a healthy diet and multifaceted routine exercise, also focus attention on normalizing such body changes and not forcing your 13-year-old into her prepuberty clothes.

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According to most cultures menstruation is considered as the peak of puberty. It is also considered as&nbsp; the confirmation of a healthy reproductive system. The different stages of the female menstrual cycle, including menstruation and ovulation, are regulated by the management and release of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH) during the earlier stages of puberty<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>.&nbsp;

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There used to be an age bracket for the first period, but new research stresses that all bodies function differently<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. Blood is always an intimidating sight for all individuals, especially young girls who are not expecting it from their vaginas.&nbsp;

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If you start having conversations early with your daughter, you can save her from the shock and embarrassment when she menstruates for the first time. Use medical resources or schedule a visit to the doctor to talk about different flows (heavy or light) and colors (dark or brown spotting)<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.&nbsp;

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Further, instruct them on the safe and proper way to use menstrual cups, tampons, or sanitary pads. Do your part to reduce the ridiculous shame and stigma associated with menstruation so that your child never hesitates from discussing her health.

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Precocious puberty occurs when these physical and hormonal changes happen before their expected time.&nbsp;

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Puberty in girls younger than 8 years was previously considered as precocious. But now, studies show that early pubescent development of breasts and growth of pubic hair are in many cases normal in young girls, especially black girls between the ages of 6 and 8 years.&nbsp;

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During central precocious puberty (CPP), which is gonadotropin-reliant, early development of the entire hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is observed with the full range of physical and hormonal changes of adolescence.&nbsp;

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It should be emphasized here that your child reaching puberty earlier than what is considered normal according to your ethnicity or society is neither good nor bad. Research suggests that the starting age of puberty is gradually decreasing, and it can be due to a variety of uncontrollable factors<a href="#accordion">[1][4]</a>.

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Conclusion

Puberty is an extremely censored topic. All this hush hush surrounding it makes it more mysterious. Rather than a medical rite of passage into adulthood, it is viewed as a societal taboo that should never be mentioned. Caretakers, parents, teachers, and even older siblings can help bridge this communication gap by introducing the topic of puberty to the young ones. It not only ensures that they do not get their information from wrong sources or struggle with any negative pressure or mental health issues due to their development, but also establishes a strong and healthy relationship with your child.

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Puberty refers to the period where a child experiences drastic physical and mental developments due to the production and release of hormones.</li>
	<li>In girls,&nbsp;puberty&nbsp;changes&nbsp;such as menstruation, hair growth, increase in height, skin changes, breast development, and mood swings are observed.</li>
	<li>Precocious puberty refers to the onset of puberty before the age of 8 in girls. Because of advancing climatic conditions and non-static environmental factors, precocious puberty is not considered a disease or ailment.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

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[1] Allen, B., & Miller, K. (2019, June 4). Physical Development in Girls: What to Expect During Puberty. Healthy Children.

[2] Cleveland Clinic. (2022, June 17). What is Puberty for Girls?

[3] John Hopkins Medicine. (2022, July). Normal Breast Development and Changes.

[4] Kaplowitz, P. B. (2022, January 24). Precocious Puberty. Medscape.

[5] Nakamoto, J. M. (2000). Myths and variations in normal pubertal development. The Western journal of medicine, 172(3), 182–185.

[6] Raju, G. A., Chavan, R., Deenadayal, M., Gunasheela, D., Gutgutia, R., Haripriya, G., . . . Patki, A. (2013). Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone synergy: A review of role in controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation. Journal of human reproductive sciences, 6(4), 227–234.

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