Puberty
Puberty is the process in which a human child’s body matures into an adult capable of sexual reproduction. It is initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the ovaries in females and testes in males, also known as the gonads. In response to these signals, the gonads produce the hormones required for the physiological transformation of the human body, including changes to the sex organs and the stimulation of sexual desire in people (i.e., the libido).
The physical growth (i.e., increased height and weight) of the human body accelerates during puberty and completes once an adult body has been fully developed. Prior to puberty, boys and girls are distinguished by their primary sex organs, namely the penis and vagina, respectively. Following puberty, these differences are further highlighted with secondary sexual characteristics. For men, this includes:
The onset of puberty varies between genders and individuals. Girls typically start going through puberty beginning around the ages 10-11 and complete it around the ages of 16-17. Boys tend to start puberty later than girls (around the ages of 11-12), but end around the same age (i.e., 16-17). Again, once a human person completes puberty, they are physically an adult. This includes the desire to have sexual relations, along with the ability to reproduce sexually.
The physical growth (i.e., increased height and weight) of the human body accelerates during puberty and completes once an adult body has been fully developed. Prior to puberty, boys and girls are distinguished by their primary sex organs, namely the penis and vagina, respectively. Following puberty, these differences are further highlighted with secondary sexual characteristics. For men, this includes:
- The growth of facial hair and body hair, including underarm, abdominal, chest hair, and pubic hair
- The enlargement of the “Adam's apple” (i.e., larynx) and a deepening of the voice
- Increased height (e.g., adult males tend to be taller than adult females)
- Heavier bone structure
The onset of puberty varies between genders and individuals. Girls typically start going through puberty beginning around the ages 10-11 and complete it around the ages of 16-17. Boys tend to start puberty later than girls (around the ages of 11-12), but end around the same age (i.e., 16-17). Again, once a human person completes puberty, they are physically an adult. This includes the desire to have sexual relations, along with the ability to reproduce sexually.
Nuts & Bolts: Puberty
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