8 signs of puberty in girls that every parent should know about

8 signs of puberty in girls that every parent should know about

If you thought handling an infant and a toddler was tough, then wait till your child hits puberty. No, I am not trying to scare you, but dealing with these physiological and psychological changes is challenging. You need a lot of resilience and patience to handle those mood swings and tantrums. Yup, they don’t go away just because your child is not a baby anymore, in fact, it might flare up. Remember boys and girls grow differently. Puberty is the phase of growth and change and each child faces it differently. For girls, it starts around eight or 13 years of age and ends when the body has reached its adult size, shape and height which is around 15 or 13 years of age.

We spoke to Dr Atish Laddad, paediatrician, founder of The Pediatric Network to learn more about puberty. So, if you are a parent to an angel of a girl (not being sarcastic here), these are some of the signs that signals that your girl has hit puberty.

1. Body changes: Yes your little one will be growing into a more feminine self of hers. During puberty, the body grows to be more proportional and reach its ideal height and weight. So, there will be changes in sizes and shapes of various body parts, right from the hands and feet to overall height. She will start to put on weight. Usually, they gain more fat than boys, which is needed for their growth and development. The breasts, arms, thighs, stomach starts to store more fat in response to the hormonal changes that are happening at this time.


2. Body hair: We all are born with some amount of body hair. But during puberty body hair starts growing rapidly. The reason you see them all over the hands and legs. Some amount of hair might also be found on upper lips and forehead and underarms. Know that hair growth is a sign of the hormonal changes.


3. Pubic hair: Hair growth in the genital area is a common sign of puberty. Pubic hair starts growing simultaneously with hair in armpits and as breast start to develop. But in some girls, pubic hair might also start growing before breast development happens. It takes around two to three years for the hair to grow completely. Pubic hair is usually curly and covers almost the entire vaginal area.


4. Acne and skin problems: Pre-teens and teens are going to be bothersome because of acne, but there is hardly any escape. Acne is again an outcome of the hormonal upheavals that happen during this time. The pores of the skin contain sebaceous glands that secrete sebum, a kind of oil that is necessary for both the skin and hair. However, sometimes they might be secreted in excess and clog up the pores along with dead skin cells that could give rise to pimples on your child’s face and back. It is the same sebum which makes her hair look limp and oily.


5. Breast enlargement: This is one of the most visible signs of puberty. Some girls develop breasts as early as eight years of age and some might have delayed development. As the hormone estrogen increases in the body, the mammary glands start to grow and store fat in the area. The size of the breasts depends on how much fat the body stores around that area.


6. Genital development: Some of it is visible and some happen internally and cannot be seen. But changes are happening. The vulva or the outer lips start growing the pubic hair whereas the vagina gets longer and the uterus bigger.


7. Vaginal discharge: It is perfectly normal if you see your child’s undergarments has got yellow or white stains. Vaginal discharge is a sign that menstruation could start soon. However, too much moisture in the area can also lead to yeast infections. So be vigilant and if your child complains about symptoms like itching, irritation or painful urination take it seriously.


8. Menstruation: Menstruation usually happens once the breasts have developed and pubic hair has started to grow. The first period is the most important stage of puberty in girls. However, it takes at least two years for the periods to set in a cycle and the cycles change over the course of life. The length of the period is usually around three to eight days and can be accompanied by cramps, headache and nausea.

While these are some of the typical signs of puberty, know that every child develops at her own pace. However, if by age 17 your daughter doesn’t get her first period or show signs of breast development, it is better to see a doctor.

Image source: Shutterstock