Puberty is the period between ages 9 to 16 where growing boys and girls experience noticeable changes in their body. They mature to be fertile and can be able to reproduce. Its onset varies among individuals. Puberty occurrence among girls is usually earlier than in boys. Apart from physical and biological transformations, teens during this phase experience psychosocial and emotional development.
Puberty in Girls
They tend to grow and mature faster than boys. Girls in this century are recorded to begin this phase earlier compared to the recent years. For instance, the normal age for a girl to begin her menstruation in the 1900 used to be 15 years. Statistics have since changed. The age has dropped ( Lanes et al, 2019 ). Girls as young as 10 years are receiving their menses. It can be attributed to nutritional, environmental and biological influences.
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Principle Signs
In most girls, one major change they notice is growing faster than they did during childhood. Some grow fat and hips broaden. They then experience development of breast buds. The growth of pubic hair typically appears followed by sweating a lot especially at the armpits. Their hair and skin changes. Some girls experience a smooth and flawless skin while others get an outbreak of pimples ( Mendle, Beltz, Carter, & Dorn, 2019) . Genitals develop then they start having discharge from their private parts. This will be followed by menstruation which in most cases occurs 2 and a half years after the onset of puberty.
Structure and Function Relationship during Puberty
Puberty is an important time in the life of a teenager because it signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood. Studies show that adolescents during this phase tend to reason and act more maturely than the way they used to ( Eugster, 2019) . It is because their brain changes the way it functions and adjusts to the phase they are going through. Girls realise they are more beautiful and some will get shy when talked to with someone of opposite sex. Some will opt to be alone while others will be really outgoing.
Why This Is an Important Topic
Puberty is a vital topic among girls because it is associated with major psychological changes that affect their emotional and social relationships. It is during this phase that they get to identify their inner self and to understand themselves as they grow to be women. Talking to them about it will help them know what to expect. They will be able keep away from risky sexual behaviours that lead to unwanted pregnancies and contacting Sexually Transmitted Diseases. During their menses they will be well prepared on how to protect themselves and how to go about hygiene which is key during that phase ( Bozzola et al, 2019 ). Some will experience a lot pain when having their periods, prior talk about it will help get remedy for it hence making their life to be normal just like any other day. What happens to these girls during puberty impacts their well being and health across their life span, that is why this topic will always be useful even in the future.
Conclusion
It’s good to know about the changes that come with puberty but it’s more important to know that everybody goes through it. Every girl develops differently at her own pace so if a friend started before or vice versa there is no need to be discouraged. Our girls need to be assured that no matter how the changes may occur one thing is for sure, they will still grow to be women. Talking to them about it ensures that they live a normal life just like any other person out there.
References
Bozzola, M., Montalbano, C., Bozzola, E., Calcaterra, V., Lazzaro, N., Ferrara, P., & Villani, A. (2019). increased incidence of early onset of puberty in girls. Archives of Pediatrics (ISSN: 2575-825X) .
Eugster, E. A. (2019). Update on Precocious Puberty in Girls. Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology .
Lanes, R., Lindberg, A., Carlsson, M., Chrysis, D., Aydin, F., Camacho-Hübner, C., ... & Davenport, M. (2019). Near Adult Height in Girls with Turner Syndrome Treated with Growth Hormone Following Either Induced or Spontaneous Puberty. The Journal of pediatrics .
Mendle, J., Beltz, A. M., Carter, R., & Dorn, L. D. (2019). Understanding puberty and its measurement: ideas for research in a new generation. Journal of Research on Adolescence , 29 (1), 82-95.
