Adolescence - a time when your reproductive system matures and you find major physical changes happening all the time.

Sexual Development of Girls
Sexual Development of Boys

Girls usually mature about two years earlier than boys, but this may be different for individual within both gender groups. You'll notice that some boys and girls will develop "early" or "late" - it's natural and nothing to worry about.

But sometimes it doesn't feel like there is nothing to worry about. Because everyone is changing at different rates, you might feel isolated or separated from others in your group of friends or classmates - maybe because you're physically advance or delayed relative to others. EVERYONE seems to be feeling this way! And, guess what, everyone gets through it - even when it feels as though it will go on forever!!!

With the changes in your body happening so fast, you might feel a bit more clumsy than normal - it will pass when you get accustomed to your new proportions. Boys usually reach their full height between the ages of 18 and 20 while girls often reach full height between 16 and 17.

Here are some of the changes you should expect during adolescence. While girls develop breasts and begin menstruation, boys' voices most noticeably change at this time and may experience wet dreams - the development of acne, however, is something that everyone might experience at this time, irregardless of sex!

Sexual Development of Girls

For most girls, sexual maturation begins at about age 11, as fatty tissue accumulates around nipples, forming small "breast buds".

Often pubic hair begins to appear later. About one-third of all girls develop some pubic hair before breasts begin to develop.

During adolescence, there may be a height spurt and breasts may grow rapidly. Sex organs begin to mature - internally the vagina becomes larger and the womb is stronger, externally the genitals also increase in size and become more sensitive to touch.

Often within a year, breasts and pubic hair will have fully developed and armpit hair is present.

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Sexual Development of Boys

For most boys, sexual maturation begins at about age 11 to 13, as the testes and scrotum experience an initial enlargement.

Often the growth of testes is often accompanies or soon followed by the appearance of pubic hair.

About six months to a year later, the penis undergoes a period of rapid growth that happens about the same time as a general growth spurt.

By the time the penis is fully developed - often around 15 years - a boy reaches puberty and is now capable of fathering a child.

Facial hair tends to grow later. A moustache may first grow at the upper lips and then spread to the upper cheeks and finally to the chin. Body hair also begins to grow, although with some boys, chest hair may not appear until the later teens or early twenties, if hair appears at all.

During adolescence, boys' voices change to the low tone of an adult male.

mature - adjective acting or seeming like an adult: showing mental, emotional, or physical characteristics that are typical of a fully developed adult person. Philip is only 12 but he's very tall and already quite mature. experienced: showing qualities gained by development and experience. in the author's mature writings adult: adult or fully grown. a mature animal capable of breeding BIOLOGY fully developed: fully developed to a complete or final stage FOOD WINE old and of good flavour: old enough to have acquired the maximum flavour mature cheddar in later life: no longer young. the wisdom shown by the mature dramatist adult: made up of or suitable only for adults. Because of the subject matter of this movie it is recommended for mature audiences only. involving serious thought: involving or reached by a period of serious thought. On mature reflection, I feel it would be wiser to sell. FINANCE due for payment: used to describe a financial arrangement that has reached a previously set or mutually agreed-on time limit and is therefore due for payment or repayment mature bonds verb (past matured, past participle matured, present participle maturing, 3rd person present singular matures) [14th century. Directly or via French from Latin maturus ripe, mature, timely, early (source also of Old French mur, which produced English demure). The underlying idea is of earliness, calmness.] Encarta(registered) World English Dictionary [North American Edition] (copyright)  & (P) 2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

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