See also: Puberty: The Facts for Boys
Girls go through puberty—the body's way to transition from childhood to adult functioning—between ages 8 and 14. While just about everyone goes through puberty (see our companion article outlining changes to boys' bodies during puberty), it brings with it physical, emotional and behavioral changes that can make a girl feel isolated from her family and peers.
Physical Changes
Physical signs of puberty in girls include:
- The development of breast buds as early as age eight
- Menstruation, usually beginning 18 to 24 months later
- Vaginal discharge
- Hair growth under the arms and in the genital area
- Increased muscle mass and strength
- A curvier body shape
- An increase in sweating
- More active oil glands, often leading to acne and other changes to skin and hair
On average, girls get their first period just before turning 13, and their peak growth period (affecting height, weight and muscle mass) occurs about a year later.
“These changes can be scary for a young girl, so it is important for a parent or guardian to talk to her before they develop so she will know what to expect,” says Brooks Michael, an adolescent health educator with Carilion Clinic who works with students in Roanoke City’s high schools.
Precocious and Delayed Puberty
All healthy adolescents go through puberty, and they do it on their body’s own timetable. Girls may begin the process before their friends and classmates, or they may notice their friends maturing faster than they are.
Neither case is cause for concern, although she may experience unwanted attention or teasing, which is common at that age as children begin to differentiate themselves from others more.
However, if a girl experiences precocious puberty—beginning before age eight—the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a trip to her pediatrician to see if an abnormality in the pituitary gland is causing it.
“Precocious puberty is fairly uncommon,” says Carilion Clinic’s Jeri Lantz, M.D., chief of General Internal Medicine and co-section chief of Adolescent Medicine. “The first step is to determine the cause of the hormone shift and treatment determined based on that cause.”
AAP also recommends consulting your daughter’s pediatrician if she hasn’t begun puberty by age 14.
Emotional Changes
Emotional and cognitive changes typically accompany the monumental physical changes girls experience during puberty. For many girls, it can be overwhelming and result in bouts of crying and other emotional outbursts, or seclusion behind her closed bedroom door.
“Remind her that she’s going through something that all women experience, including her friends, her mother and other women she admires,” says Brooks.
Although her mood swings and quick changes from energetic to exhausted (and back again) may be unpleasant, it is important be patient and understanding.
Healthy Habits for Life
Other ways of addressing puberty include paying more attention to hygiene and introducing healthy habits that she can use throughout her life.
"With all the changes in their bodies, it is important for adolescents to get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly,” said Dr. Lantz. “It's important for them to drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet that is rich in whole vegetables and fruits and with less processed and sweetened foods and beverages."
Puberty is also a good time for girl to begin to have a medical relationship with her own primary care physician as well as a gynecologist.
