Health Journey of a Woman- Hitting Puberty

Puberty is the time period when sex glands become finctional and is characterized by certain ohysical and physiological changes, both in girls and boys.

Puberty in females start between the age of 9-12 years in which they undergo many changes in their physical appearance. The first sign of hitting puberty in girls is the growth of breasts and pubic hair. The vulva, vagina, nipples start to get bigger. Menstruation comes later in the puberty period. Puberty is a period in which girls get to learn many things about their body and how it works. It is through the phase of puberty, how a girl becomes a woman in life. Stages of puberty a girl may experience are as follows:

Breast Development: One of the major and the first signs of puberty in girls are growth of their breasts. The first signs of breasts are called buds and they start to grow under the nipple. These buds might be tender or itchy, which is completely normal.At this time it happens to be that their breasts start to grow bigger and it becomes necessary to wear a bra to support the growing breasts. It is very important to note that every girl has her growth process, some may grow at a faster rate and some may not. Full-grown breasts usually take 2-3 years.

Hair Growth: During the period of puberty, girls get to grow hair in many parts of the body, starting from the pubic area and then the underarms. This usually happens after the growth of breasts but for some girls, pubic hair grows first. The hair gradually becomes thicker and curlier with time.

Vaginal Discharge: Vaginal discharge is usually a yellow or a white stain which girls might notice as they go through puberty, which is a normal process, this discharge is healthy for the vagina to keep it moisten. Girls are likely to get their periods within one year of first white discharge.

Menstruation: The menstrual cycle is a regular change that occurs in the female reproductive system, the vagina starts to discharge blood and tissues from the lining of the uterus at about an interval of one month. Menstruation takes time to happen regularly, it may take two years to set and come in the proper intervals. The very first menstruation (onset) is termed as menarche.

Growth Spurt and Body Shape Change: For most girls, puberty occurs between 8 and 13 years old and the growth spurt occurs between 10 and 14 years old. They grow just 1 to 2 additional inches in the year or two after getting their first period. This is when they reach their adult height. During puberty, girls grow from the hips and develop a healthy, curvy shape.

Over to You

Puberty is the phase of a girl’s life where she goes on the path of becoming a woman. She goes through many changes and her body grows. It’s a life-changing and a beautiful phase which makes a girl grow beautifully. A woman’s journey through puberty is beautiful and one should not get tensed about the changes but enjoy it. If you think you have some unusual changes aprt from the ones mentioned, you might consult a doctor.