girls+Physical+change

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**What is puberty?**
Between the ages of 10 and 14 most boys and girls begin to notice changes taking place in their bodies. These changes, which occur over a number of years, are generally referred to as puberty. The changes take place in all boys and girls but they will start at different times and take place at different rates. Not everyone starts puberty between the ages of 10 and 14, some people start younger, and some much later. Similarly, in some people all the changes take place in two years, and in others they can take as long as four years. Generally they start between ages 7 and 13 in girls and ages 9 and 15 in boys. Puberty starts when extra amounts of chemicals called hormones start to be produced in the body. These hormones guide the changes that take place in the body. As well as causing physical changes these hormones also cause emotional changes.

**What are the physical changes that take place in girls during puberty?**
As a girl progresses through the stages of puberty, she will grow taller and her body shape will change. Her chest will appear less flat as her breasts begin to grow. The first sign that a girl's breasts are developing is when small bumps (sometimes called "breast buds") become noticeable on her chest. Some girls find that their breasts or nipples start to tingle or itch whilst they grow. These feelings stop when the breasts stop growing. Breasts grow into a variety of shapes and sizes, and many girls' breasts remain small throughout their adult lives. It is also normal for one breast to grow faster than the other. Usually breasts become more even as they reach full development. However, most girls' breasts will always be slightly uneven in shape and size. // This diagram is only a representation. All girls’ bodies look different and breasts come in many different shapes and sizes.//

A girl's hips will get wider and rounder. Hair, often called pubic hair, will start to grow between her legs. At first this hair will be fine and straight. As a girl progresses through the stages of puberty, her pubic hair will grow thicker and become curlier. // This diagram is only a representation. All girls’ bodies look different.  // 
 * [|Physical Changes for Females]
 * [|Breasts]
 * [[image:webkit-fake-url://569856D6-DCFA-4F68-ADA2-9F846A3C2892/RTEmagicC_5baa0a7107.jpg.jpg caption="RTEmagicC_5baa0a7107.jpg.jpg"]]
 * [|Pubic Hair]
 * [|Growing!]
 * [|Acne]
 * [[image:webkit-fake-url://9448CFC1-3257-4335-9BE7-DC9D679656C2/acne1b.jpg caption="acne1b.jpg"]]
 * [|Timing of Puberty]

**Physical Changes for Females**

 * **Puberty Event** || **Age at which it happens** ||
 * Growth of breasts || 7-13 ||
 * Growth of pubic hair || 7-14 ||
 * Body Growth || 9 1/2-14 1/2 ||
 * First Period || 10-16 1/2 ||
 * Underarm Hair || 2 years after pubic hair shows up ||
 * Acne || Around the same time as underarm hair ||
 * Acne || Around the same time as underarm hair ||

Remember, puberty is not the same for everyone, so some girls will grow pubic hair before they develop breasts, and that is absolutely normal.

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**Breasts**
Breast development begins between 7 years of age and 13 years of age and continues through puberty. Breast development starts with the flat area around the nipple (areola) becoming enlarged and some breast tissue forming under the nipple. When breast development is complete, each breast is distinct and the areola no longer appears swollen.

Breast size varies from woman to woman, and there is no way to try to make your breasts larger or smaller other than going through plastic surgery, which is not always a very safe or healthy alternative. [|Back to top]

**Pubic Hair**
Pubic hair starts along the vaginal lips, the outer opening of your private parts. The hair becomes darker and coarser and grows like an inverted triangle. Sometimes, the hair spreads to the insides of thighs, as well. [|Back to top]

**Growing!**
Puberty also causes you to go through a growth spurt, which results in an average growth of about 3.5 inches a year. Your head, hands, and feet are the first things to grow. Then you grow in your arms and legs, and finally your torso and shoulders catch up with the rest of your body.

If it’s any consolation, everyone goes through that awkward phase, so you are not alone! Height growth is of course accompanied by an increase in weight. This weight gain is perfectly normal and a part of puberty. Without gaining this weight, you cannot grow taller, develop breasts, or get your first period. [|Back to top]

**Acne**
Finally underarm hair begins to grow, and your sweat and oil producing glands also start developing, which eventually results in acne when these glands are clogged. In order to avoid breakouts, you should wash your face twice daily. If you still regularly break out, you may want to speak to a dermatologist. [|Back to top]

**Timing of Puberty**
Puberty starts at different times and lasts for different periods of time for everyone. It can start as early as 7 years of age to as late as 13 years of age. The sequence of puberty from breast development to complete physical maturation may take a year and a half or last as long as 6 years.

This is sometimes very difficult for girls as some of their peers may have entered and completed puberty before they have even started. However, there is no way to slow or speed up the process, but puberty happens to everyone, so never fear, it will happen to you!

You may have heard that girls mature more quickly than guys, and that is somewhat true, since girls usually enter puberty about 2 years earlier than boys.