What is the average age to hit puberty

Boys may experience growth of their penis, small amounts of facial hair, and a deepening of their voice. According to the National Institutes of Health, puberty usually begins in girls between 8 and 13 years of age, and in boys between 9 and 14 years of age.

Puberty is considered to be early in boys before age 8 and girls before 9 years old. Benjamin said. Some causes of early puberty in girls include thyroid disorders , abnormal brain structure, exposure to radiation therapy, or ovarian cysts. Genetic conditions may result in early puberty and can be detected with testing.

Early puberty in boys is more likely to be caused by an underlying disease. Causes of early puberty in boys are similar to girls, and include thyroid disorders , abnormal brain structure, exposure to radiation therapy, and certain genetic conditions. Your child may have a noticeable growth spurt because of their early puberty, but one of its complications is an abrupt and early end of that growth, leading to short stature as an adult.

Children with early puberty are more at risk for low self-esteem, depression, and substance abuse. Your son or daughter may require counseling to help address the changes in their body and the effects of any treatments they receive.

Your doctor will help you access counseling services. Blood tests may also uncover hormonal changes. Additional tests may include an ultrasound for girls to check for ovarian cysts, or a brain MRI for boys and girls to look for abnormalities. You can also use deodorant under your arms. Deodorant comes in many good-smelling scents or you can use one that's unscented.

Some deodorants come in a white stick that you can twist up. Lots of people put this on after showering or bathing before they put their clothes on. Otherwise, the white stick deodorants can leave white marks on your clothes. You can also choose a deodorant that's clear instead of white.

If you find these products aren't working for you, talk with your doctor. An erection is what happens when your penis fills up with blood and hardens. The penis will become bigger and stand out from the body. Boys will start to notice erections occurring more often when they reach puberty.

And they're perfectly normal. An erection can happen at any time. You can get many in one day or none at all. It depends on your age, sexual maturity, level of activity, and even the amount of sleep you get.

An erection can happen even when you're sleeping. Sometimes you might wake up and your underwear or bed is wet. You may worry that this means you wet your bed like when you were little, but chances are you had a nocturnal emission, or "wet dream. Semen is released through the urethra — the same tube that urine pee comes out of. This is called ejaculation. Wet dreams occur when a boy's body starts making more testosterone.

This change for boys is little bit like when a girl gets her period. It's a sign a boy is growing up and the body is preparing for the day in the future when a man might decide to be a father. Semen contains sperm, which can fertilize a woman's egg and begin the process that ends with a baby being born. Although some boys might feel embarrassed or even guilty about having wet dreams, a boy can't help it. Almost all boys normally experience them at some time during puberty and even as adults.

But if you ever have pain or a problem with your penis or testicles, it is important that someone take you to the doctor. You may think "Man, I don't want to go to the doctor for that!

It's a doctor's job to help you take care of your body — even that part. Reviewed by: KidsHealth Medical Experts. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. But how do boys know they are growing into men?

Let's find out. Here are some of the questions boys have. If your doctor recommends weightlifting, here are some tips: Have a qualified coach or trainer supervise you. It's smart to have somebody show you the proper way to lift weights. This will help you gain strength and prevent injury. Use lighter weights. Your coach or trainer can recommend the right amount. Lifting heavy weights can cause injuries and then you'll have to wait until you recover before you can work out again.

Do repetitions. It's better to lift a smaller amount of weight a bunch of times than to try to lift a heavy weight once or twice. Log in Register. Ages and Stages. Healthy Living. Safety and Prevention. Family Life. Health Issues. Tips and Tools. Our Mission. Find a Pediatrician. Text Size. Delayed Puberty in Boys: Information for Parents. Page Content. How is delayed puberty in boys defined?

What causes delayed puberty in boys? What are the signs and symptoms of delayed puberty in boys? How is delayed puberty diagnosed?

How is delayed puberty treated in boys? The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician.

There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. Related Articles. Delayed Puberty in Girls: Information for Parents. The growth spurt starts shortly after breasts begin to develop, and the first menstrual cycle begins about years later. Read More.