How Does a Male Know When He Hits Puberty?
When a male starts to notice his genitals growing and pubic hair forming, he is likely undergoing the process of puberty. During this process, a male’s voice starts to deepen, his body structure and size starts to grow, and he begins to secrete more glands that produce sweat and oil. It is during the pubertal process that a child’s body is transformed into an adult body.
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Early Signs
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The first sign of puberty is genital growth. During the onset of puberty, enlargement of the testes and scrotum occurs. As these parts develop and grow, the penis also goes through a stage of enlargement in size and in length. As this enlargement process continues, pubic hair growth becomes more apparent. Hair begins to surround the genitalia area and becomes darker over a period of time. Hair growth may also spread to the thighs and the stomach area.
Other Changes
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Reproductive functions also continue to mature. The testes start to produce sperm, which is present in semen when a penis ejaculates. A male’s voice also fluctuates during puberty. This change sometimes results in a "crack" in the male voice. Hormones also increase oil secretion, especially in facial areas. This may result in varying amounts and types of acne on the skin. Lastly, males go through a "growth spurt," where hands, feet, arms and legs increase in size.
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Considerations
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Although these pubertal changes are common in all males, every male body is different and each individual may develop at different times. While some males may start the early stages of puberty at the age of 9, others may not even start until they are 14, according to the University of Virginia Health System. The order of these changes may also vary between males. Although there are no methods to increase or decrease the rate of puberty, it inevitably happens to everyone.
Challenges
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Males that develop severe acne may become embarrassed by their appearance. However, this is a common and often temporary problem, which can be treated with topical ointments and by washing the face daily. Males may also be embarrassed by the fluctuations in their voice. It is important to remember that this change is temporary and voices will become stable after the vocal cords fully develop.
Time Frame
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The age that each male starts each pubertal change varies. According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, testicular growth starts between the ages of 10 to 13 1/2, while pubic hair growth occurs between the ages of 10 to 15. Body growth happens between the ages of 10 ½ to 16 ½, with added weight fluctuating between 15 to 65 pounds and added height ranging from 4 to 12 inches. Penis growth and voice changes occur between the ages of 11 to 14 ½.
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References
- Photo Credit boy image by Edvin selimovic from Fotolia.com
