Changes in Adolescence

 Adolescence – the stage of life between childhood and adulthood. (11-15)  Hormones – chemicals substances produced by glands to regulate the way your body functions.

What is Puberty?  Puberty is the process of growth and development in which males and females become capable of producing children. Puberty begins when a small gland near the brain called the pituitary gland starts to release hormones. A hormone is a special chemical which is made in a gland, and is released into the blood stream. Hormones carry messages from one part of your body to another. The hormone adrenaline, for example, is released when you need extra energy, and helps you run faster or perform better during athletic performance.  The pituitary gland is responsible for your growth. In addition, the pituitary hormones also notify the reproductive glands that it is time for some changes in your body. The reproductive glands start making their own hormones. The two major female hormones are called estrogen and progesterone. Both of these hormones are made in the ovaries, and will help a girl develop into a woman. The major male hormone is called testosterone. Testosterone is made in the testicles, and will help a young boy develop into a man.

Endocrine System  The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, and sexual function and reproductive processes.  The endocrine system consists of glands throughout the body that regulate body functions.  The hormones that cause the physical and emotional changes of adolescence are produced by your endocrine system. Also known as the “Master Gland”. Signals the reproductive organs to make sex hormones The pituitary gland also controls ovulation and the menstrual cycle in women Controls the rate at which cells burn fuels from food to produce energy. Thyroid hormones help kids' and teens' bones grow and develop, and they also play a role in the development of the brain and nervous system. Plays a role in the development of a child’s immune system before birth and for a time thereafter. The outer part, produces hormones that influence or regulate salt and water balance in the body, the body's response to stress, metabolism, the immune system, and sexual development and function. The inner part, produces hormones, such as epinephrine. Also called adrenaline, epinephrine increases blood pressure and heart rate when the body experiences stress. Changes associated with puberty, like penis growth, height, deepening voice, and growth in facial and pubic hair, sperm production. Two important hormones, insulin and glucagon. They work together to maintain a steady level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood and to keep the body supplied with fuel to produce and maintain stores of energy. Produce eggs and secrete the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is involved when a girl begins to go through puberty. Estrogen and progesterone are also involved in the regulation of a girl's menstrual cycle. These hormones also play a role in pregnancy.

 When your body reaches a certain age, your brain releases a hormone that starts the changes of puberty. When it reaches the pituitary gland, this gland releases 2 puberty hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones work on different parts of the body depending on if you are a guy or girl. It’s like an alarm.

 Puberty – the time when you start to develop certain characteristics of adults of your own gender. (kids change at different rates)

 During puberty, your body will grow faster than any other time in your life, except for when you were an infant. Back then your body was growing rapidly and you were learning new things-you’ll be doing these things and much more during puberty. Except this time, you won’t have diapers or a ralle and you’ll have to dress yourself!

 In girls, her hormones target the ovaries, which contain eggs that have been there since birth. The hormones stimulate the ovaries to begin producing another hormone called estrogen. Estrogen, along with the others, causes a girl's body to mature and prepares her for pregnancy.

Changes in Girls  Sudden Rapid Growth (11-14, 3 inches, 9 ½ -14 ½ yrs.)  All permanent teeth come in  Breast develop (7-13yrs.)  Pubic hair appears (7-14yrs.)  Underarm hair appears  Acne may appear  Perspiration increases  External genitals enlarge  Hips get wider (10-16 yrs.)  Waistline gets narrow (10-16 yrs.)  Ovulation occurs (10-16 ½ yrs.)  Menstruation starts  Uterus and ovaries develop  Remember this is an average

 For guys, these hormones travel through the blood and give the testes the signal to begin the production of testosterone and sperm. Testosterone is the hormone that causes most of the changes in a guy's body during puberty. Sperm cells must be produced for men to reproduce.

Changes in boys  Sudden rapid growth (13-16yrs, 6-7inches)  All permanent teeth  Acne appears  Underarm hair appears (14 yrs.)  Pubic hair appears (12 yrs.)  Perspiration increases  External genitals enlarge (11-13 yrs.)  Breast may enlarge somewhat (13 yrs.)  Shoulders get broader)  Muscles develop Sperm production starts (14 yrs.)  Facial hair appears (15-16 yrs.)  Larynx gets larger and voice deepens (13-15 yrs.)  Hairline begins to recede  Remember this is an average

ALARM

 Both boys and girls go through some of the same changes, such as growing taller, growing hair under their arms and genital areas, and getting pimples or breakouts on their face, chest, and/or back.  Girls will start their menstrual cycle, and they will begin to develop breasts. Girls typically put on a little weight and become curvier. Boys will begin to grow hair on their faces, their voices will crack and become deeper, and they will develop more muscle mass.

Puberty: Social/Emotional Changes  Mood changes may occur (limbic system). May become irritated, angry, or upset easily.  How to combat this?  Try to calm down by: Taking deep breaths, Counting backwards, thinking calming thoughts, talking  to yourself  Think out loud to solve your problem  Think about it later. Don’t forget about it! Does it still upset you? Use a personal journal to  revisit the situation or talk to a parent/guardian or other trusted adult

Mental Growth  You start to develop your own opinions.  You make your own decisions based on your values and beliefs  Start caring about others  Take responsibility for your actions  Problem solving  Opinions about social issues and politics

Social Growth  Start to spend more time with friends.  Become concerned with being popular.  Concerned with appearance.

 Emotional changes are very common during this stage of life. Because of hormonal changes and rapid drops and increases of certain hormones, it is very common for adolescents going through puberty to have mood swings. Testosterone in boys and estrogen in girls are the hormones that are responsible for many of the changes during puberty. Mood swings are usually short in duration. However, if an adolescent develops signs of depression, it is important to seek support and help from trusted adults.

How to cope with feeling different  Positive self talk  Talking to your friends or family about your feelings and concerns can help.  See your primary health care provider for regular checkups, so you can feel your best and have someone knowledgeable to go to with your questions.  Some ideas: Play a sport. Dance. Join the chorus if you can sing. You get the idea: Do things that are fun, healthy, and help you feel good.  Remember, you're not an oddball for developing early. So don't let anyone make you feel like an outcast. You're a pioneer -- the first one to take that big step toward adulthood. And you won't be alone for long. If your friends give you a hard time, remind them that puberty is just around the corner for them, too.  Don't be ashamed. It's perfectly natural what's happening to you.