puberty- this is a process of changes in the body of a teenager, as a result of which he becomes an adult and acquires the ability to procreate. Boys are in transition starts at 13-15 years old and ends at 17-19 years old. The hormonal changes that occur during this period determine not only the physical changes in the body of a young man, but also affect his social behavior. What should teenagers and their parents know about puberty?

During the transitional period, the boy becomes a man

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Puberty is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. At this time, a significant hormonal restructuring occurs, which causes a certain, genetically incorporated physical development. The term puberty is usually understood specifically as the sexual development of a young man, but does not affect the psychological changes that occur during this. Adolescence in fact lasts longer than puberty itself and includes not only physical, but also social maturation.

Physical development due to hormonal changes in the body

The transition period begins for all boys at different ages. On average, the first changes are noted at the age of 13-15 years. For comparison, girls mature earlier and are about 2-3 years ahead of boys. What happens during this period in the body of a young person?

1. Increases the production of GN-RG (gonadotropin-relysin hormone) in the hypothalamus.
2. Increases in the pituitary gland.
3. Stimulates the production of sex hormones in the testicles.

Thus, the hypothalamus is the first to come into play. He begins to actively synthesize GN-RH, which in turn leads to an increase in the production of hormones in the pituitary gland subordinate to it and further in the testicles. Increased production of hormones inevitably leads to the launch of certain processes and the onset of sexual development.

The processes that occur in the body of a young man under the influence of hormones:

• Connections are established between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and gonads.
• The sensitivity of tissues to the action of sex hormones increases.
• There is a gradual maturation of the receptor apparatus of the gonads.
• The mass of seminiferous tubules increases.
• Spermatozoa mature in Sertoli cells.

The production of hormones leads to sexual development

All these processes occurring in the body of a young man lead to the appearance of certain changes in the body and the formation of secondary sexual characteristics.

Stages of physical development in puberty

2-3 years before the onset of puberty, there is an increase in production. This process is called adrenarche. At this time, there is an intensified one, which subsequently leads to the launch of other physiological processes. The exact scheme of regulation of adrenarche has not yet been studied, however, the influence of certain enzymes on this process (cytochrome P450, etc.) is noted.

In adolescence, a change in the body of a young man occurs in several stages:

Enlargement of the external genitalia

The first sign of puberty in boys is testicular enlargement. In the prepubertal period, their sizes remain practically unchanged and are 2-3 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm wide. Starting from the age of 12-13, the testicles increase in size up to 4 cm³. After 5-6 years of puberty, the volume of the testicles should be about 20 cm³.

The penis begins to increase in size along with the growth of the testicles. The frequency of erections increases (an increase in the volume of the penis as a result of filling the cavernous bodies with blood against the background of sexual arousal). Arise. Normally, wet dreams occur every 2-3 days, but an increase or decrease in their frequency in adolescence should not be considered a pathology. In adult men, wet dreams may be the result of prolonged sexual abstinence.

By the age of 14-15, the boy has full-fledged spermatozoa. After the appearance of the first wet dreams, the young man is theoretically ready to become a father. Do not forget about contraception and protection against STIs during this period.

Due to ormonal changes, secondary sexual characteristics are formed

Hair Growth

First of all, pubic hair appears, and this happens shortly after the growth of the testicles begins. The first hairs appear at the base of the penis. As it grows thicker, the hair covers the entire pubic region, extends to the thighs, appears along the white line of the abdomen and reaches the navel. After 6-18 months, hair growth begins in the armpit, around the nipples, above the upper lip and on the chin. The sequence and intensity of hair growth is individual and is largely determined by heredity. Not all young men have hair growth on the chest or other parts of the body. Hair continues to grow throughout life and becomes significantly thicker over time.

Voice change

Breaking the voice occurs under the influence of androgens. Increased synthesis of hormones leads to rapid growth of the larynx, thickening and lengthening of the vocal cords. The young man's voice becomes low. For several years, the voice may be unstable. The final timbre of the voice is established by the age of 15-16 and usually precedes the appearance of facial hair.

Musculature change

In adolescence, boys grow rapidly. The length of the bones increases, there is an increase in muscle mass. The shoulder bones and jaws grow much faster than the rest of the body, which leads to the formation of a male figure. The maximum increase in muscle mass is observed a year after the onset of puberty. By the end of puberty, boys have twice as much muscle mass as girls of the same age.

Change in body odor

Inflammatory processes affect the skin of the face and other parts of the body

Under the influence of sex hormones, the composition of fatty acids that make up the structure of sweat changes. Sweating increases, there is a specific smell. At the same time, there is an increased production of secretion by the sebaceous glands, which leads to an increase in the fat content of the skin. The addition of bacteria provokes the development of acne - inflammatory changes on the skin of the face, back, and other parts of the body. After the completion of puberty, most young men have acne on their own. In some cases, specialist advice and treatment is required.

Psychological changes at puberty

Hormonal changes affect not only changes in the body. Significant changes are also taking place in the mental state of the young man. At the age of about 12 years, there is a significant acceleration in the growth rate of the brain, and there are also significant changes in the endocrine system. The complex relationship between the hypothalamus and other endocrine glands creates conditions for enhancing the excitability of certain subcortical structures, which leads to a restructuring of nervous activity in adolescents.

According to numerous studies in the transition period, boys have:

• Decreased concentration and memory at the beginning of adolescence and some improvement towards the end of puberty.
• Some decrease in mental performance at the age of 14-16 years.
• Violation of the processes of inhibition and increased excitability of the central nervous system.

In the transitional period, a real hormonal storm is raging in the body of a teenager. Due to the rapid growth of the brain, its key structures do not always have time to adequately supply blood, which also affects the mental activity of the young man and determines some aspects of his behavior. There is nothing surprising in the fact that the character of a young man is changing. The severity of the changes can be different, but in most cases the following points are noted:

As a result of the restructuring of the body, the character of the boy changes

• Self-doubt, shyness, low self-esteem (often offset by excessive aggression).
• Closure, prone to depression.
• Nervousness, excessive anxiety.
• Increased aggressiveness, including in relation to elders.
• emotional lability. Mood swings and impulsivity are common in boys during puberty.
• Conflict, confrontation with the outside world.
• The appearance of sexual desire, interest in the opposite sex.

Of particular importance for boys are issues of personal relationships. Classmates from incomprehensible creatures from another planet suddenly turn into beautiful girls. There is an understandable interest in this area of ​​life. The first sexual experience also often occurs at this age. Is it any wonder that the behavior of a young man is constantly changing and almost never meets the expectations of his parents?

Factors affecting puberty

It is impossible to predict in advance when a boy's puberty will begin, and how long it will last. The following factors influence the course of puberty:

Precocious puberty is said to occur when secondary sexual characteristics appear in boys under the age of 9 years. The lag in sexual development is noted if no changes occur at the age of 16 years and older. In any of these situations, you should consult a doctor and find the cause of such deviations.

Tips for parents: how to survive adolescence

Puberty is a difficult time not only for the teenager himself, but also for the people around him. A clumsy, mischievous and sometimes aggressive boy is difficult to love in the same way as a touching, fat-cheeked baby. The boy no longer lies still in diapers, no longer hangs with the designer, no longer impresses his parents with the ability to put words into sentences. He is gloomy and gloomy, dissatisfied with life and himself, and all the time provokes conflicts. Not surprisingly, teenagers quite often have problems and misunderstandings with their parents, and these difficulties cannot be avoided even in the most loving family.

It is important for the parents of a teenage boy to remember: a young man needs care and love no less than a baby, only it needs to be expressed in a slightly different form. Excessive guardianship of a young person will only harm and become another annoying factor. Adults need to be there and make it clear with all their behavior that the child can count on them, no matter what happens. And at the same time, it is necessary to give the teenager the opportunity to express himself, fulfill himself, find his place in life and take a certain position among his peers. Finding a balance between freedom and care is what is important for parents whose son has entered the difficult time of puberty.

In adolescence, it is important for parents to find a balance between freedom and care.

A few tips:

1. Direct the energy of the young man in a useful direction. Offer him an activity in which he will feel needed. It can be a part-time job in your spare time, helping in the family business, playing sports or some kind of hobby. It is important that the young person has the opportunity to choose, because under duress is unlikely to be effective.
2. Give the young man some personal space. Ideally, this should be a separate room where an adult will not break in without warning. If this is not possible, you should at least fence off your own corner in the common room for the teenager. Do not encroach on his personal belongings or eavesdrop on conversations with friends. Total control will not contribute to a good relationship and will only turn the teenager against you.
3. Avoid unnecessary criticism. Remember that teenagers take everything very seriously, especially when it comes to appearance or relationships with girls. Express your dissatisfaction in the correct form and do not forget to praise your young man.
4. Take an interest in his life. Gently ask how his school is doing. Be aware of what he is interested in, what questions he is interested in. Do not get into your personal life, but also be completely aloof. This will help you not only become a trusted person for a teenager, but also allow you to replace negative changes in time if the young man contacts bad company or gets into trouble.
5. Recognize it as a person. Let the young man realize his inclinations and choose his life path on his own. Remember that he is not an extension of you, but an independent person, and has the right to a personal opinion. Let him make his mistakes and draw his own conclusions from what happened where it does not pose a serious danger to health and life.

Remember that puberty is not eternal. Sooner or later, a clumsy young man will become an adult man, and you will only have to remember this difficult, but fascinating time in its own way.

FAQ, or frequently asked questions

At what age is it time to worry that signs of physical changes have not begun?

It is worth talking about late sexual development if by the age of 15-16 the young man has not developed a single secondary sexual characteristic (growth of the genital organs, pubic hair, in the armpits, on the face, voice change). In this situation, you should contact an andrologist.

At what age do boys finish growing?

The maximum growth is observed in young men aged 14-16 years. At this time, the young man almost reaches the final mark of his growth, but the process does not end there. Slow increases are observed up to 20-22 years (according to some sources, up to 25 years) - until the growth zones are completely closed.

Is it true that acne "will go away on its own" as soon as the young man begins to live sexually?

This conventional wisdom has no scientific basis. In most adolescents, acne disappears by the end of puberty, that is, by the age of 17-19, and the intensity of sexual activity does not affect this process in any way.

Are dietary changes necessary after puberty?

The diet of a teenager should be balanced in terms of essential elements and vitamins. The diet of a teenager should be red meat, fresh vegetables and fruits in season. Usually, during the transitional period, boys have an appetite, so there are no significant problems with this. It is only important to limit the proportion of fast food and fast carbohydrates so as not to provoke weight problems and metabolic disorders.

When will this nightmare end?

Everything passes, and this too shall pass. By the age of 17-19, the hormonal storm subsides, and the young man enters a new stage in his life. By this age, secondary sexual characteristics reach their maximum development. Skin condition improves, acne disappears. The psycho-emotional state also normalizes at the end of the transitional age.

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