Male puberty is a phase in a boy's life in which there are several changes in the body, such as hair growth in the intimate region, beginning of sperm production, change in voice and appearance of beard, due to hormonal changes, such as increased production of testosterone.
Male puberty begins at different times for each boy, however, it starts around 10 years old up to 16 years old, however, in some cases, it can start around 9 years old, being called precocious puberty. See what is precocious puberty, symptoms and possible causes.
The changes caused by puberty can cause anxiety, fear and stress in the boy and, therefore, it is important to explain to the child the changes that can happen, stating that it is a completely normal phase of growth.
Major changes
The main changes that occur in the body due to male puberty are:
1. Increased testicles
The enlargement of the testicles is usually the first sign of male puberty, since there is a release of gonadotropins that stimulate the production of other hormones that cause an increase in the size of the testicles, by about 2.5 cm.
In addition, the scrotum, which is the pouch that surrounds the testicles, has thinner skin and sometimes a more reddish color.
2. Increase in penis size
The increase in the size of the penis is another characteristic change of male puberty, being that, normally, the penis grows first in size and then in thickness, being able to become thicker with the course of puberty.
3. Hair growth
Due to the hormonal changes characteristic of male puberty, it is normal for the boy to show hair growth, not only on the face, but throughout the body, including the intimate region and armpits.
The appearance of pubic hair occurs around the age of 12, while the axillary and facial appear around the age of 13 or 14, being initially thin and smooth, increasing its quantity and becoming thicker with the course of puberty.
4. Appearance of acne
With the passage of male puberty, one of the changes that occurs is the appearance of acne, since hormonal changes cause an increase in the production of oil from the skin, which favors the appearance of pimples.
5. Change of voice
The change in the boy's voice also happens during puberty, as hormonal changes cause an increase in the size of the larynx, which is the place where the vocal cords are found, causing the voice to be altered.
The change in voice is more evident at the beginning of puberty, since the boy has a thin and hoarse voice, which gets thicker over time.
6. Enlargement of the shoulders and chest
The change in the size of some parts of the body is another of the typical changes of puberty in the boy, being possible to observe the widening of the shoulders and chest, as well as an increase in muscle mass.
This phase is called "pubertal spurt", occurs around the age of 14, and is marked by the development of bones and muscles, causing the boy to grow.
7. The first ejaculation appears
After the start of sperm production, which happens due to the increase in the hormone testosterone, characteristic of male puberty, the first ejaculation occurs, around the age of 14 to 15 years.
The first ejaculation can happen during sleep, being known as nocturnal pollution, and it happens involuntarily. Find out what night pollution is and why it happens.
How to deal with male puberty
The onset of male puberty causes changes in the body that can be a cause for concern, fears or doubts, both in the boy and in the parents, and which must be spoken to reassure the person.
1. For young people
It is normal for negative feelings such as anguish, anxiety or fear to appear during puberty, especially as the body undergoes several changes in a short time. However, it is important to remember that puberty is a completely normal phase and that it happens with all boys.
Whenever fears or doubts arise, it is important to talk to someone you trust, such as parents, to understand what is going on.
2. For parents
The characteristic changes of the child's puberty can be a reason for doubts and stress for parents, because they do not know how to deal with them, causing feelings of anguish and anxiety. In addition to changes in the body, changes in behavior and mood may arise, and the child may become more impulsive or stubborn.
However, it is important to understand if the change in mood or behavior happens due to the fact that the boy feels bad or ugly, it is important to talk to him, explaining that it is a temporary phase and making him feel protected and understood. .
If parents are having a hard time dealing with changes in puberty, it is advisable to seek help from a psychologist who can help reassure parents and allay their child's fears.
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Bibliography
- BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS. Early puberty. 2016. Available at:. Accessed on 17 Feb 2021
- PEDIATRIC SOCIETY OF SÃO PAULO. Monitoring of adolescent health by pediatricians. 2020. Available at:. Accessed on 17 Feb 2021
- ANTÔNIO FRANCO FERREIRA DA COSTA STATE SCHOOL - FUNDAMENTAL EDUCATION. SEXUALITY IN PUBERTY - PERIOD OF CHANGES IN THE BOYS BODY. 2016. Available at:. Accessed on 17 Feb 2021
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