Q

Jenny (age 14)

A

It is not at a particular age, but at a developmental stage when your pubic hair begins to show. For girls it starts about the same time your breasts begin to form. A Doctor Tanner called this "Stage 2." The early pubic hairs are fine, soft, and not very thick. As you continue to develop they will become more numerous, darker, and take on a coarser feel. See the Tanner Stage Calculator for Girls to determine approximately what stage you have reached in your development.

Q

(age 12)

A

While it doesn't happen with boys, some girls do go through two shorter growth spurts instead of one long one. I cannot say if this will happen to you or not. To know absolutely for sure, a doctor can take an x-ray of your wrist to see if you growth plates (the areas at the end of your bones where the bones grow) are still open or not. Otherwise, you can use the Tanner Stage Calculator for Girls to determine approximately what stage you have reached in your development. If you are in stage four, then you will not likely grow much more than an inch or so. If you are already in stage five, then your growth is finished.

A

It generally takes about five years for a girl's body to change from a child to an adult. If you start early, you are likely to end early. The average time for a girl to start is at age 10 and to finish at age 15. So if you started at age 8, then you would expect to be completely done around age 13.

Diseases can trigger puberty earlier than normal, or delay puberty. That is often why doctors want to see girls who show signs of puberty before the age of eight. Diabetes is known to trigger earlier than normal puberty. Since I don't know when you started puberty, I can't comment whether this is what happened to you or not.

The increased hormones present in adolescence is known to make people who are borderline diabetics worse because the same hormones that regulate growth also interfere with insulin. Children who know they have diabetes have to be extra careful after puberty.

Good nutrition and good health allows your body to take full advantage of its potential, but it won't allow you to grow beyond the potential that exists in your genes. While the growth plates are open, there are some VERY expensive treatments that can encourage extra growth, but because of the expense and the added risks, doctors usually reserve these for children who are very small. Once your growth plates begin to shutdown, which is what happens in stage four, nothing can be done to open them back up.

A

Puberty is a point in time when you begin the changes from a child's body to an adult's body. Adolescence is that period of time when the changes take place. Officially puberty is marked when your hormones rise to start the chain of changes in reaction to those hormones. Generally this happens about one year prior to the first outward signs of changes. That is why you will see books talk about changes in your breasts and body hair as being secondary sexual characteristics. The primary one is the hormones in your blood, which is not visible.

Most people don't have their hormones measured, so it common to say that puberty took place when the first outward sign of it showed up. Eight is considered to be at the earliest edge of a normal range.

People tend to measure things relative to other things. This is what causes optical illusions. In the image on the right, the two center dots are the same size, but because the left dot is surrounded by large dots it looks smaller than the one surrounded by small dots.

Now, as you grow, you do consume a large number of calories and that causes your body to slim down a bit, but I believe what your sister is referring to is that you waist appears to be smaller because your chest and hips are now larger. If you use a measuring tape, you probably will find that your waist has remained about that same size. It is just that everything around it has gotten bigger.

Q

Aishwarya (age 12)

Hello, I am 12 and a half years old. I recently got my periods. My sister says that after you get periods you stop growing in height. I am just 5'2, my mom is 5'0 and my dad is 5'8. All my cousins on the paternal side are about 6 foot. Please can you try and predict my height?

I have fine pubic hair as well and my breasts have just started to grow. It seems that the left one is slightly smaller than the right one. Is that normal? I took the Tanner stage test and the result was 2.5. Please help me with my curiousity!

A

For height prediction, see: How Tall Will I Be?

Q

Aishwarya (age 12)

Thanks a lot. All that did make me feel better. I have one small query, I just took the How Tall Will I Be? test and the result was 5'5. Are the results 100% accurate? Can any particular exercise help increase my height? Does cycling, skipping, or basketball help increase your height? My mum says that if you sleep early then your growth hormones will be activated and you will grow taller; however, I don't believe it. Is it true? I would like to at least reach 5'6 so what will help increase my height?

A

One of the hard things about being mature is realizing that you are not in control of everything in your life. You can do the best that you can, but nothing guarantees that you must succeed. "I returned and saw under the sun that - the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all" (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Yes, a good runner tends to win races -- but not always. A smart person tends to be wealthier -- but not always. The fact is that there are many things completely out of our control.

The one thing we have control over is how we react to what happens to us. "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13). Paul is saying that knowing Jesus is behind him, he would hold up under whatever life dished out at him. He might not be able to control what happens to him, but he learned that he could be content through the good and the bad.

"And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?" (Luke 12:25-26). Your height is one of those things which you have no control over. Your potential height was fixed when your father's sperm met your mother's egg. If you ate poorly or were sick, you might not reach your potential height, but if you are healthy and eating well, you won't grow beyond what your genetic code has set you up to become. You might daydream of being a blond, but if you genes give you brown hair, then that is what you are. You can dye it to any shade you want, but when it grows, it will still be your own color. You can dream of being a certain height, but the reality is that you will be what you are intended to be.

Eat healthy and exercise because it is good for you and will help you enjoy life better. I hate to disagree with anyone's mother, but in this case she thought she found a convenient way of getting you to go to bed at a reasonable hour.

There are two tests in the How Tall Will I Be? test. The first one is accurate to within five inches, which quite a spread. Even then, it is only accurate about 94% of the time. The second one is a bit more accurate (to within 1.5 inches), but it was based on American data. It might not be as accurate among other nationalities. It too is not 100% accurate, just accurate for most people.

Q

Hannah (age 15)

Lately I have been very concerned that my breasts have stopped growing. I have just turned 15 and got my period just before I turned 13. I don't even fill an A cup. It is as if my breasts are still in Tanner stage 3, as they are not round but cone shaped, yet they have looked the same since I got my period I think. I seem to have all the other signs of complete physical maturity, although my period does come irregularly -- sometimes but not often.  Do you think they still have some growing to do? My mum said she grew into a B, but couldn't remember when she fully developed.

I would really appreciate an answer. I am getting very stressed about it. Also, could a doctor tell me if they are now fully developed by examining them?

Thank you for your help.

A

One of the things the Lord warned us about is worrying about things over which we have no control. "He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest?" (Luke 12:22-26).

Why don't you use the Tanner Stage Calculator for Girls to see what stage you are in. It goes through a number of factors to determine how far along you are in development. If the estimate is not enough to calm your worries, you can ask your doctor to xray your hand and give you an estimate based on the growth plates in your hand. This method is the most accurate for determining if you are still growing or not.

Whatever the answer, the best thing is to be happy to be who you are right now and not base your happiness on what you wish you could be.

Q

Nansanet

In the Tanner Stage Calculator what is the number the Estimated Tanner Stage calulation generates? For instance if the calculator says 3.8 what does it mean?

A

The calculator is a small program that I wrote which takes all the secondary characteristics that are used to estimate Dr. Tanner's stages of development. I weighted the responses. Those which are easiest to see and those which are most important in establishing a particular stage were given the highest weight. A 3.8 would mean that you are in stage three of development and will soon be moving into stage four. Stage 1 is for childhood. Stage 5 is for full maturity or adulthood. The end of stage 1 is when the first signs of puberty are seen. Stage 3 is generally when your growth spurt takes place.

Q

Elle

I have a few questions. On the Tanner Stage Calculator it says I am at 2.5. When will I be in stage 3? And how long does each stage last? Also, I am a late bloomer. I began puberty at either 12 and a half or 13. My mother started puberty at 13 or 14. Is that why I am a late bloomer? Or is it because I am underweight for my age?

Thank You

A

The length of each stage varies by individual, but generally they last about a year for girls. The start of puberty is primarily inherited, but if a person is not eating properly, it can delay the start further. The reason you appear to be underweight at the moment is because you are developmentally behind other girls who are the same age as you. Since many of them already had their growth spurt, you have been left behind until you have your own growth spurt.

Q

Sadia (age 15)

Hello. I am 15 years old and I started my periods when I was about 12 and they are very regular. I am only 4ft 7 and I am really worried that I will stay short for the rest of my life. I have used your Tanner Stage Calculator and it said I was in stage 3.9. I haven't had a growth spurt yet. Could you please tell me if I will grow any more and if there's anything I can do to help me grow faster.

A

A growth spurt is when the speed at which you grow doubles (or more) from your typical rate of growth when you were a child. Thus, if you did not grow very fast as a child, you might not think a growth spurt was that noticeable when you are a teenager.

I cannot tell you if you will grow more or not. The calculator estimates the stage you are in based on various external characteristics. During stage 4, the typical teenage girl will grow another one to two inches. There is another method of estimating your stage of grow that done by examining your bone age. A doctor x-rays your hand and then compares the shapes of the bones to a standard chart to estimate your progress. It is a more precise estimate.

As hard as it is at the moment, the best thing you can do is be determined to be happy whatever size you turn out to be. Size doesn't determine happiness. Your attitude alone determines your happiness. "For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13).

Q

Arielle (age 18)

All the women on both my Mom and Dad's side of the family has C or larger cup breasts. I am now 18 and I am still a 32 A, almost a B. The areola part of my breast is rather large, though. Does that mean I am still going to grow more? By the way, I got my period when I was 15 years old, so am I still going to grow more? I really want to know. I'm sick of waiting!

A

And why aren't you happy with who you are instead of imagining that if some dimension of your body was different then you could be happy?

The likelihood that you will grow more is very slim, but only a doctor could tell you for certain. If you have reached stage 5 in development, then you will not be growing any more. You can check by taking the quiz at Tanner Stage Calculator for Girls. Your breast size is based on the genes you inherit. Just as two dark-headed people can have a red-headed child, you can inherit a combination of genes from your parents that leaves you slimmer than your mother or grandmother.

When you start having children, your breast size will increase a bit, but that is about the only change that will remain. Learn to be thankful for what the Lord has given you instead of demanding more.

Q

Lina

I am 14 years old, female, and my left breast is larger than the other, including the nipple and the area around the nipple. Is it normal? Please tell me. I am really worried. And is it ok to have acne all over my body at my age? Is there any way to get rid of them?

A

Development does not always happen in a perfectly symmetrical fashion. It is not unusual for one side to get ahead of the other side for a short period of time. It will soon balance out as the other side catches up.

Because you are growing rapidly, your skin is producing more oils than is typically needed. The excess oils can clog up pores, not just on the face but anywhere on the body. This too will fade as you growth slows and then stops. In the meantime, bathe daily and wash your skin well. There are products sold for treating acne on the body. I can't comment on how well they may or may not work for your skin type. However, avoid those with benzoyl peroxide as this chemical bleaches clothing that comes in contact with it.