The duration of female puberty can vary quite a bit from girl to girl. On average, puberty lasts around 4 years for most girls. However, it’s normal for puberty to take anywhere between 2 to 6 years to complete. Here’s a quick overview of the typical timeline:
The first signs of puberty
For most girls, the first sign of puberty is breast development, which usually begins between the ages of 8 and 13. Breast budding occurs when a small, raised bump forms under one or both nipples. This indicates that estrogen levels are starting to rise in the body.
Other early changes
In addition to breast growth, other early changes of puberty include:
- Growth spurt
- Pubic and underarm hair growth
- Skin changes like acne
- Body odor
These signs of maturation typically happen about 1-2 years after breast budding first begins.
Menstruation begins
Menstruation (getting a period) is one of the later markers of female puberty. Most girls get their first period between the ages of 10 and 16, with 12 being the average age.
Some key facts about first periods:
- It’s normal for the first few cycles to be very light and irregular.
- The average cycle lasts 28 days, but can range from 21 to 45 days.
- It takes about 2-3 years after menstruation begins for cycles to regulate.
- Cramps, headaches, moodiness, and other PMS symptoms are common.
Later puberty changes
Even after a girl gets her period, other changes continue throughout puberty:
- Breast development: Takes 3-5 years to complete after breast budding starts.
- Growth spurt: Occurs early in puberty, but continues over several years. Girls typically grow 3-5 inches per year during the peak.
- Body fat increase: Girls gain weight and body fat as estrogen levels rise.
- Body hair growth: Underarm and pubic hair continues to spread and darken. Many girls also develop faint hair on their upper lip, arms, and legs.
- Skin changes: Oil production ramps up, leading to acne.
- Sweat and odor: Perspiration increases, requiring more frequent bathing.
These changes typically complete about 2-4 years after a girl gets her first period.
The end of puberty
Doctors consider puberty complete when a girl reaches physical and sexual maturity. Here are some average ages when this happens:
- Breast development complete: Age 15
- Growth spurt complete: Age 16
- Menstruation regulated: Age 16
- Reached adult height: Age 17
Keep in mind every girl develops at her own pace. It’s not unusual to complete puberty a little earlier or later than these averages.
Summary of the stages
Here’s a quick overview of the typical stages girls go through during puberty:
| Stage | Average age range | Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 8-13 years | Breast budding, growth spurt begins |
| Stage 2 | 10-14 years | More breast growth, pubic hair, body odor, acne |
| Stage 3 | 12-16 years | Menstruation begins, almost full adult breast size |
| Stage 4 | 13-17 years | Continued breast, pubic, and body hair growth. Menstruation regulates. |
| Stage 5 | 15-17+ years | Reached adult stature and breast size. Puberty completed. |
Factors that affect timing
As mentioned earlier, the age range for entering and completing puberty can vary significantly between different girls. Here are some things that can influence when puberty begins and how long the process takes:
- Genetics: Girls tend to start and finish puberty around the same ages as their mothers and sisters.
- Body fat: Girls with more body fat may enter puberty earlier.
- Physical health: Serious illnesses, malnutrition, extreme sports training, and other physical stresses can delay puberty.
- Mental health: Anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other mental health issues can disrupt normal hormone balance.
- Environmental factors: Chemicals, toxins or medications can interfere with normal hormone levels.
When to see a doctor
It’s a good idea to make an appointment with a pediatrician if:
- No breast development by age 13
- No menstruation by age 15
- Periods suddenly stop for months
- Development seems abnormally slow or fast
- Significant worry or concern about growth and maturity
A doctor can check for any underlying issues and ensure development is on track. Most of the time there’s nothing wrong, but it’s better to be safe!
The takeaway
The full process of puberty takes somewhere between 2-6 years for most girls. Breast and hip growth starts first, followed by the onset of menstruation about 2 years later. Even after getting their first period, it takes another 2-4 years for girls’ bodies to reach full reproductive maturity.
While the sequence of changes during puberty follows a predictable pattern, the age range can vary quite a bit. It’s also important to keep in mind that each girl develops at her own pace. With support from family, friends and doctors, this transition from girlhood into womanhood can be an exciting, empowering time!
