Puberty

Hormones & Puberty
*Hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland
-growth hormone "^ which causes growth spurt
-ovaries and testes release gonadotrophins (sex hormones)
*males: testosterone
*females: estrogen and progesterone
*hormones stimulate
-growth of primary sexual characteristics (genital)
-growth of secondary sexual characteristics (non-genital)
-precursors to adult sexuality
Sex Differences in Puberty
*Growth spurt begins
-10.5 years in girls
-12.5 years in boys
-girls taller than boys between ages 11-13 years
*full adult height
-17 years old in girls
-21 years old in boys
*Menarc…