Adolescence is one of the most complex periods of the life cycle. Not only because of the amount of physical and hormonal changes that go with it, but also because it is a stage of many questions at a psychological level. It is the step from infancy to adulthood, where the image of “I” finally emerges.
A critical adolescent, that judges their surroundings, body, friends and authority. All individuals become more complex during this stage. Sexual organs become functional (they produce hormones and are ready for reproduction), the difference between men and women is more noticeable and there is a key emotional and personal development. It is necessary to point out that adolescence is a transition stage that implies changes on both an anatomical and a psychological level. An important process takes place, puberty, exact period when the physical and sexual characteristics mature due to several hormonal changes.
Triggering action
All of the changes that characterize puberty are ruled by the information contained within our chromosomes. Due to an as of yet unknown mechanism, considerable modifications are unleashed at a certain age, which give way to puberty.
What is known for sure is the determining role of the hypothalamus and hypophysis in all of this growth stage. Both structures act in a coordinated fashion, activating hormonal work, the cause of most of the physical changes that are activated at this age. The hypothalamus is in charge of secreting a type of substance called releasing factors.
Their job is to act directly upon the hypophysis, making this gland manufacture and pour a real “hormonal cocktail” into the blood. One of its main components is somatropin (STH), which affects the rate of growth of almost all of the body’s tissues and the increase of body weight (growth of muscle mass). The effect of gonadotropins is also considerable, hormones which, as their name indicates, stimulate the gonads (ovaries and testicles) in order for them to perform their endocrine function, releasing female (progesterone and estrogen) and male (testosterone, androsterone and androstenedione) sexual hormones.
Androgens and estrogens are directly in charge of the growth and maturation of the male and female sexual organs, the development of the secondary sexual characteristics and the appearance of the libido (motor force of the sexual instinct).
Body size
The considerable increase of the body’s size that takes place during puberty is commonly dubbed “growth spurt”. Generally, both boys and girls increase their height by several centimeters, phenomenon that goes along with the new configuration taken up by the skeleton, muscle mass and fatty tissue. Each sex has different anatomical displays, which take definite shape during puberty. For example, women’s hips get wider and accumulate a greater amount of fat, while men’s back increases in size. The new re-distribution also affects body weight. Regarding height, girls’ goes up before boys’. But it is a process that lasts less, so they generally reach their adult height before boys, as they keep growing. At the age of eight, both sexes have a similar height; at age 14, girls are usually taller. At age 16, they have a definite height, while boys, which are already taller, continue to develop until they are 18 or even 20.
Physical changes
Even though we have already discussed the real hormonal machinery that is activated once puberty is reached, we mustn’t forget that many of these changes are expressed physically. In men, one of the first transformations occurs at a genital level. It is manifested, for example, in the slow growth of the testicles, the appearance of wrinkles on the scrotum and of an important amount of pubic hair. Almost two years after this first stage of changes, both the length and the diameter of the main external male reproductive organ, the penis, increases. In a second stage, axillary and facial hair increase. The latter gets thicker and turns into both a mustache and a beard. The voice becomes deeper and there is an important development at a muscular and skeletal level; their backs get wider and acquire the typical appearance of a male silhouette.In women, the first sign of the beginning of puberty is the development of the nipple, between the ages of eight and ten.Progressively, the areolas increase in size and the breasts develop completely. Pubic hair appears, which takes on an almost triangular shape; likewise, hair grows under the arms, the hips and thighs widen and an important amount of fat is deposited in the buttocks. Regarding the maturation of the female sexual organs, which increase in size internally, the clearest sign that this stage is complete is the arrival of the first menstruation or menarchy. With it, a woman’s fertile stage begins, being physiologically ready to conceive.
A stage of questions
Adolescence is defined as a difficult stage, in which individuals become more complex and independent. It is a period in which part of their personality is defined, therefore, options must be undertaken regarding sexuality, the future and the relationships with both the surroundings and the social groups around them. As it is a time of transition between children and adults, in which the concept of I and the possibilities of independent will are taken into account for the first time, it becomes a time of stress, anxiety and depression. Many times adolescents rebel against the norm and undermine authority figures, like parents or elders. Sexuality is a subject that acquires a great importance. Although the relationship between boys and girls is complex for a great part of puberty, because they seek friendship and generate stronger ties among people of the same sex, the sex drive increases at the end of this stage and the relationships between both sexes are rules by attraction and love. In addition, it is possible for sexual initiation to take place at this stage.
