Puberty in boys and what parents need to know

The process of puberty in boys occurred during a long period, with the increase in hormone production accompanied by a series of physical changes.

Each person's puberty time is different. Below is an overview of the physical changes that typically occur in boys during puberty.

Testicular and scrotum enlarge

When puberty begins, the size of the testicles and scrotum is almost twice as large. As the testicles continue to grow, the skin of the scrotum becomes darker, enlarged, thinner, low and lumpy (as the hair follicles begin to grow). In most boys, one testicle (usually the left side) is lower than the other.

Pubic growth

Under the action of testosterone, the next change in puberty happens rapidly. The first hairs will begin to grow at the base of the penis. For both boys and girls, the pubic hair becomes darker, curly and thicker after it grows. Within a few years, pubic hair will cover the pubic area, groin, and in some cases it will spread down the thighs. A little thinner hair will also rise up toward the navel. About two years after pubic hair begins to appear, sparse patches will begin to grow on the face, legs, arms, armpits, and chest.

Change in body physique

Girls' physical strength is often similar to boys through mid-adolescence, when the differences between babies become more pronounced. Boys, when they are just beginning puberty, appear chubby and groggy (due to their relatively long arms and legs relative to their body).

As puberty progresses, the boy's body begins to skyrocket, peaking at the end of puberty. The proportions of the body change during this sharp development, due to the rapid development of the torso and legs. Boys continue to develop muscle for a longer time than girls, so by the end of their adolescence, boys' body composition is only 12% fat, less than half of the average. vase of a baby girl.

Penis development

Boys can be the same size of an adult's penis at age 13 or as late as 18. At first, the penis will grow in length, then to width. Teenage boys tend to spend more time observing their penis and can stealthily compare with other boys' penis.

Most boys do not know that sexual function regardless of the size of the penis or the size of a penis when it is soft does not necessarily correspond to its size when erect. Parents can alleviate this concern for their children by telling them ahead of time.

When you talk to your child about this, you can start something like: “You know, many kids my age are also worried about whether my little boy is too young? But in fact, it is not something to worry about. You might consider asking your doctor for advice to ask him or her to reinforce this when you see your baby. The doctor's confirmation that your little boy is perfectly fine may be more convincing than your parents' words.

The boys' concern about the penis did not stop there. They may notice that a few other boys in the gym have foreskin that they don't have, or vice versa, and may ask their parents why they have / don't have foreskin. You could explain that normal foreskin everyone has, but it can be cut off when the baby is born if the parents want it.

"What are those rough spots on your penis?"

About one-third of teenage boys have white and pink spots on their penis, which are blemish-like spots near the tip of the penis. Although they are harmless, the boys are concerned that it could be a sexually transmitted disease . So reassure your child about this.

Fertility

Men are said to be fertile after the first ejaculation, which occurs a year after the testicles start to enlarge. The testicles will then produce sperm, while the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and Cowper gland secrete fluid so that together with the sperm, the sperm forms semen. Each ejaculation, the amount of semen is produced about 1 teaspoon, containing 200 to 500 million sperm.

Dreaming and unexpected erections

Most boys have started to play with, rubbing their penis for fun a long time before they are able to have a real orgasm. Babies can masturbate themselves to ejaculate for the first time. But sometimes, this milestone of sexual maturity sometimes happens while the baby is sleeping. When they wake up, they will find their bedding and mattress wet, and may be wondering if they have pee wet.

A dream, also known as a "wet dream", does not have to be the result of a sexual dream in it.

What parents can do to help their child

√ Explain to your child that this phenomenon happens to all puberty boys around the world, and that it will end when they get older.

√ Emphasize that dreaming is not something that makes you feel ashamed.

√ Note that masturbation is normal and harmless, for both boys and girls, as long as they do it in a private, private place.

√ Erection is also unpredictable during puberty. It can happen for no apparent reason, even while giving a speech or giving a lesson in class. Tell your child that they cannot prevent this and it will appear less over time.

Change the voice

Just as soon as a baby's growth spurt begins, your baby's vocal cords and vocal cords will become larger. In a relatively long period of time, your child's voice will "break" while it becomes quiet. When the larynx reaches the size of an adult, the rupture stops. The girl's voice will also be lower, but the change will be less.

Chest growth

Most boys will experience pain and tenderness around the nipples early in puberty . About at least three-quarters of boys will actually have some breast growth, as a result of a biochemical reaction that converts testosterone into the female sex hormone, estrogen.

Normally, the breasts will grow stiffer and bulge about 2 cm in diameter around the nipple. Sometimes this condition becomes excessive, becoming the phenomenon of " big male breast ". Overweight boys may have a "male enlarged breast" (called fat enlargement), due to excess adipose tissue accumulating on the chest wall.

This development can cause problems for a child in the process of trying to be manly. If your child suddenly goes to the gym or refuses to strip naked, he or she may have a problem with one or both breasts (a more obvious sign: he wears a shirt when swimming).

Boys will be relieved to learn that male breast enlargement usually resolves on its own within 1 to 2 years. There are some rare cases when excess tissue does not shrink on its own after a few years or when the chest becomes too large to be accepted. At this point, you may need to bring your child to the doctor for surgery.

Male breast enlargement is diagnosed only by a pediatrician, especially if it occurs before puberty or in late adolescence, when the cause is more likely to be physical.

Several medical conditions can cause abnormal breast development, including:

Endocrine tumors

Disorders of the adrenal (congenital adrenal insufficiency)

Chromosomal disorder (Klinefelter's syndrome)

Liver failure

Rare genetic disorder

Breast growth can also be caused by the side effects of certain medications, including certain antidepressants, anxiety medications, anti-reflux medications, or from exogenous use or exposure to estrogens, or estrogen precursors, including soybeans in diet, vegetable estrogens in aromatherapy or personal care products, such as lavender oil or tea tree oil.

In addition, there are many sources of estrogen that can be obtained from another environment, such as in some types of packaging, plastic.

aFamilyToday Health hopes that the above information will help parents better understand the puberty process in boys so that they can behave appropriately and help their children during this period.