The document discusses the physical changes that occur during puberty for both boys and girls. It explains that puberty is triggered by hormonal changes which cause growth and development of secondary sex characteristics. For girls, this includes breast development, hip growth, and the start of the menstrual cycle. For boys, changes include broadening of the shoulders, deepening of the voice, growth of body and facial hair, and the start of sperm production. The document provides detailed information about the female and male reproductive systems and their functions during puberty and adolescence.

1. Growth and
Development
PHYSICAL CHANGES
AT PUBERTY

2. Physical Changes at Puberty
The word adolescence is from the
Latin word adolescere, meaning “to
grow up.” This is the period of growth
after childhood and before adulthood.
As you go through adolescence, you
experience many changes on your
body. These physical changes of
adolescence occur at a time called
puberty.

3. Physical Changes at Puberty
During the puberty, hormones
are released in very small amounts
into the bloodstream by the
pituitary gland, a pea-shaped gland
that sits just below the brain. One
of the hormones that is activated
and circulated through the blood is
the growth hormone.

4. Physical Changes at Puberty
Adolescents also undergo changes in
their reproductive or sex organs as hormones
such as estrogen for WOMEN and androgen
for MEN are released. These hormones
mainly affect the growth and development of
reproductive organs, reproductive cycles, and
sexual behavior of both girls and boys. They
also influence secondary sex characteristics
such as Body Hair Distribution, Body Contour
and Voice Pitch.

5. The table presents the comparison of the puberty
changes between girls and boys.
Changes in Boys Changes in Girls
1.) Height increases very quickly
and later than girls
1.) Height increases very quickly
and earlier than boys.
2.) Shoulders become broader 2.) Hips grow broader.
3.) Face alters. Changes in faces
are more pronounced than girls.
3.) Face alters. Changes in faces
are less distinctive than boys.
4.) Voice becomes lower and
deeper.
4.) Voice becomes higher.
5.) Body hair and facial hair start
to grow.
5.) Body hair starts to grow.
6.) Testes produce sperm cells. 6.) Ovaries produce egg cells.
7.) Nocturnal emission occurs. 7.) Menstruation occurs

6. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

7. Physical Changes at Puberty
Menstruation is the monthly discharge
or flow of blood from the uterus. It is a
normal function of girls’ reproductive
system. At birth, a girl already has
thousands of undeveloped egg cells in her
ovaries. Ovaries, which are part of the
female reproductive system, produce the
egg cells. They are also responsible for the
production of the female hormone estrogen
that is responsible for the bodily changes in
girls.

8. Physical Changes at Puberty
The egg cells mature at puberty. The two
ovaries alternate in releasing a mature egg
cell. Each month, one egg ripens or matures
in one ovary. This mature egg leaves the
ovary and enters the fallopian tube. Fallopian
tube is the passageway of the egg cells
leading to the uterus, also known as the
womb. A mucous membrane develops in the
uterus to receive the mature egg cell in case
of pregnancy.

9. Physical Changes at Puberty
The mucous membrane or the
endometrium is where the egg is implanted in
the uterus when it is fertilized by a sperm cell
from a male. It is also where a fetus or unborn
baby stays, gets nourishment and protection as
it grows. If no sperm cell fertilizes the egg, the
egg dies. The mucous membrane in the uterus
breaks and comes out along the dead egg, as a
blood flow. This menstrual flow stops afterward
and the cycle begins again. The cycle takes
about 28 days in most cases.

10. MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

11. Physical Changes at Puberty
Boys’ reproductive system is
mainly for the production and
transport of sperm cells to fertilize
mature egg cells. Sperm cells mature
only at puberty. The changes in the
body of a boy are triggered by the
hormone testosterone produced by
the sex gland testes.

12. Physical Changes at Puberty
One of the pubertal changes that boys
undergo includes experiencing a nocturnal
emission or a “wet dream”. Nocturnal means
“occurring in the night”; while emission means
“discharge”. A wet dream is discharged from the
penis during sleep. This emission comes out
naturally. This is a natural occurrence among
boys. It is a sign that your body is developing
and maturing. The semen that your body
produces has to come out to give space to new
ones that your body continually produces.

13. Myths and Misconceptions About
Premenstrual Syndrome and Menstruation
There are strange stories and
beliefs about menstruation. These
stories and beliefs have been passed
on from one generation to another.
Some of these stories are still heard
today. The following are some of the
myths and misconceptions about
menstruation.

14. Myths and Misconceptions About
Premenstrual Syndrome and Menstruation
1) You become fat before your
menstrual period.
2) Vigorous exercise is prohibited during
one’s period.
3) Menstrual blood is dirty blood.
4) Washing your face with menstrual
blood will result in a clear, smooth
complexion and keep pimples at bay.

15. Myths and Misconceptions About
Premenstrual Syndrome and Menstruation
5) Sit or jump from the third step of the
stairs to shorten your period to three
days.
6) Bathing or washing your hair during
menstrual period will make you crazy.
Bathing will also shorten the menstrual
period.
7) Eating a certain food, especially sour
fruits like green mangoes, is bad for a
menstruating woman.

16. Health for Life
Knowing and
understanding your growth
process and development is
important to better
understand the changes in
yourself as well as in others.