Learn about the Tanner Stages of puberty and how to support your tween or teen.
Puberty is a time when your young person’s body changes as it prepares for sexual maturity. These changes generally start when your child is around 8-10 years old. Though puberty usually lasts 5-7 years, everyone develops at their own pace, so don’t be concerned if your child doesn’t enter puberty at the exact same time as their friends.
Learn more about the stages of puberty, called the Tanner Stages of puberty or Sexual Maturity Rating, and how to support your tween or teen as they grow up.
Tanner Stage 1: Brain Work
Somewhere between the ages of 8 to 10, your young person will begin the physiological changes of puberty. You may not see the physical changes just yet, but hormones will be released and their body will start to “bloom.”
During the first stage of puberty, the hypothalamus in the brain sends signals to the rest of the body that it’s time to start developing into an adult body. These signals are hormones called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the luteinizing hormone (LH), and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and travel through your bloodstream. They are the main ones responsible for helping your young person grow from their current body size into their adult-size body.
Various parts of the body are stimulated to grow and change, including:
- External reproductive organs
- Breast tissue
- Skin
- Muscles
- Bones
- Hair
- Brain
What to Do During Early or Delayed Puberty
If you believe your young person is going through bodily changes early (precocious puberty), or seems delayed (delayed puberty), make an appointment with your medical professional. This person can help ease your mind and provide support if either of these situations are occurring.
Tanner Stage 2: Noticeable Body Changes Begin
Tanner Stage 2 is when many people start to notice bodily changes. It occurs between 9 and 11, and includes changes like:
- Pubic hair starts to grow lightly on the outer lips of the vulva and/or at the base of the penis.
- Armpit hair may start to develop in some preteens.
- Body odor may become more apparent. This is due to hormones that increase sweat. When combined with bacteria in the area, it can lead to more smells.
- Reproductive parts begin to mature and get larger. For most assigned females at birth, this includes the uterus and vagina. For most assigned males at birth, this includes the testicles and the scrotum, the sac holding the testicles.
- For many assigned females at birth, the breasts, called buds, begin to develop under the nipples. These buds may appear like a bump or puffy area under or around the nipples. As more time passes, the areola, the area around the nipples, also gets larger. Learn more about breast and nipple development in our Body and Skincare Hub.
Tanner Stage 3: More Obvious Body Changes Occur in Preteens
Usually, at Tanner Stage 3, preteens or teens see a change in their body size and hair growth. Changes include:
- An increase in height. Some preteens or teens think they grew taller overnight, yet it actually takes some time. They may notice growth spurts of a few inches or more over the course of a year.
- An increase in body hair in new places of the body or darker hair in other places.
- Body shapes change, including more muscle development.
- For many females assigned at birth:
- The continued growth and expansion of the breast buds.
- Growth of noticeable armpit hair.
- Appearance of acne due to sebaceous glands under the skin becoming more active and clogging pores.
- Growth of hips and thighs.
- For many males assigned at birth:
- The broadening of the shoulders.
- Occurance of wet dreams (nocturnal emissions- sperm ejaculation during sleep) for some.
- Their voice may start to “crack” due to the vocal cords growing.
- Some breast tissue may develop; this usually disappears as time passes.
These changes may seem like a lot, yet they are spread out over a period of time and occur typically during the ages of 12 – 13.
Tanner Stage 4: More Obvious Body Changes Occur in Teenagers
During Tanner Stage 4, young people will start to see a lot of physical changes. And, at this stage, we might not consider the term “young person” as the most appropriate anymore. Instead, the terms “teen” or “teenager” may work better, because they usually go through these physical changes around 13 or 14. During this stage, many teenagers notice:
- Thicker pubic hair can grow more curly and coarse.
- For many females assigned at birth:
- Their first period (menarche) occurs between 12 and 14, although some get it much earlier. Clear or white vaginal discharge may appear up to 6 months prior to getting the first period. Learn more about the signs your young person is about to start their period.
- Breasts get fuller
- For many males assigned at birth:
- Their penis, scrotum, and testicles get bigger and the scrotum sac becomes darker in color.
- Their voice starts to deepen.
- Appearance of acne due to sebaceous glands under the skin becoming more active and pores in the skin getting clogged, leading to acne.
- Noticeable armpit hair growth.
Also, because so many physical changes have occurred and continue to occur, your teen may become increasingly aware of their body image as well as other’s bodies.
Tanner Stage 5: Teenagers Physically Grow More Adult-Like
This last stage of the Tanner Stages usually starts around 15. During this stage, your teen’s body will grow larger and more adult-like and adult-size. The following occurs:
- Growth spurts will start to slow down.
- Pubic hair will be fully grown and spread into the inner thigh area.
- Genitals and reproductive organs will be fully developed and adult size.
- For many females assigned at birth:
- Breast size and body shape including hip and buttocks areas are still being formed. Both their breasts and body shape can and will continue to change as a person ages due to hormones and habits.
- Periods becoming regular, and occurring on a monthly schedule.
- For many males assigned at birth
- Facial hair starts growing
- Penis, testicles, and scrotum reach their full size.
Parenting can leave you feeling overwhelmed and alone, but at BLOOM you have a community ready to help. Access Live and On-Demand Workshops featuring our trusted experts. Get answers to your pressing questions through our Ask the Expert Platform. Find strength by joining our Community Group and connecting with fellow parents and caregivers. If you need more tailored support, take advantage of our 1-on-1 Parent Coaching Sessions. Raising tweens and teens is hard, but with BLOOM by your side, you don’t have to do it alone.
