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Puberty

Puberty is the time of life when people develop physically and sexually so that they can have children. It is the time when male and female sex characteristics appear and changes in the sexual organs occur.

Puberty is the entire process of changes affecting the body and its hormones that accompany sexual maturation. In general, it starts at age 10 in girls and at age 11 in boys.

Author Amy Fackler, MA
Author Lila Havens
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Michele Cronen
Associate Editor Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Michael J. Sexton, MD
- Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Louis Pellegrino, MD
- Developmental Pediatrics
Last Updated March 22, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: March 22, 2006
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.