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Aug 26, 2024 · What are the tanner stages of puberty? Tanner Staging, also known as Sexual Maturity Rating (SMR), is a classification system that healthcare providers use to document and track the development of secondary sex characteristics of children during puberty.
- Overview
- What are the Tanner stages of puberty?
- Other signs and symptoms of puberty
- Takeaway
Puberty typically begins between the ages of 9 and 11, which is when physical changes start to appear. The Tanner Stages are used to describe specific changes that children and teens may experience during puberty.
Puberty is a time of big changes for a teen that eventually ends with the full maturation of the body.
The different stages can be challenging and even confusing for teens, especially since the timeline of these changes is different for each person. Puberty may also be difficult for any teens questioning their gender identity.
Explaining the process to your child can help them know what to expect. And if you or your child have any concerns about how the process is unfolding, it may even be helpful to contact your pediatrician for additional guidance.
In this article, we take a look at the different stages of puberty, referred to as the “Tanner stages.” We’ll review how the body changes and what signs and symptoms to expect during each stage.
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth. Learn more.
Professor James M. Tanner, a child development expert, was the first to identify the visible stages of puberty.
Today, these stages are known as the Tanner stages or, more appropriately, sexual maturity ratings (SMRs). They serve as a general guide to physical development, although each person has a different puberty timetable.
Acne in puberty
Changing hormones cause oils to build up on the skin and clog pores, resulting in acne. Your child can develop acne on the face, back, or chest. Some people have worse acne than others. If you have a family history of acne or if your child has severe acne, your pediatrician may recommend prescription treatments. Otherwise, encourage your child to treat acne by washing daily with mild soap and using over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments as needed to control breakouts. A trip to the dermatologist may be warranted for more persistent acne.
Body odor in puberty
Larger sweat glands also develop during puberty. To prevent body odor, talk with your child about deodorant options and make sure they shower regularly, especially after intense physical activity. Learn more about hygiene habits for kids and teens.
Mood changes in puberty
Is your teen is moody or otherwise behaving differently? Hormones or your child’s feelings about physical changes, friends, or school may be the culprit. If you’re concerned, there are a number of mental health resources you can find online as well as local support groups, school psychologists, and community programs that may help. Be on the lookout for signs of depression or anxiety, like trouble sleeping, avoidance, or poor performance in school. Any extreme or troubling mood changes should be discussed with your child’s doctor. In some cases, therapy or medication may help.
Puberty doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a years-long process involving various physical and hormonal changes — all of which can be uncomfortable to go through.
Your child is likely having a lot of feelings right now, whether it’s about acne, body odor, menstrual cramps, or something else. Keep the line of communication open and be patient while discussing these feelings. Reassure your child that what’s going on is normal and an expected part of puberty.
- Ashley Marcin
Apr 11, 2023 · Healthcare providers use Tanner staging to assess the status and progression of physical changes during puberty, the time when a child's body transitions into adulthood. The Tanner stages consist of five milestones for the various physical markers of puberty.
- Cristina Mutchler
- Puberty: It's Not One Size Fits All. Puberty's changes start when the brain triggers the production of sex hormones. Although physical changes follow a predictable pattern, every child develops at their own pace.
- Budding Breasts Can Signal Puberty. Breast growth is usually the first sign of puberty girls will notice. First, small lumps form behind the nipples.
- Boys: Genital Changes. The first sign of puberty in boys is subtle -- an increase in testicle size. About a year later, the penis and scrotum start to grow.
- Hair Growth in Puberty. After breasts and testicles start growing, body hair will start to grow in and become thicker. For both boys and girls, new hair will start growing in the armpits and pubic area around the genitals.
Stages of Puberty. Puberty is the time of growth in which adolescents mature from a child into an adult. This includes cognitive, psychosocial, and biological maturation. The “Tanner stages" classify puberty into five stages, which break down the various physical and reproductive changes that occur in both boys and girls.
The Tanner scale (also known as the Tanner stages or sexual maturity rating (SMR)) is a scale of physical development as pre-pubescent children transition into adolescence, and then adulthood. The scale defines physical measurements of development based on external primary and secondary sex characteristics , such as the size of the breasts ...
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Dec 14, 2023 · Explore Tanner stages, a classification system for assessing pubertal development. Understand the different stages of sexual maturation and their significance in evaluating normal pubertal progression and potential deviations.
