Puberty is a time of dramatic physical changes for both boys and girls as their bodies mature into adult form. One of the key signs that puberty has begun is the development of pubic hair. So what is the connection between pubic hair growth and the onset of puberty?
What is puberty?
Puberty refers to the process of physical changes the body goes through as it develops from child to adult. During this time, the body grows faster and matures sexually and reproductively. Puberty begins earlier for girls than boys. The typical age range is:
- Girls: Ages 8 to 13
- Boys: Ages 9 to 14
However, puberty can begin earlier or later than these age ranges depending on the individual. The timing is largely influenced by genetics.
Signs of puberty in girls
Some of the first signs girls will notice as they enter puberty include:
- Breast development – breast buds form, nipples and areolas widen
- Growth spurt
- Pubic and underarm hair growth
- Skin changes – pimples may develop due to increased oil production
- Vaginal discharge
Typically, breast development is one of the first signs of puberty in girls, and pubic hair growth occurs shortly afterwards. However, the order and exact timing of these changes varies between individuals.
Signs of puberty in boys
Early signs boys may notice as they begin puberty include:
- Growth of the testicles and penis
- Growth spurt
- Pubic, underarm, chest, and facial hair growth
- Deepening of the voice
- Skin changes – pimples due to increased oil production
For boys, the first indication of puberty is often enlargement of the testicles. Pubic hair usually appears shortly after this change.
Connection between pubic hair and puberty
So what causes pubic hair growth during puberty? In both boys and girls, pubic hair development is triggered by rising levels of sex hormones:
- Estrogen – the main female sex hormone
- Testosterone – the main male sex hormone
These hormones increase dramatically during puberty. They stimulate pubic hair follicles that were dormant during childhood to start producing hair. The rising hormone levels also spur other physical changes associated with puberty.
Pubic hair often appears around the same time as other puberty changes. But pubic hair development by itself does not necessarily mean puberty is underway. Some individuals may develop some pubic or underarm hair before other changes happen. This is known as adrenarche and does not signify true puberty onset.
Stages of pubic hair development
Pubic hair growth tends to progress in stages as hormonal levels rise further. Doctors often use the Tanner stages to track pubic hair development:
| Stage | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No pubic hair | No pubic hair |
| 2 | Sparse growth of long, slightly pigmented hair, straight or curled, at the base of the labia | Sparse growth of long, slightly pigmented hair, straight or curled, at the base of the penis |
| 3 | Darker, courser, and more curled hair that spreads sparsely over the junction of the pubes | Darker, courser, and more curled hair that spreads sparsely over the junction of the pubes |
| 4 | Hair is adult-like but the area covered is still smaller than in most adults | Hair is adult-like but the area covered is still smaller than in most adults |
| 5 | Hair extends to inner thighs and upward towards umbilicus | Hair extends to inner thighs and upward towards umbilicus |
Typically pubic hair progresses from no hair pre-puberty (stage 1) to full adult growth patterns (stage 5) over a period of several years. The whole puberty process takes around 4-5 years total for most boys and girls.
Other body hair changes
In addition to the pubic region, rising sex hormones during puberty stimulate hair growth in other areas:
- Underarms – Both boys and girls begin to grow darker, coarser underarm hair.
- Facial hair – Boys begin developing facial hair, including sideburns, a mustache, and a beard.
- Chest and limbs – Boys experience increased hair on arms, legs, chest, back, shoulders and hands.
Girls may also notice slightly more hair growth on arms and legs during puberty, though not to the same extent as boys. The pattern of hair growth depends on an individual’s genetic makeup.
Other puberty changes in girls
As the estrogen level rises in girls, in addition to pubic/body hair growth, other changes of puberty include:
- Breast development – Breasts grow fuller and rounder, with the areolas and nipples enlarging as well.
- Growth spurt – Girls experience their peak growth velocity around age 12. Adult height is reached around age 14-15.
- Hips widen – The pelvis and hips widen to the more rounded, adult shape needed for childbearing.
- Skin changes – Skin becomes oilier and acne may develop.
- Vaginal discharge – More vaginal discharge is produced due to changes in the vaginal environment.
- Ovulation and menstruation – Towards the end of puberty, girls begin ovulating and menstruating.
Breast development stages
Doctors use the Tanner stages to track breast development:
| Stage | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 1 | No breast tissue or nipple elevation |
| 2 | Breast buds form, areolas widen |
| 3 | Breasts become more raised and rounded with more glandular tissue present. The areolas enlarge further but remain in contour with the surrounding breast. |
| 4 | The areolas and papilla form a secondary mound projecting from the contour of the surrounding breast. |
| 5 | Mature adult contour and size are reached. The papilla remains protruding from the contour of the breast. |
Other puberty changes in boys
As testosterone levels increase in boys going through puberty, changes beside pubic/body hair growth include:
- Genital growth – The penis and testes grow larger.
- Growth spurt – Boys hit peak growth around age 14. Adult height is reached around 16-17 years.
- Skin changes – Skin becomes oilier and acne may develop.
- Voice deepening – The larynx (voice box) grows causing the voice to deepen.
- Wet dreams – Ejaculation while sleeping may begin as sperm production ramps up.
- Muscle growth – Increased muscle mass results in broader shoulders and more defined muscles throughout the body.
Genital development stages
Doctors use the Tanner stages to track genital maturation:
| Stage | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prepubertal size and proportions |
| 2 | Slight enlargement of the testes and scrotum. The scrotum skin reddens and changes in texture. |
| 3 | Continued growth of the testes and scrotum. The penis begins to lengthen. |
| 4 | Increased size of testes and scrotum. Further growth of the penis with development of the glans. |
| 5 | Genitals reach adult size and proportions |
Variation in pubic hair development
The timing and progress of pubic hair growth can vary substantially between individuals of the same sex. Differences are considered normal and related to hormonal differences. For example:
- Some girls develop pubic hair before other signs of puberty like breast buds.
- Some boys develop armpit and facial hair before pubic hair.
- The amount and coarseness of pubic hair varies – some have denser hair growth than others.
If pubic hair develops abnormally early or late, a doctor should evaluate for any underlying conditions. But in general, differences in the sequence and pace of changes are common.
Caring for pubic hair
Proper hygiene is important when pubic hair develops:
- Wash regularly using gentle cleansers to avoid irritation or infection.
- Avoid heavily fragranced products which may cause sensitivity.
- Trim longer hairs if desired using scissors or an electric razor to prevent itchiness.
- Wear loose, breathable fabrics like cotton to keep the area dry.
Shaving pubic hair with a manual razor is not recommended due to the risk of cuts, inflammation, and ingrown hairs. Waxing should be done by a professional with experience performing bikini waxes on adolescents.
Psychological aspects
In addition to physical changes, puberty ushers in many psychological and emotional changes as well due to hormonal fluctuations. The brain also matures and restructures during the adolescent years. Some of the psychosocial effects of puberty include:
- Mood swings
- Self-consciousness about one’s body
- Withdrawing from parents/caregivers
- Desire for independence and privacy
- Interest in romantic relationships
- Questioning of personal identity
These changes can make adolescence an emotionally turbulent time. Good communication with caring adults can help teens navigate this transition in positive ways. Many effects are both normal and temporary during the years of puberty.
The role of puberty blockers
For a small percentage of adolescents, hormone blockers may be used to purposely delay puberty. These medications stop production and effects of sex hormones. They may be given when:
- Puberty starts abnormally early (precocious puberty)
- A teenager experiences gender dysphoria and identifies with the opposite biological sex
- A child has a condition that would be complicated by going through puberty (e.g. certain genetic disorders)
Blockers pause puberty so further decisions can be made about the best path forward medically and psychologically. Puberty will resume if blockers are stopped.
Conclusion
The development of pubic hair signals the awakening of the reproductive system during puberty. But pubic hair alone does not definitively mark the beginning of puberty. The process involves interconnected changes in numerous body systems over a period of several years. While the timing of puberty varies, pubic hair growth combined with growth spurts and sexual maturation indicate the transition from childhood to adulthood is underway.