Secondary sexual characteristics determine the changes that occur in the structure and functions of various organs. They characterize the gender of a person. Do not confuse them with primary sexual characteristics that identify the genitals.
Secondary sexual characteristics directly depend on primary. They begin to appear during the ripening period, when the level of sex hormones rises. These signs include: the development of the mammary glands, especially the hairline, body proportions, musculoskeletal system, subcutaneous fat, behavioral differences and much more.
Signs of puberty in girls appear at about 10-11 years old. Under the influence of hormones, body weight and growth rapidly increase. The limbs grow faster than the body itself. The shape of the pelvis and the entire skeleton as a whole changes. Fat is deposited in the thighs, buttocks and abdomen, due to which the shape of the body is rounded. The skin becomes soft and thin. There is a growth and development of the mammary glands and a protrusion of the paralosal circle. In the future, the mammary glands will increase. They accumulate adipose tissue, which contributes to the formation of a mature mammary gland. The growth of hair on the head is enhanced. They appear in the armpits and on the pubis. The latter occurs in girls much earlier than in boys. For women, the distribution of hair in the form of a triangle with a clear border above the pubis is characteristic.
At this time, the sweat glands begin to work actively and emit a characteristic female smell. The sebaceous glands begin to work , as a result of which most adolescents have some skin problems in the form of youthful acne and acne.
Two to three years after the onset of the symptoms described above, menstruation begins in girls. It is she who is considered the main sign of puberty. Menstruation indicates that the girl is able to become pregnant. At this age, it is necessary to talk with the child as often as possible and explain all the changes that occur with the body. It is very important to tell correctly about sex life and all the dangers associated with it.
Sexual signs that are actively developing at this age do not indicate the maturity of the body. A new pregnancy is very harmful to health and affects the ability to have children in the future.
The general maturity of the female body occurs after a few years. Usually it is 17-18 years old. By this time, secondary sexual characteristics are already well developed, and the reproductive system is functioning at full strength. Only now we can say that the girl’s body is ready for motherhood.
The development of the boys occurs a little later. Secondary sexual characteristics are characterized by intensive growth of the body, penis and testicles, as well as an increase in body weight. Due to the fact that the shape of the larynx changes, the voice coarsens and becomes lower. In the armpits, on the pubis and face, hair appears. In some young men, swelling of the mammary glands and high sensitivity of the nipples occur. By the age of 15, they have sexual arousal and may be in the air.
In young men, the seminiferous tubules are filled with spermatogonia. Starting from the moment when the gonads will be able to produce mature sperm, we can talk about the young man entering puberty. The development of secondary sexual characteristics in men occurs up to 23-25 years. As a rule, by this age the appearance of a man is already fully formed. He is able to lead a normal sex life and raise offspring.
An important role in the life of boys and girls is played by sex education. Parents should explain the rules of conduct in an easy and accessible way. Children should not be allowed to learn about the relationship between men and women from TV screens or from friends. Such knowledge can bring considerable harm to very young people.