Nagdadalaga Na! A Parent's Guide To Puberty For Females

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Puberty is a phase that can be intimidating to both parents and children. It’s an inevitable developmental stage that occurs in both boys and girls as they transition to adolescence, but puberty for females comes with its own unique set of challenges. Here’s a quick guide for what to expect and how to best support your daughter as she blossoms from being your little girl into a young lady. 

Stages of Puberty 

Puberty for females begins when the body produces the sex hormone, estrogen. Puberty may begin as early as eight years old, but you won’t see any visible changes even if it has already started. According to pediatrician and Smart Parenting Board of Experts member Dr. Joanna Cuayo-Estanislao, “In general, girls enter puberty between 8–13 years old. You'll know your child has begun puberty when she has started further development of their breasts, where their breasts elevate into a small mound with an increase in the size of their areolae,” she shares with Smart Parenting. 

Around the ages of 9-11 years old, you may also notice physical changes in your daughter such as body hair, her first menstrual period, and a change in her body shape.  

“The last stage of puberty is marked by the achievement of adult sexual features in both girls and boys. For girls, this happens around 16 years old, when their breasts have matured (nipples are now projecting and their areola has become part of the general contour of their breast) and their pubic hair has achieved the adult feminine triangle that may spread towards the inner part of the thighs,” Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao shares. 

Changes to Expect 

Puberty can make your preteen feel anxious or embarrassed about the changes brought about by this stage. As your daughter approaches puberty, initiate a conversation that will educate her about the physical and emotional changes she is about to experience and how to best deal with them. 

Breast development 

The first sign of puberty in girls is the development of buds, or small lumps under the areola, about the size of a large coin. It’s normal to feel slight pain and sensitivity in and around the area and may grow unevenly at first, but this should improve over time. 

Growth of body hair 

The growth of hair around the pubic area, under the arms, and on the legs will begin during puberty. Hair will grow lightly and thinly at first but will get darker, coarser, and thicker later. 

Menstrual periods 

After a year or two after girls enter puberty, she will experience menarche, or the first period. The exact age of your daughter’s period will depend on other factors such as genetics or health but studies show that menarche typically happens between the ages of 10 and 16. 

'Apart from the physical changes, make sure you talk to her about the emotional changes in puberty.'

Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao validates how other factors may affect menarche. “It's important to note that genetics play a large role in the timing of their menarche. If the mom had her menarche a little later, their daughter may experience the same. There are other factors that also contribute to when menstruation starts, such as a child's nutritional status, the presence of any chronic illnesses, and even their physical and psychosocial environment,” she says. 
 
For their first period, girls may have bright red blood or red-brown spotting at the beginning. They may also be irregular and even skip a month. Although this is all considered normal, talk to your daughter in advance about the regular monthly cycle and educate her with the use of pantyliners, pads, and pain management from menstrual cramps. 

READ ALSO: A Parent's Ultimate Guide To Puberty: Know The Physical, Emotional Changes Of Your Tween

Change in body shape 

One of the noticeable physical changes in puberty for females is their change in body shape and size. During this stage, girls will grow at the fastest rate in height and breast development about six months before they get their period. In addition, girls experience growth spurts at an earlier age than boys do. 
 
Their bodies will also take on more shape as their hips widen and waists get smaller. As their bodies are growing rapidly, it’s normal for girls to seem like they’re growing out of proportion at first. However, their bodies will eventually even out after puberty.  

Early or delayed puberty 

Each child will start and end puberty at a different rate. But if you think your daughter is developing at a significantly early or late age, consult your pediatrician immediately. “Early onset of puberty (also called precocious puberty) is when you notice breast development before the age of 8 in girls. There's a wide range of what is considered ‘normal’ in terms of the stages and onset of puberty, as well as a lot of factors that may contribute to when a child may experience puberty (and the stages of puberty), so regular visits to your doctor can help you better determine what is normal/expected for your child,” Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao advises. 

How You Can Help 

Puberty for females can be overwhelming for both parent and child, and might leave you wondering, how will you cope with the changes in puberty? It’s important that you support your daughter in ways that will not only educate but also reassure her that the emotional and physical changes she’s experiencing are all part of her development. 

1. Brief your preteen beforehand. 

As a parent, the last thing you want is your preteen frantically running to you because of how the sight of blood in her panties scared her to tears. Don’t wait for your daughter to come to you with questions. Instead, initiate puberty-related conversations during your day-to-day activities. Draw from your own experiences and tell her what it was like when you were her age. 
 
This stage can be a confusing time for your child so apart from the physical changes, make sure you talk to her about the emotional changes in puberty. Your daughter may not always be fully receptive to the conversation, so keep your communication lines open by responding, instead of reacting. For instance, if she seems distant or cold, try not to take it personally by giving her space and being there for her when she’s ready. 

2. Develop healthy habits.

When your daughter enters puberty, her body enters a state of hypergrowth. This means that her usual breakfast of pan de sal and milk might not suffice. “In terms of supporting your child through physical changes, it's important to continue to encourage them to have an adequate and balanced diet. The body demands more calories during early adolescence (at around 10-13 years old) than at any other time of our life. Girls require an average of 2,200 calories per day,” Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao advises. 
 
But it’s not just second servings your preteen should be loading up on. Help your daughter develop healthy habits by making lifestyle choices that support her overall wellbeing during this stage. “Other healthy lifestyle habits include limiting screen time, eating at least four servings of fruits, five servings of vegetables, and four servings of dairy products a day, limiting consumption of junk food, fast food, and sodas, and getting 9-10 hours of sleep every night,” Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao adds. 
 
Puberty for females come with its share of challenges. With the physical, emotional, and social changes your daughter experiences, reassure her that she is not alone, and that the rest of the girls her age are going through the same thing too. Puberty is a journey, but it won’t happen overnight so make sure you give your little lady the support and guidance that she’ll be needing every step of the way. 

Want a tween's perspective on talking about puberty and periods? Read this.