Understanding Puberty Timelines
Delayed Puberty
Delayed puberty is when the body hasn't started showing these physical changes by the typical upper age limit. Interestingly, these delays are about eight times more common in people assigned male at birth (AMAB) than those assigned female at birth (AFAB).
For AMAB (assigned male at birth), the signs are no increase in testicular size, a lack of pubic hair, or a significant delay in the "growth spurt" by age 14, while AFAB will show no breast development or pubic hair by age 13, or no menstruation (periods) by age 15.
In most cases in Canada, a delay is simply "constitutional," which is a fancy way of saying it’s in your DNA. If your parents were "late bloomers," you likely will be too. It’s just a natural part of human variation!
However, sometimes a delay can be a signal from your body that it needs a little help with nutrition or hormone balance. Because many of these underlying issues are easily treatable if caught early, it’s always a good idea to have a quick, confidential chat with a doctor if you’re concerned about your timeline.
For AMAB (assigned male at birth), the signs are no increase in testicular size, a lack of pubic hair, or a significant delay in the "growth spurt" by age 14, while AFAB will show no breast development or pubic hair by age 13, or no menstruation (periods) by age 15.
In most cases in Canada, a delay is simply "constitutional," which is a fancy way of saying it’s in your DNA. If your parents were "late bloomers," you likely will be too. It’s just a natural part of human variation!
However, sometimes a delay can be a signal from your body that it needs a little help with nutrition or hormone balance. Because many of these underlying issues are easily treatable if caught early, it’s always a good idea to have a quick, confidential chat with a doctor if you’re concerned about your timeline.
Precocious Puberty
Precocious puberty, also known as early puberty, is when the body’s biological clock starts much sooner than average, typically before age 8 in AFAB individuals and before age 9 in AMAB individuals.
In contrast to delays, early puberty is about ten times more common in people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
For AMAB, the signs are enlargement of the testes or deepening of the voice before age 9, while for AFAB, we see breast development and menstruation before age 8. Both AMAB and AFAB will also show an accelerated height growth, body hair on private parts, acne and an adult body odour.
In contrast to delays, early puberty is about ten times more common in people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
For AMAB, the signs are enlargement of the testes or deepening of the voice before age 9, while for AFAB, we see breast development and menstruation before age 8. Both AMAB and AFAB will also show an accelerated height growth, body hair on private parts, acne and an adult body odour.
Consequences
Being on a different timeline from the majority of your peers can be hard. Sometimes, your brain may feel more mature than your body looks, or vice-versa. And it's never easy to be the first to go through something, or the last.
Many teens that are ahead or behind in comparison to their peers go through emotional distress, poor body image and low self-esteem during puberty. This might be because they are more likely to be bullied or teased by their peers due to being behind or ahead. Ifthis happens to you, please share with a trusted adult, and PLEASE don't take it to heart! If you feel bad for being different, remember you are only done cooking when you enter your 20s. By then, you will have caught up with your peers, or they will have caught up with you.
Puberty is just a process, not the finished line!
Many teens that are ahead or behind in comparison to their peers go through emotional distress, poor body image and low self-esteem during puberty. This might be because they are more likely to be bullied or teased by their peers due to being behind or ahead. Ifthis happens to you, please share with a trusted adult, and PLEASE don't take it to heart! If you feel bad for being different, remember you are only done cooking when you enter your 20s. By then, you will have caught up with your peers, or they will have caught up with you.
Puberty is just a process, not the finished line!
