Genetics

This is the most important factor that determines the timing of puberty for girls. If the girl's mother or a close female relative had puberty at an early age, then it's very likely that she will see hers early, too. This is because some genes influence the production and sensitivity of the estrogen, hypothalamus and pituitary gland, causing puberty for girls to start earlier or later.    

Nutrition and Body Fat Percentage

Both undernutrition and overnutrition can affect the timing of puberty for girls. In the case of undernutrition, since the body prioritizes the function of essential body parts like the liver, kidney and brain over reproduction, it’ll take up most of the body's nutrition and concentrate on keeping these vital organs alive and functional. 

Therefore, an undernourished girl will start puberty later than her peers. On the other hand, overnutrition causes a high body fat level, which leads to an increase in the production of leptin, a puberty hormone. This, then, makes the teen girl begin puberty earlier than other girls. Therefore, you must maintain a healthy balance for your teen girls to have a timely and healthy progression of puberty and the changes that come with it. 

Psychological Factors

If a teen girl experiences high levels of stress or traumatic experiences, then there's a high chance that they may have early puberty. This is because the body may react to these (perceived) threats by accelerating the development of puberty hormones. 

This could also happen the other way around; a teen girl's body may react to psychological distress by stopping the production of hormones that lead to puberty. The best thing is to provide your teen girls with a stable home to get a healthier timing for the start of puberty.  

Physical Activity

If your teen girl is training to be an athlete or carry out high levels of physical activity, then you shouldn't be worried if her puberty begins later than other girls. This is because high physical activity leads to a lower body fat percentage, which then leads to getting a late start in puberty for some girls. 

On the other hand, less physical activity leads to high body fat, leading to early puberty in some girls. So, you have to help your teen girl find the right amount of physical activity that will regulate her body fat percentage and help her start her puberty at a healthy age.

Different Stages of Puberty in Girls

Tanner Stage 1

This is the stage before physical puberty for girls. Here, your daughter is still basically a child. This stage usually happens on her seventh or eighth birthday for early bloomers and on her 12th or 13th birthday for late bloomers. Here, the brain sends the first signals to the body to start preparing for puberty changes.

These signals begin a chain reaction starting from the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus starts releasing the gonadotropin-releasing hormone to the pituitary gland. Then, the pituitary gland releases the Luteinizing hormone (LH) and the Follicle-Stimulating hormone (FSH),  two hormones crucial for the development of the female's reproductive system.

The LH will initiate ovulation and stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone. The FSH will then promote the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, which help in the development of eggs. Mind you, you won't notice any physical puberty-related changes in your teen girl's body at this stage. 

Tanner Stage 2

This is where you may notice physical changes in her body. The first physical sign of puberty in girls is the development of breasts -usually called buds. It appears under the nipple, can feel a bit itchy or tender and might be larger on one side. Also, her nipple might start expanding and becoming darker – this signifies the appearance of the areola. For more information, you can check out our blog on how to measure for the first bra.

You might also notice some fine, sparse pubic hair at the base of her pubic area. Pubic hair for girls starts between the ages of eight to 13, depending on when she starts puberty. [5] Remember that all of these changes are normal; it simply shows that your daughter/ward is becoming a woman.

Tanner Stage 3

At this stage, your teen girl's breast "buds" will continue to grow and expand. Her pubic hair will become darker and thicker and start spreading. She might start forming hair under her armpits, and you might start seeing the first signs of acne on her face or her back. Her hips might also start getting filled with fat and start expanding.

Note that teens tend to have the highest growth rate during this puberty stage, so expect an increase in height as well. [6] 

Tanner Stage 4

At this stage, her buds will have matured enough to now be called breasts. Her nipples will have fully formed a secondary mound above her breast. Her pubic hair will now become denser, darker, and coarser. It will cover her pubic area but not expand to the inner things yet.

Expect your daughter to start seeing her period at this stage (between ages 10 and 13), depending on the age that she went through her tanner stage one.

Tanner Stage 5

This is the final stage of puberty for girls. Here, her pubic hair would have extended to her inner thighs, and her period would have become regular after six to 24 months. Her breasts may continue to develop until she is 18, but after the first two years of seeing her period, she will reach her final adult height. Her reproductive organs and genitals will also be fully developed at this stage, and her hips, thighs and buttocks will fill out in shape.

Emotional and Psychological Signs of Puberty for Girls

Choose Bleuet to Support Your Daughter Through Puberty

The best way to manage puberty for girls is through communication. Talk with her and explain the physical and emotional changes. Help her understand her feelings and the pros and cons of the new beliefs she wants to live by. While doing this, make sure to have constructive communication – no yelling, shouting or tantrums.

Don’t forget that she needs physical items to go through her puberty as well. Items like the best tween bras, menstrual products including pads, tampons, or cups; healthcare supplies like pain relievers for menstrual cramps, deodorants, etc.

Bleuet bras, for example, provide comfort for sensitive and tender breast buds. It helps girls feel less self-conscious during puberty and more confident in social situations. It provides a sense of privacy and modesty, which is important for your daughter's self-esteem during puberty. Bluet bras make breast development feel normal and natural.

We offer various bra types, from first bras to padded and supportive bras, sports bras and camisoles for teens who aren't comfortable wearing bras yet. Our first bras are soft and double-lined to avoid any visible lines or bumps and give support to teen girls. They come with two colors per bra so she can reverse it if she likes. 

Moreover, our bras come in 10 different sizes, ranging from size six to 24, and support AA to C cups. We also offer free 60-day returns and exchanges, so you don't have to worry if you get the size wrong or if she doesn't like the color.

Frequently Asked Questions