• Recognise that puberty is a process which takes 4-5 years and begins with adrenarche

puberty occurs in different stages, the stages can be randomly ordered although usually there is structure to the order within each stage. puberty is a developmental stage (physical changes) during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction

Female puberty usually occurs 2.4yrs before males

Adrenarche occurs first = it is the increase in production of androgens by the adrenal cortex

(androgens are steroid hormones e.g. dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)).

this stage occurs at 6-8yrs

ACTH is produced by the pituitary

which stimulates adrenal glands to secrete androgens (predominantly DHEA)

these increased androgen levels are responsible for

Development of pubic and axillary hair (pubarche) – Development of pilosebaceous unit in the skin - acne – Increases cortical bone density

Gonadarche then occurs

physical and functional maturation of the gonads by gonadotrophins • Gonadotrophins are FSH & LH from pituitary

FSH and LH tell the testes and ovaries to make hormones that bring about changes during puberty.