The following information outlines typical development for puberty in boys, answering common questions boys and their parents might have:
When do boys enter puberty?
For the typical boy, the body renovations directed by the testicles begin at the age of 11 1/2, around nine months after gonadal puberty begins for the typical girl. But it can start as early as 9 or as late as 15 and still be considered within the range of normal.
Stages of puberty in boys
Although each boy is different, here is a breakdown of the average stages of puberty for boys:
Age 11-13 years: A growth spurt begins, and children begin to experience genital changes. Boys will experience growth of the testes and penis, accompanied by sparse pubic hair.
13- to 16-years: Boys experience continued growth and maturation of the penis, testes and scrotum, along with the appearance of straight, pigmented pubic hair, which will progressively grow kinky as they mature. Their voice deepens, and they develop auxiliary hair on their bodies, starting first with their armpits and legs, followed by the chest and chin (though some boys may have sparse body hair well into early adulthood). There are also invisible changes in their accessory reproductive glands. The heaviest growth spurt occurs during this age, when children will attain most of their maximum height.
Ages 16-18: By this age most of the pubertal changes have finished. Boys will continue to develop increased body hair, will exhibit a marked vocal change, and reach the peak of their physical growth.
Testosterone levels in boys during puberty
Testosterone levels rise dramatically at the start of puberty. By age 15 the typical adolescent boy will have the same testosterone levels as an adult male, and up to 20 -times that of younger children.
Ejaculation & fertility
Ejaculations can begin as early as age 9 or 10. Boys begin ejaculating early into puberty, but this does not necessarily mean they are fertile. “The mean age at which semen can be ejaculated is 13.7 years,” says Kent Van De Graaff, “But sufficient mature sperm for fertility are generally not produced until 14 to 16 years of age.” (Van De Graaff, 2000, p. 760) This can also be a scary experience for boys, especially if they don’t know what to expect. “A boy’s first ejaculation can be every bit as frightening as a girl’s first menstruation,” notes Dr. Frank Pittman (I 993, p. 99).
Wet dreams
Wet dreams occur when a boy orgasms during his sleep at night. They occur without any physical stimulation and while the boy is unconscious. Wet dreams are a result of the fact that we’re all cycling through states of sexual arousal in our sleep, and if this arousal is intense enough, it can result in an unconscious orgasm. Not all boys experience wet dreams.
Challenges boys face during puberty:
-
Peers become more aggressive, whether as a result of the surging testosterone or the brain changes taking place. Bullying becomes more common and a lot more vicious. A boy’s social world in junior high really can start to resemble something akin to The lord of the Flies.
-
Concerns about penis size often develop. Boys undergoing puberty are often disappointed their member falls short of what they typically see in porn. Boys may also get together to compare one another’s genitals, and boys who aren’t as far along into puberty might come away with the impression that they don’t measure up.
-
A boy’s penis develops a mind of its own, and they constantly worry about getting erections at inopportune times or under the wrong circumstances.
-
Boys start to feel a lot more awkward around girls, and often struggle to channel this newfound interest in constructive ways. They may deflect tension into teasing.
See also …