These questions are frequently asked by young male readers. This table was created to provide information for guys and or their parents. Everyone seems so overly concerned about what is “normal” for themselves or for their child. Most of us, sooner or later go through puberty.
Puberty is the period of time when sexual characteristics develop and sexual organs mature. There is also a significant growth spurt and the timing of that ‘spurt’ can vary from person to person. Along with sexual maturation and development, a wide range of emotional changes also take place. Some boys go through this period very easily and for others it can be more difficult. (Talk to a mother of a teen boy).
The Stages of Development of Puberty in Boys
The table below summarizes the physical events at each stage of development. The changes associated with puberty generally occur gradually between the ages of 9 and 16 years. The age of puberty can vary considerably from person to person.
| Age Years These will vary. |
Features | What Happens |
| 11 – 14 | Growth of hair and pubic hair | Hair usually begins to grow on various parts of the body when a boy is between ages 11 and 14 years. Hair can continue to spread to other parts of the body until a young man reaches about age 20.
Sparse growth of slightly pigmented pubic hair at base of penis around age 12.4 — Adult-type hair with spread to the inside of thighs but not up the abdomen (15.3 years). Hair is typically seen on a young man’s face, underarm area, pubic area, abdomen, chest, arms, legs, and buttocks. The amount and distribution of hair can vary considerably from one man to the next — this is entirely normal and may have genetic tendencies. |
| 11 – 15 | Voice Changes | As a result of increased testosterone, vocal cords become longer and thicker and the voice becomes lower. While these changes are occurring it is not unusual for the voice to change pitch abruptly or ‘crack’ at times. (This can often be very embarrassing). Average age around 13.5 years, with voice ‘changing’ around age 14.5 |
| 13 – 16 | External Genital Development | Increased growth of the penis and scrotum often starts at about age 13 and continues until adult size is reached about 2 years later. Keep in mind, there is a fair degree of variation in the age for genital development from one boy to the next. See ‘Penis Size‘ for more on this.
Thinning and reddening of scrotum occurs around age 12 years. |
| 11 – 20 | Oil Glands Become Active or Overactive | Oil glands in the skin become more active – This can cause acne. Many people will have problems with acne into adulthood. |
| 10 – 17 | Growth Spurt and the appearance of a more muscular and angular shape. | While both girls and boys will begin a rapid growth spurt sometime between the ages of 10 and 15, the growth spurt in boys usually occurs about two years after the growth spurt takes place in girls of the same age.
The body takes on a new more muscular and angular shape in boys under the influence of testosterone. This generally begins around age 12.5 when testosterone causes muscle mass to increase. The greatest effect can usually be seen in the upper chest and shoulder muscles. Testosterone also causes bones to lengthen, giving young men a heavier bone structure and longer arms and legs. |
| (Start in infancy), Related to puberty:
12 – 18 |
Penile Erections | Males have spontaneous penis erections throughout their lives (even when they are infants). During puberty boys tend to get erections more frequently. Erections can occur with or without any physical or sexual stimulation. While this can be very embarrassing for teenage guys, especially when it happens in public, like school, it’s important to understand that it is entirely normal for this to happen. |
Of course, emotionally, this can be a very difficult time with hormones fluctuating without your control. It’s good to have a friend, older brother or parent with whom you can discuss your emotional changes and urges.