Understanding the stages of female puberty

The first signs + physical changes

Puberty is a key milestone in any young person’s life, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. 

For parents and guardians, understanding the stages of puberty can help you to provide the necessary support during this period of change. So, we’re here to give you a quick overview of the physical, emotional, and psychological changes a tween or teen (assigned female at birth) will experience.

Tanner stages of puberty

Healthcare professionals divide the physical changes associated with puberty into what are known as “Tanner stages”. We generally like to think of puberty as STAGES and not AGES as it varies so much, so you can apply these to your child’s development too.

Here’s a breakdown of the stages…

Stage 1: hormonal changes

At this stage, there are no outward physical changes. The brain begins signalling the body to prepare for changes by producing hormones. These hormones travel to the sex organs, causing them to produce oestrogen – in those assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Stage 2: the early signs

The onset of physical signs of puberty varies but typically begins around 8 to 11 years old in children AFAB. If puberty starts earlier than this, you might want to learn more about "precocious puberty". The first sign is usually the development of breast "buds," which are small lumps under one or both nipples. This stage is known as Thelarche. Pubic hair may also start to grow. It can be helpful to reassure your child that these changes are a completely normal part of growing up.

Stage 3: developmental milestones

Breast development continues, and pubic hair becomes thicker, along with other body hair such as under the arms. Girls (AFAB) also begin to experience a significant growth spurt. This is a good point to start conversations about personal hygiene like showering daily, having a skincare routine, and using anti-perspirant, as increased sweat and oil gland activity can lead to body odour and acne.

Stage 4: menarche and continued growth

Menarche (the start of menstruation, or periods) is a significant milestone and typically occurs 1-3 years after the first signs of puberty, around age 12 on average in the UK. 

One of the most asked about topics on luna is when teens will start a first period, so this is front of mind for many!

It can help to prepare your child for this event by discussing what to expect and how to manage periods – we've got some period dos and don'ts for this conversation on our website which are worth a look at, as well as a guide to talking to your daughter about her first period.

Our app luna's also got loads of advice that’s tailored to teens, explaining everything they need to know about periods, period products, period problems + more. We also have a period tracker, so they can start to notice patterns and predict their next period.

During this time, physical maturing also continues, including breast development, thickening body hair, and changes in body shape, often with an increase in body fat around the hips and thighs.

Stage 5: development ends

By this stage, most girls (AFAB) have regular menstrual cycles, though it may take time for these to settle down (around 2 years). Emotional changes are also significant during this period, as hormonal fluctuations can lead to mood swings, so it’s a good time to check in with them about this and help them with regulating how they feel. You may also wonder whether it's normal to be lazy during puberty, but this may be down to how they're feeling, rather than reluctance to do anything.

At this stage, most achieve their adult height and full physical maturity, taking on a more adult appearance. Breasts and pubic hair also reach their adult size and form.

Why not support your teen with luna premium?

Our app, luna, has dedicated advice on this topic which can help them feel more empowered through adolescence.

You can think of luna as a modern, digital approach to wellbeing – it’s cost-effective, verified by doctors and safeguarding experts, and has a direct line into the biggest concerns facing teens today – so it’s actually addressing what they need advice on, when they need it.

If you’ve been looking for an antidote to the misinformation and negativity shared on social media or forums, you can get luna for your teen via our luna premium page for the price of a coffee each month or manage their subscription by downloading luna yourself and signing up as a parent (it's "we are luna" in app stores).