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Puberty Adolescents experience a broad range of developmental stages that occur at various times, depending on the individual. Females, perhaps more than males, experience a broader ranger of physical development during the adolescent period, due to the onset of menstration. Puberty, for all teenagers, is considered a trying time. The physical, cognitive, and emotional development of puberty affects not only the adolescent, but also those around them. The onset of female puberty is most often noticed through the physical changes of the female body. This period of development usually occurs between the ages of 9 and 11. Bone growth, increases in body fat, breast development, and pubic hair/underarm hair growth are the prominent indicators of puberty’s onset. Increases in body fat can be directly related to the onset of menarche, the first menstrual period. It is an important factor for adolescent girls to remember that there are wide variations in the onset and progression of puberty. The onset of male puberty is most noticeable by the physical changes of the male body. The hormone testosterone plays a key role in the development of external ge