Many parents, unfortunately, do not quite understand what transitional age is in girls. Signs that tell them that a new period is beginning in their daughter’s life are often simply ignored. Adults forget about their own childhood and youth, and therefore, when their beloved daughter reaches a transitional age, they are not at all ready for the changes that are taking place. Moms and dads have no idea when the transitional age of girls begins and how many years ends, what changes in their physiological and psychological state are normal and which are not, what problems accompany this period and how to deal with them.
What is a transitional age?
Transitional age is a rather difficult period that every child goes through in the process of growing up. This fact is confirmed by both psychologists and doctors. During this period of time, children change their attitude and consciousness, and their body is subject to significant physiological changes.
Sooner or later, every parent raising a beloved daughter wonders how old the transitional age of girls begins. Unfortunately, an unequivocal answer to this question does not exist, since this period does not have strict time boundaries. The transitional age in girls, the signs and symptoms that characterize it, differ and depend on the individuality of each person. However, in the circle of specialist psychologists it is customary to conditionally divide the transitional age into three main phases:
- The period when the girl’s body and psyche is preparing for the upcoming significant changes. This phase is often called young adolescence.
- Directly transitional age.
- Post-transitional (or as it is also called post-pubertal) age, characterized by the completion of psychological and physical formation. This phase is considered youth.
What physiological changes accompany transitional age?
How to determine that the transitional age has begun in a girl? Signs are usually present, so careful parents are unlikely to miss this moment. From a physiological point of view, the following age-related changes take place:
- At the age of 8-10 years, the pelvic bones expand, and the buttocks and hips take a more rounded shape.
- At the age of 9-10 years, one can notice an increase in pigmentation of the paralosal circle.
- At the age of 10-11 years, hair begins to grow in the pubic and axillary regions, and the mammary glands develop intensively.
- At the age of 11-12 years, some girls have menstruation, although usually this happens a little later (by 13-14 years).
- At the age of 15-16 years, as a rule, the menstrual cycle becomes stable, and menstruation goes regularly.
Puberty Anomalies
Parents need to be very careful during the period when the transitional age of girls begins. Signs of any deviations should be identified in a timely manner, since any delay is fraught with serious consequences. Moms and dads should sound the alarm if:
- The mammary glands begin to grow too early. We are talking about premature breast growth, if this happens when the girl is not yet 8 years old.
- Premature puberty is characterized by the onset of puberty in girls under 8-10 years old.
- Premature hair growth in the pubic area and armpits.
- Premature or delayed onset of menstruation.
- Belated puberty, characterized by the absence of signs of puberty in girls 13-14 years old.
Despite the fact that there is no specific date when the transitional age in girls begins, the symptoms described above should alert parents. If any of them is detected, it is recommended to consult a doctor for advice.
Diseases of Transitional Age
The puberty is accompanied by serious changes throughout the body. Health status is also affected. Problems arising psychologically have an additional burden on the body, as a result of which it sometimes fails.
What diseases arise when the transitional age in girls begins? Do the symptoms of these diseases manifest somehow or not?
As a rule, the ailments characteristic of adolescence are temporary. Among the most common, the following should be noted:
- Acne that appears in almost every teenager. They can be seen not only on the face, but also on the back or even on the chest. The main reason for their appearance is the intensive production of sebum and the simultaneous blockage of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands. This problem disappears over time, although it makes teenagers nervous.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia, which is a violation of the autonomic nervous system. These disorders are the result of hormonal processes that occur in the body during the period known as the transitional age in girls. Signs and symptoms of this disease can not be overlooked. The girl has a rapid heartbeat, sweating, irritability, fatigue, often dizzy, without any apparent reason, her stomach hurts. These phenomena usually disappear at the end of adolescence.
- Teenage depression that occurs amid psychological stress.
Puberty and transitional age
In girls, signs of puberty appear, as a rule, at the age of 12-13 years. They grow rapidly, and in just one year, their growth can increase by 5-10 cm. Puberty of girls begins with a sharp development of the mammary glands and, of course, the genitals. The body takes on a more rounded shape, subcutaneous fat is deposited on the buttocks and hips, intensive hair growth begins on the pubis and armpits. Along with this, changes are occurring in character. Girls are becoming more shy, they are increasingly flirting with the boys, falling in love for the first time.
One of the most important signs of puberty is the onset of the first menstruation. At this time, there are changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Mood swings, fatigue and headaches are observed. Therefore, when menstruation begins, doctors recommend that girls are more likely to be in the fresh air, not to subject the body to excessive physical exertion, and to rest more.
What psychological problems do girls have in adolescence?
For teenage girls, how they are perceived by others is of great importance. It is very important for them how they look and what impression they make on the representatives of the opposite sex, that is, on the boys. They spend a lot of time in front of the mirror and carefully study the changes that their body has undergone. Often, girls are very critical of themselves and are unsatisfied with their appearance. In addition, adolescents experience frequent mood swings, due to increased release of sex hormones into the blood. Hormones are also the cause of excess sexual energy. However, the girl cannot yet realize this energy because of her age. As a result, she becomes aggressive, cheeky and naughty. Parents should be patient and not forget that during this period adolescent adrenal cortex functions much more intensively, and that is why their child is constantly in a state of stress.
What complexes occur in girls during puberty?
In the family, new problems appear when the transitional age of girls comes. Photos of an intimate nature in a drawer, a mountain of cosmetics and new clothes are far from rare. The desire to put on a short skirt and apply a thick layer of makeup on the face does not mean that the girl wants to attract attention. Sometimes this is a sign that she developed certain complexes, and she lost confidence in herself. The situation is aggravated if a teenage girl lags behind her peers in development. The second breast size of a girlfriend against her zero is perceived as a real tragedy. Life seems gray and worthless.
If the girl is not helped, let her continue to be alone with her problems, as a result, the complexes will increase. This, in turn, can lead to the development of prolonged depression, from which it is not possible to exit without the intervention of a psychologist.
How to help the girl overcome the difficulties of adulthood?
During puberty, it is difficult not only for adolescents, but also for their parents. Loving mothers and fathers often turn to specialists with a question about how long the transitional age of girls lasts. Unfortunately, neither psychologists nor doctors will be able to give them a specific date, since it all depends on the individual characteristics of the child. However, they can give parents some important tips to help them cope with the difficulties of adolescence. For example, parents should:
- allow the girl to make independent decisions;
- forget about the directive style of communication;
- provide the girl with greater freedom;
- not to do for the daughter the work that she can do on her own;
- Do not criticize the guy she meets;
- not violate her personal space;
- Do not discuss daughter with strangers.