Secondary Sexual Characteristics
- Secondary sexual characteristics are the changes that occur during puberty
- Their development is controlled by the release of hormones
- Oestrogen in females
- Testosterone in males
Female secondary sexual characteristics
Female | Effects of Oestrogen |
Development of breasts | |
Body hair grows | |
Menstrual cycle begins | |
Hips get wider |
Male secondary sexual characteristics
Male | Effects of Testosterone |
Growth of penis and testes | |
Growth of facial and body hair | |
Muscles develop | |
Voice breaks | |
Testes start to produce sperm |
- Some changes occur in both males and females, including growth of sexual organs and growth of body hair
- Emotional changes also occur due to the increased levels of hormones in the body
- These include more interest in sex and increased mood swings