I'm 12 and Taller Than the Girls - Did I Reach Puberty Early?
I'm a 12 year old boy and I'm the tallest in my class however I read online that around this age girls are to be taller. Does this mean I hit puberty early?
Puberty for boys generally begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Signs of puberty can include testicles getting larger, deepening voice, increased body odor, acne, and hair starting to grow on the face, chest, armpits or pubic area.
It would be perfectly normal for a 12-year-old boy to start going through puberty. So if you have any of the signs of puberty listed above, it is certainly possible that you have begun to go through puberty.
Remember that everyone starts puberty at different times and will take a different amount of time to go through puberty. Variances between young men and between young women are perfectly normal when it comes to puberty.
If you have any questions or concerns about puberty, or any of the changes in your body you are experiencing, check in with a medical professional. You could start by speaking to your school nurse. You could also schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or an adolescent medicine specialist. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
