Puberty is the beginning of development of the reproductive organs which starts much earlier to its actual occurrence.

In girls Puberty is marked by the first Menstrual Bleeding between the age of 10 and 12 years.

Growth in girls is usually ahead of boys by about a year. At the time of puberty they are usually taller than boys.

During Adolescence i.e. between the ages of 12 to 18 years, both physical as well as emotional growth takes place.

The girl’s reproductive organ, ovaries release female hormone estrogen to produce a matured egg called ova required for reproduction.  This hormone is also responsible for secondary changes like growth of pubic and facial hair, development of breasts and genitals. Change in girl’s voice is less noticeable than boys.

Depending upon the level of hormones in each individual, the time and rate of changes differ in every individual.

Puberty involves changes in the girl’s body to prepare for pregnancy and child birth.  The skeleton at lower abdomen changes to make space between the pelvic bone.  Hips therefore get broader and fat gets deposited around the hips to protect the reproductive organs.

Most girls start growing by the age of 10 years, but starting of growth from the age of 9 to 13 is quite normal for many.

Feet are often first to grow, giving the feeling that her body is not growing in proportion.

However, parents can reassure her by telling that her body will catch up with growth of the feet because it has its own speed of growth.

Her bones too will grow at their own speed. Arms and legs grow faster than growth of backbones.

Their hips start growing and the hip bones become larger.

The soft and fatty tissues grow over hips, thighs and buttocks. As the hip become wider the waist appears narrower, giving the body curves of a woman.

Changes in the area of hips are to build the area for holding the baby during pregnancy.

During puberty girl’s genitals undergo major transformation.

Before puberty, the vulva is thin and gets easily injured and irritated.

Even before noticeable breast development, tissues of vulva start becoming thicker and larger.

Girl’s inner and outer vaginal lips, clitoris and its hood, and hymen markedly increase in size. Not only there is change in size of the Girl’s genitals, their shape, color and texture also changes.

Since pubic hair also start growing at the same time, the girl is less likely to be aware of changes in vulva.

A visit to a gynaecologist at the onset of puberty will be helpful in explaining significance of each part of genital region with the help of mirror and also for giving instructions about how to keep the area clean.

The look of the female genitals is so different from how it appeared before puberty, that most girls may feel their genitals strange and awkward.

For some girls who inspect the genital area regularly on their own, the drastic changes in vulva may be shocking and may become cause of concern or anxiety. Some girls may even feel that it is the punishment they have received because of masturbation or for having sexual thoughts.

Girl should be advised and taught to use hand mirror to view the vulva and explore its parts. Learning to examine own vulva helps in maintaining hygiene, for developing sexuality and identifying alarming changes,  which may need visit to a doctor.

Girl should be reassured that changes taking place in her vulva during puberty is normal and explained dos and don’ts for keeping her genitals clean.

The vulva and anus should be washed regularly and kept dry.

It is advisable not to share towels with family members or friends, because it can transmit infection.

After bathing, wear clean cotton panties. Nylon panties should be avoided as they hold the moisture and heat, which may encourage growth of bacteria and cause infection in or around the sensitive and delicate vulva.

After passing urine or defecating, you should clean the area from front backwards. If you wipe in forward direction, there is risk of pulling the germs from anal region over the vulva which has opening of urethra. This is the commonest cause of urinary tract infection.

Never try to wash inside vagina, unless doctor has given any specific instructions.

Washing inside of vagina with soap, spraying water inside the vagina can disturb the normal vaginal secretion which cleans the inside of vagina regularly and keeps it bacteria free. Disturbance in this secretion can expose the vaginal surface to infection.

Use of harsh soap and deodorants also cause irritation to genital region hence must be avoided.

When proper care is taken, vagina is a self-cleansing environment.

The genital area should be cleaned with water and mild soap while taking bath. The outer vaginal lips should be separated to clean the secretions accumulated under it.

Odour in the vaginal region when it is kept clean is normal and natural. At times if you are getting bad smell, you must visit gynaecologist to rule out any infection or for its treatment.

It is good to pay close attention to genital region for the normal discharge and during menstruation.

The discharge which is clear becomes whitish and slippery when you are ovulating. Vaginal discharge changes when girl is sexually aroused.

When the vaginal discharge becomes heavier or thicker, or changes colour to yellow, green or brown or causes itching in genital region, it is a sign of infection. You must visit the gynaecologist without delay.

Bad smelling discharge, pain or bleeding when you are not menstruating is also indication to see the doctor.

In girls, pubic hairs appear, usually between the ages of 11 and 12 years and become conspicuous because they are longer and somewhat darker than hair over other body parts.

They first appear along the edges of the outer vaginal lips or on the mons pubis.

Within a couple of years these hair become curlier, darker and denser while covering more area in pubic region.

In the adult stage, the pubic hair are more coarse and tightly curled, around the genital area and cover the triangular area above the groin region creating a cushion like surface.

Appearance of pubic hair, their amount and area covered varies person to person.

Nature has given pubic hair for a purpose.

Along with its function as a protective cushion for genital area, these hair help in holding genital odour, which has significant role in arousing the partner during sexual activity.

Pubic hair protruding from the sides of panties, bikini or swimwear is a cause of embarrassment and annoyance. 

Some people resort to plucking out these hair, which is not an effective solution. It is not only a painful experience, but also harm delicate skin around genital area.

Some women shave them with the help of razor, but that leaves the skin red and irritated. Further, the hair that grows back are rough and make the area spiky.

For some girls use of hair removing cream may be suitable, if the chemicals in it do not cause irritation or burning. Using hair removing cream in sensitive genital region can cause irritation, burning and may invite infection.

Hot or cold waxing, which can be carried out easily at a beauty salon or at home, is another method for removing pubic hair.

It is not advisable to remove the pubic hair permanently. At the same time excessive growth of pubic hair may give a clumsy appearance and keep the area moist and unclean which can invite fungal and parasitic infections.

Trimming pubic hair by a pair of scissors is a good way to deal with its growth.

Some women prefer to trim them regularly which helps in maintaining its esthetic appearance and gives a cushion feel for love making.

Generally, pubic hairs cover area around the vulva and over the mons pubis, the triangular area above the groin region,

In some women it forms a narrow vertical band whereas in some women it extends towards thighs on the side making it more conspicuous as they come out of the panties or swimwear.

In some the upward growth may extend towards umbilicus, but they are usually soft and scarce..

Like all other body characteristics, growth of pubic hair varies person to person and is specific for an individual.