Summary:
- Puberty in girls starts when the hypothalamus “tells” the pituitary gland to secrete hormones that target the ovaries.
- Estrogen, in turn, promotes growth and other physical changes of puberty.
- It stimulates growth and development of the internal reproductive organs, breasts, and pubic hair.
- Girls are about 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) shorter, on average, than males by the time they reach their final height.
- Menarche is the beginning of menstruation, or monthly periods as the ovary begins the cyclic release of an egg.