Gonadarche facts for kids
Gonadarche is a big word for the very first changes that happen in your body's reproductive parts when you start puberty. It's when your gonads, which are special organs, begin to grow and make more hormones. In girls, these organs are called ovaries. In boys, they are called testes. These changes are a natural part of growing up!
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What is Gonadarche?
Gonadarche marks the start of your reproductive organs waking up. Before this, your ovaries or testes are mostly quiet. During gonadarche, they begin to get bigger. They also start making more of the hormones that cause many changes in your body.
The Role of Hormones
Hormones are like chemical messengers in your body. They tell different parts of your body what to do. During gonadarche, the ovaries in girls start making more estradiol. This is a type of estrogen. The testes in boys start making more testosterone. These hormones are very important for the changes that happen during puberty.
How Hormones Affect Your Body
These hormones help your body grow and develop. For example, they help your bones get stronger and your muscles grow. They also cause other changes that make you look more like an adult. This is all a normal part of becoming a teenager and then an adult.
When Does Gonadarche Happen?
Gonadarche usually happens around the same time as the first signs of puberty. For girls, this can be anywhere from about 8 to 13 years old. For boys, it's usually a bit later, from about 9 to 14 years old. Everyone is different, so these ages can vary. It's normal for some people to start earlier or later than others.
The Puberty Journey
Gonadarche is just one step in the journey of puberty. Puberty is the time when your body changes from a child's body to an adult's body. It involves many different changes, both inside and outside. Gonadarche is one of the earliest and most important steps in this process. It sets the stage for many other changes to come.
Why is Gonadarche Important?
Gonadarche is important because it kicks off the process of your body becoming able to reproduce. It's a key part of growing up. These changes are natural and happen to everyone. They help you develop into a healthy adult.
See also
In Spanish: Gonadarquía para niños
