FEMALE ANATOMY
Puberty
People assigned female at birth start puberty earlier than people assigned male at birth. Changes largely revolve around the structure of the body as well, the development of the ovaries and the vagina, as well as dealing with the menstrual cycle.
Prepuberty
Below Age 8
During the prepuberty stage, your body is still getting ready. Your adrenal glands (which produce a variety of hormones) are maturing, and your ovaries are growing inside you. You won’t see any big changes on the outside yet, but you will soon!
The Changes Begin
Ages 8-13
Breasts: The dark area around your nipples (the areola) gets bigger.
Pubic Hair: You see a few hairs along your labia (the lips of the vagina).
Growth Spurt: You start getting taller faster, about 2-3 inches a year.
Body Stuff: You might notice you need deodorant now because of body odor. Your uterus and clitoris are also starting to grow.
Keep Going
Ages 9-14
The changes from Stage 2 become more obvious, and new ones kick in.
Body Hair: Pubic hair becomes darker and coarser, forming into the shape of an upside-down triangle. You also start to get armpit hair!
Big Growth Spurt: This is often your fastest period of growth, you might shoot up more than 3 inches in a year!
Body Stuff: The breasts continue to grow more. Your skin may become oilier, which can lead to acne and pimples.
Almost There
Ages 10-15
Breasts: They keep growing. The areolae and the nipple form a separate little mound on top of the breast tissue.
Pubic Hair: It thickens and fills in more, but is still in a triangular shape.
Growth: You’re still growing taller, but a bit slower than in Stage 3.
The Period: Most girls get their first period during this stage, usually around age 12.
TIP: A good clue is that it often starts about two years after your breasts first started budding. It’s also common for it to be around the same age your mom or sister got theirs.
Everything Has Changed
Above Age 17
This is the final stage of development. Your body has reached its adult form.
Breasts: They are fully developed.
Pubic Hair: It now fills out and may spread to your inner thighs. Some people have a line of hair up to their belly button.
Height: Most girls reach their full adult height by age 16, but some may continue to grow a tiny bit until they’re 18-20.
REMEMBER: This is a general guide. Your personal journey is unique to you. The most important thing is that you’re healthy and comfortable with the changes you’re experiencing. If you ever have questions or concerns, talking to a trusted adult, school nurse, or doctor is always a great idea.
Internal organs
Vagina – This is a muscular canal that connects the outside of the body to the cervix. It is very stretchy and can widen to allow a baby to be born. Its walls stay moist with a special lining of mucous membranes.
Cervix – This is the lower part of the uterus. It has a small opening that lets menstrual blood out and lets sperm in. During childbirth, the cervix opens wide (or dilates) so the baby can pass through.
Uterus – This is a hollow, pear-shaped organ, also often called the womb. It is where a baby grows and develops during pregnancy.
Ovaries – These are two small glands found on each side of the uterus. Their main jobs are to store and release eggs and to produce important hormones like estrogen.
Fallopian tubes – hese are two narrow tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. They are the pathways for an egg (or ovum) to travel from the ovary. Fertilization, which is when a sperm cell joins an egg cell, usually happens inside these tubes.
External organs
Labia majora – These are the outer lips. They are two folds of skin that protect all the other organs. During puberty, hair grows on the skin of the labia majora, which also contains sweat and oil-secreting glands.
Labia minora – These are the inner lips inside the labia majora. They surround the opening to the vagina and urethra. This skin is very delicate and can become easily irritated and swollen.
Clitoris – This is a small, very sensitive part at the top of the vulva. It is covered by a fold of skin called the prepuce and is very sensitive to stimulation.
Vaginal opening – This is the entrance to the vagina. It is where menstrual blood leaves the body, a baby is born, and a penis enters during sexual intercourse.
Hymen – This is a thin piece of tissue that partly covers the vaginal opening in many people at birth. It can stretch or tear from everyday activities like sports or using a tampon.
Urethral opening – The hole you pee from.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9118-female-reproductive-system
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/puberty