Puberty & Breast Development

There are many variations of puberty and the timing of puberty in girls can vary considerably. In some cases girls can already feel changes as early as 8 years of age. At the same time other girls of the similar age do not begin their adolescent development until age 13. In average girls usually take 3 to 3 ½ years to complete their pubertal development, but this process could take from 2 to 6 years to complete.
Puberty includes the complex of physical and emotional changes. Mood swings, easy anger and loss of emotional control are common. The emotional turbulence may last longer than the time span of physical development.
According to TeenGrowth.com at different ages the following changes are more typical for puberty development:

10 ½ -11 Most girls begin puberty with breast enlargement, but some start with the appearance of pubic hair. Growth of breast tissue usually begins with the development of a small, tender "knot" just beneath the nipple. This may appear first on one side then on the other, or on both sides at the same time. These tender lumps are called "breast buds."
11-12 The average girl begins pubic hair development between ages 11 and 12, usually within about six months of starting breast development. The hair begins along the lips of the vagina (labia majora), becomes darker, courser and curlier, and spreads upward onto the pubic mound (symphysis pubis.)
12-13 The typical girl experiences her pubertal growth spurt at this time. Her fastest growth, called the "peak height velocity," usually occurs at approximately 12 years of age, just before her periods start. Body fat accumulation increases and more fat is distributed on the hips. Further breast enlargement is seen. Underarm hair and odor develop, and some girls develop acne. Under the influence of estrogen from the ovaries, the uterus enlarges and begins to secrete a mucous discharge. Most girls begin their cycles of menstrual bleeding around 12 ½, about two years after the first appearance of breast buds; however, there is considerable variation in the timing of when a girl's menstrual cycle starts. Periods are often very irregular for the first year after they begin because ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary) may not occur for 12 to 18 months. The AVERAGE girl grows about 2 inches after starting her menstrual period, but this may range from 1 to 6 inches.
14-15 The nipples may be elevated on a secondary mound on top of the breasts as they continue to enlarge. By age 15, MOST girls have achieved almost full adult breast size and have reached their adult heights. Menstrual periods now occur every month and girls may notice soreness in the breasts and crampy, lower abdominal pain before they get their period. Although the physical growth of girls is typically completed by age 15, the emotional roller coaster, which is normal during the adolescent stages of development, usually continues through the teenage years and into the 20s. Time for sexual feelings, learning about self-protection, virginity, tampons, risks, possibilities, questions.

Stages of female breasts and pubic hair development introduced in the following table:

Stages	Breast developmen	Pubic hairs	Description
1			The preadolescent breast consists of a small elevated nipple with no significant underlying breast tissue The pubic hairs are almost not visible (very thin, fine and delicate)
2			Puberty begins (usually between ages of 8 and 13, average age is 11) with the development of breast tissue and pubic hair.  With the hormonal changes of puberty, breast buds form.  This stage of breast development is the breast bud stage.  Here, there is elevation of the breast and nipple as a small mound; the areola begins to enlarge.  Milk ducts inside the breast begin to grow.   The pubic hairs are starting grow slowly
3			In next stage, there is further enlargement and elevation of the breast and areola (with no separation of their contours).  The areola begins to darken in color.  The milk ducts give rise to milk glands that also begin to grow.   The pubic hairs are growing more visible and the quality of hairs are changed - becoming thicker, curly and darker.
4			Next, there is projection of the areola and nipple to form a secondary mound.   The pubic hairs are growing faster  and already forming sexual pubic triangle
5			In the mature adult breast there is projection of the nipple only (though in some woman the areola continues to form a secondary mound).   Final stage. The typical female sexual pubic hair triangle is already developed. Hairs are thick and often curly.