Adolescence is an exciting coming of age. It’s a time of independence, enlightenment and discovery. It’s also a time of turmoil. Few adults have fond memories of our own teen years. Teens are often highly self-conscious, confused and challenged. The emotional growth during adolescence and the teen years is tremendous. On top of that, the increased production of hormones adds to the flurry.
During adolescence in girls, both estrogen and progesterone levels increase dramatically. The hormonal elevations initiate the development of breasts and wider hips, pubic and underarm hair, growth acceleration and the onset of menses.
Testosterone is the main sex hormone in males. Levels of testosterone surge in utero, at around 14 weeks gestation, then again at 2-3 months of life, and finally during adolescence. During adolescence, cells throughout the male body also experience an increased sensitivity to testosterone. As a result in the change of physiology, adolescent boys develop pubic hair, increased muscle mass and maturation of the bone structure, commonly leading to a growth spurt.
One of the most interesting, but least understood, effects of the sex hormones in both genders is on the central nervous system. There is some evidence that testosterone, estrogen and progesterone may interact with neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, in the brain. This results in emotional ramifications of fluctuating hormone levels.
The changes in hormonal levels may lead to tumultuous times in the lives of both the adolescent and his or her family members. The transition is often a rough process. It can take years for hormone levels to stabilize. Menstrual cycles may take time to regulate. Meanwhile, the ups and downs of hormones may lead to undesirable symptoms such as acne, weight gain, headaches, fatigue, changes in sleep pattern and mood swings, including depression and irritability.
In order to understand what kids are going through, it may help parents to consider their own experiences with menopause, and the lesser known andropause (the gradual decline in testosterone in men). Adolescence in children frequently runs parallel to the period of transition and “mid-life crisis”, when parents may be reevaluating their own lives, and watching their own bodies and hormone levels change. These parallel experiences can mount tension in the family, but also provide parents with insight, understanding and empathy.
It is important to realize that many of the adolescent physiologic changes are a very normal part of development. However, many of the undesirable symptoms, as well as aggravation of normal changes, are caused by poor nutritional and lifestyle habits, as well as high levels of stress, which unfortunately is not uncommon in the lives of adolescents. In addition, poor choices in these areas may increase the length of time required for hormones to “settle down”. The Standard American Diet is devoid of nutrients and full of harmful chemicals, and the standard teen diet is often worse than that. Smoking, alcohol and lack of exercise also promote further hormonal imbalances.
Parents may find it challenging to communicate and remain close with teens during their formational years. Though it may be difficult at times, we still want to support kids through their emotional and physical changes. One of the most helpful things parents can do is to continually educate their kids about the transformations they will experience, and help to accept and normalize their processes. Young children are naturally comfortable with their bodies, and open communication and comfort with your older children will help this ease persist through adolescence. Parents can also ease the potential physical discomforts of adolescence by providing nutritional, whole and organic foods and by modeling and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.
