The concept of “second puberty” appears more and more often on the Internet. Mostly girls and young women complain about it. According to them, this mysterious phenomenon is not talked about enough, but almost every second person encounters it. We tell you what science knows about the “second growing up,” together with obstetrician-gynecologist Kristina Meshkova and endocrinologist Daria Burmistrova.
What is called the “second puberty”
“Second puberty” is not a medical, but rather a media term. This is the name given to hormonal changes that supposedly occur in adult women. During the “first puberty” (puberty), the girl’s body changes: breasts and pubic hair grow, menstruation appears. It is impossible to control this process. Some people claim to experience something similar in their 20s, 30s, and even 40s. At this time they allegedly finally turn into from “girl” to “mature woman”.
How is it determined that “second puberty” has begun?
“Second puberty” goes differently for everyone. For some, this is a pleasant time of blossoming, including sexual blossoming. For some, this period brings nothing but trouble. One woman suddenly growing up by a few centimeters by age 24. The other one gains weight, which then cannot be lost for years. The third notices that her hips have become wider and her breasts have become larger. The fourth is finally giving up her baby face, and the fifth is struggling with severe cystic acne.
Some girls say that their thinking also changes: for example, before the age of 20, the thought of childbirth inspired horror, and after 25 pregnant women began to inspire. And in general, some kind of moral maturity appeared.
How science explains the “second puberty”
There are no scientific works about the “second puberty”. If you search for this term on the research portal Pubmed, nothing will come up. But this does not mean that women are making up their symptoms. The body can really change after 20 and 30 years. It’s not just hormones that are to blame.
After 20–25 years, lifestyle changes
Science has no evidence that the hormonal profile itself changes dramatically after 25 years. The only thing is, around this time reaches peak levels of the hormone estrogen. In the female body, estrogen is responsible, among other things, for appearance. For example, he helps retain moisture in the skin – thanks to this, in youth it looks resilient and elastic. Estrogen also affects hair: in pregnant women, due to increased estrogen, hair grows better and falls out less. There are also disadvantages: increased estrogen Maybe lead to fluid retention in the body. This is explained by the fact that one of the estrogens (estradiol) affects the hormone that controls water balance.
But still, in most cases, body changes are not associated with hormones. Sometimes it’s all about a banal lifestyle. After 20–25 years, active student life is replaced by a measured adult life. And with it comes sedentary work, endless tea parties with colleagues and hearty home-cooked dinners. All these new habits can also change your figure. Plus, some people give birth to children at the same time, and pregnancy is a process that affects all systems of the body and greatly changes the body. Pregnant women may experience swollen legs, stretch marks and age spots, enlarged breasts and more protruding nipples.
It can also be assumed that some changes in the body are associated with contraceptive drugs. They often begin to be taken just after 20–25 years. Side effects of oral contraceptives include what many write off as a “second puberty”: cystic acne, unexplained weight gain, swelling ankles and feet, breast enlargement. Some people have stronger (or, conversely, slower) hair growth on their body and face. Moreover, changes occur not only while the woman is taking the drug, but also when she throws his. This is also called withdrawal syndrome.
Sometimes women gain weight because some combined oral contraceptives increase their appetite. You begin to consume more calories, but at the same time you spend the same amount as you spent before taking COCs. A calorie surplus occurs and weight increases.
The first combined contraceptives actually caused weight gain—they retained fluid. But modern drugs contain 10 times less estrogen. Their effect on weight has not been confirmed in studies. Some women may actually experience an increase in appetite, so we recommend taking the drug at night and monitoring your diet.
Acne is a skin disease. Sometimes it is actually caused by a high level of male sex hormones in the blood. Combined contraceptives may increase the production of a protein that binds sex hormones in the liver. This protein binds active testosterone, making it inactive. Because of this, there are fewer rashes. But after stopping the drug, everything returns to how it was before taking it. At the same time, there are contraceptives that can slightly increase the production of male sex hormones. These, on the contrary, provoke acne.
After 40–45 years, perimenopause may occur
“Perimenopause” called transition to menopause – complete cessation of menstruation. This period Maybe last for months and even years. On average it takes four years. For some women it begins at age 45, while for others after 40. The most obvious symptom is that the menstrual cycle becomes irregular. But there are others.
The body may change. Some people experience subcutaneous fat during perimenopause moves from the hips to the abdominal area. Because of this, your figure and clothing size may change.
How and where adipose tissue is located is genetically programmed. But with age, again, some people gain weight if they eat too many calories. Plus, if there is not enough physical activity, muscle mass decreases. And because of these two factors, subcutaneous fat tissue is redistributed.
Breasts also change with age. This is due to an increase in the amount of adipose tissue and a decrease in glandular tissue. The shape of the breast may change due to stretching of the supporting ligaments and skin. Also, breast size may become smaller due to a decrease in the amount of the glandular component (this is how estrogen deficiency affects it).
Sweating appears. For sudden flushes of heat in the body and heavy sweating (especially at night) complain 35–50% women. Some just feel a slight warmth, others literally become wet.
The vagina becomes dry. This happens because is decreasing level of the hormone estrogen (it helps create epithelial cells in the vagina and cervix). Its deficiency leads to thinning of the vaginal epithelium and a decrease in the amount of discharge. When the vagina gets dry, arise itching and discomfort, it becomes painful to have sex. Urination may also be impaired.
Menopause usually occurs after 45
When perimenopause passes, the next stage begins – menopause. The level of female sex hormones continues to fall, and menstruation stop fully.
Menopause is the last menstruation in a woman’s life. The period after it is called postmenopausal. The average age of menopause in Russia is 49–51 years.
Menopause has its own characteristics that affect a woman’s body and well-being.
Skin changes. Due to decreased hormone levels, the level of the building protein collagen decreases. The skin thins, becomes flabby and dry. Age spots also appear on it (especially if the woman sunbathed a lot and did not use Sunscreen) and wrinkles.
Hair changes. On the face (on the chin and above the lip) becomes more, but on the head, on the contrary, less – the parting widens. A drop in the level of female hormones and an increase in the amount of male hormones is also to blame for this.
Weight is growing.
In the year before and two years after her last menstrual period, a woman loses approximately 10% of her bone mass. Also, due to a less active lifestyle, the amount of muscle tissue decreases, while the percentage of fat tissue, on the contrary, increases. Losing muscle mass slows down your metabolic rate. This process can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. If you continue to eat as usual and do not increase physical activity, your weight will most likely increase.
Cellulite may appear. Low estrogen levels reduces vascular tone. They become more permeable. Because of this, microcirculation in the subcutaneous tissue is disrupted and swelling occurs. And with low estrogen, the skin becomes less important building proteins – collagen and elastin. Because of this, the skin becomes less firm and elastic, which also contributes to cellulite. Plus, again, as a woman ages, she loses muscle mass.
The brain works worse. Some women describe unpleasant memory-related symptoms: forgetfulness, difficulty remembering words, and “brain fog.” Therefore, at this time it is especially important to take care of the body: get enough sleep, move enough and not smoke.
Mood decreases. Mood swings are common during menopause. Some women become more anxious, others more irritable, and others develop depression. This happens both because of hormones and because of other symptoms of menopause (which are also not very pleasant).
What’s the result?
There really is no “second puberty”. Science says so. If you notice any changes in your health or appearance, consider whether they are related to hormones, medications, or lifestyle changes. If it’s difficult to understand, go to the doctor just in case.