Adolescent Sexual Development

The period of time in life when individuals become sexually mature and develop secondary sex characteristics.

The physical features of adult men and women that result from adult levels of sex steroid hormones.

Hormones that permanently affect the structure of cells, tissues, and organs.

Hormones that cause temporary changes in physiology and behavior.

The part of the brain that regulates the gonads.

Hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the pituitary to release gonadotropins.

Hormones produced by the pituitary gland that stimulate the ovaries and testes.

Sex hormones produced by the ovaries and testes.

Gender identity is how someone feels about their gender. It's about how they see themselves, not what they were assigned at birth.

A person's sense of being male or female impacts how they view themselves and provides an important basis for their interactions with others.

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or gender expression doesn't align with what they were assigned at birth.

Some who do not identify as either male or female prefer the term “gender nonbinary” or “genderqueer.”

Sexual orientation is about who you're attracted to emotionally, romantically, and sexually.

It also refers to a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and belonging within a community.

Heteronormativity assumes that heterosexuality is the norm and that male/female differences and gender roles are natural and unchanging.

It's a way of thinking that often ignores and marginalizes LGBTQ+ people.

The process of developing physical characteristics associated with being male or female.

Individuals whose gender identity does not align with their assigned sex at birth.

The age at which an individual first engages in sexual intercourse.

A category of mental health conditions that involve impulsive behaviors, often resulting in harm to oneself or others.

A set of infections primarily spread through sexual contact, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.

A pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others that is considered enduring and stable over time.

The idea that gender identity exists on a spectrum, not just as distinct categories.

The tendency to be sexually attracted to the opposite sex.

The tendency to be sexually attracted to the same sex.

The tendency to be sexually attracted to more than one gender.

People who experience sexual attraction to both men and women, but might not identify as exclusively bisexual.

The stability of sexual orientation, particularly attraction, can vary with age and life experiences.

Sexual behavior is not always consistent with attraction or identity.

Understanding sexual orientation in adolescents is crucial for supporting their well-being and development.

A person's attitudes, desires, and behaviors regarding sexual activity outside of committed relationships, measured on a spectrum ranging from unwilling/restricted to willing/unrestricted.

The degree to which an individual finds sexual experiences enjoyable.

A strong correlation exists between sociosexual orientation and erotophilia, but they are distinct aspects of sexuality.

Teen boys tend to exhibit higher scores in unrestricted sociosexuality and erotophilia when compared to teen girls.

Individuals whose sexual behavior is exclusively heterosexual may still change during adolescence and adulthood.

Individuals whose sexual behavior is exclusively homosexual may also change towards bi- or heterosexual behavior.

Strong attachment to the same-sex parent predicts a more restricted sociosexual orientation in teenagers.

A significant portion of teens aged 17-19 have not yet had sexual experiences.

The brain area associated with decision-making. Damage to this area can lead to impulsive and risky decisions.

A condition characterized by early onset of puberty. It can increase the risk of certain health issues in both boys and girls.

The onset of menstruation in girls. Early menarche has been linked to increased risk of certain health problems like depression and overweight.

Conditions affecting the development of sexual characteristics in a person. These can involve chromosomes, genes, hormones, and the body's response to them.

A genetic condition affecting males, characterized by an extra X chromosome (XXY). It can lead to infertility but usually doesn't affect puberty.

A genetic condition affecting females, characterized by a missing or incomplete second X chromosome (X0). It causes infertility and can impact overall development.

A genetic condition causing a malfunction in the production of certain hormones needed for normal sexual development. It can lead to masculinization of females and early puberty.

A condition where the body doesn't respond to male hormones (androgens). This leads to female external genitalia despite having an XY chromosome and internal testes.