At a 12-year-old's annual checkup, which pubertal change will begin next?

At a 12-year-old's annual checkup, which pubertal change will begin next?

• A. The penis will grow in length
• B. Changes in voice will occur
• C. The penis will grow in width
• D. Facial hair will appear

Answer: (A)

In male puberty, the sequence of changes starts with the testes enlarging, and the next change typically observed is the penis growing in length. Growth in length tends to occur before growth in width, and long before more secondary features like a deeper voice or facial hair appear. So, at this stage, the next pubertal change you’d expect is an increase in penile length. Changes such as an earlier deepening of the voice or the onset of facial hair happen later in puberty, and penile width growth usually follows after length increases.

In male puberty, the sequence of changes starts with the testes enlarging, and the next change typically observed is the penis growing in length. Growth in length tends to occur before growth in width, and long before more secondary features like a deeper voice or facial hair appear. So, at this stage, the next pubertal change you’d expect is an increase in penile length. Changes such as an earlier deepening of the voice or the onset of facial hair happen later in puberty, and penile width growth usually follows after length increases.