Growth is a lifelong developmental process that involves behavioral, physical, emotional and cognitive changes. Puberty is within the growth brackets but characterized by a lot of emotional and body physical changes for girls as they usher in adulthood. Another distinguishing factor of puberty is that it is time bound. Although puberty starts and finishes at different times for everyone, for girls it usually starts between 8 -13 years of age. It is triggered by hormones that are produced in the ovaries and brain.

Growing Patterns for Girls

When do girls stop growing is one question that has no definite answer. From infant to childhood and later adulthood, the growth spurt period recognized for girls is quick and escalates at puberty. The following are signs of what happens.

1. Height increase

A girl's height increases during puberty. They tend to reach their maximum height one to two years after their first menstruation. The increase in height is affected by biological conditions, hormonal imbalances, nutrition, and medications (details will be discussed later in this article).

At what age do girls stop growing? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives 13.8 inches as the height growth stretch for an average twenty-year-old girl. Meaning by age 20, most of the girls will have reached their exponential growth (although there are some outliers). What is surprising is that between age 8-13, the usual onset of puberty spurt growth, most girls will be about 50 inches tall, but will gain 13.8 inches in height within a very short time. Actually, one of the biggest growth changes that girls will ever register in their life happens at puberty.

2. Breast formation (Thelarche)

Breast formation, also known as breast budding, starts mostly at ages 8-10 years. There are cases where these buds appear much earlier or later. These bumps (buds) will develop into breasts that are filled with fatty tissues and mammary glands.

Breast development might sometimes seem abnormal in situations where one bump develops before the other and can even be mistaken for a cyst or tumor. A girl might feel very uncomfortable during this stage when sleeping on their bellies, or when if classmates make fun of their new condition. Parents should encourage their daughters to realize that those breast buds are normal.

As a girl, when do you stop growing? Breast development can continue up to the age of 18 years but their condition will keep on changing for life depending on pregnancy, menstrual cycle, dieting, and lastly menopause.

3. Menstruation

Menstruation is like the climax of a girl's puberty growth. It happens as a result of egg production by one of the two ovaries. If no sperm is introduced by way of sex, the uterine wall tissues that are building to receive the fertilized egg, plus the unfertilized egg itself, are expelled through the vagina as menstruation.

Menstruation/periods are supposed to occur every month. But at that initial stage, the flow might not be regular. After that very first flow, months might elapse without happening again. That should not be a reason to worry. Generally, periods become regular after two years at most.

Note: One to four years after breast budding, menstruation begins. When parents notice the budding process begin, they need to keep their daughters posted about the ovulation process that is around the corner. This helps avoid shocking moments that some girls experience when they see their first period.

What Are the Factors that Affect Girls' Growth?

Guardians and parents wonder what age do girls stop growing? Accelerated growth kicks off at 8-13 years which is the onset of puberty and usually stops almost six years later. There is no specific age or time. It depends on the following;

• Nutrition

Body development depends on the kind of diet one receives. The right kind of nutrition is made up of proper vitamins, minerals, and proteins. A balanced diet that is less in saturated fats, sodium, and sugars is recommended. If a child is poorly fed, their growth rate will be slowed, but if feeding improves, a girl's grown will usually catch up before adulthood.

• Genetics

For the record, no matter what kind of dieting a girl is subjected to, their growth in height, IQ, body structure, and bone formation is genetically predetermined. All that diet does is slow or help in proper growth. Growth pattern in children is determined by their genes/DNA. Traits that a child will exhibit are received equally from both parents.

• Physical exercise

Physical exercises like sport are vital for bone formation/development. With enough exercise, do not worry about when do girls stop growing. A girl will have good blood flow and calorie burning that will avoid unproportioned body growth or obesity that hinders proper growth. Every girl needs exercise to streamline their body formation for good growth.

• Environmental factors

The kind of environmental and surrounding conditions that a girl will be subjected to can greatly affect their growth and development. A mild climate and friendly social-cultural environment can positively affect growth.

Take Home Message

In spite of all the above-mentioned guidelines on girl child growth, no one can tell how tall a girl will be, nor at what age a girl's growth will start or stop. The only thing that parents or guardians can do is to provide the named necessities for good growth. If they have a concern about their child's growth, they should immediately consult a doctor.