Androgens are also responsible for other changes in the genitals of boys. The penis grows in length and then later in width, usually about a year before the boy reaches his peak growth rate. The developing testes produce sperm and semen relatively early in adolescence. Pubic and underarm hair develops soon after genital growth, along with the maturation of skin glands. Boys may be disturbed about the acne but reluctant to request help in managing it.
New medications can be a big help.
Facial hair usually appears about age 15, first on the upper lip, then later on the chin and in the sideburn area. In general, chest and other body hair do not develop until late adolescence or early adulthood. Growth alone will require about 3,000 calories a day for the boy, not counting the increased calories he'll need for soccer, basketball, track or other sports. Compared with girls, adolescent boys are less likely to have visits with their pediatrician. Your son's doctor can make the most of school sports and camp physical visits by assessing his growth and reassuring him about normality as well as giving other good-sense adolescent advice.