Testosterone, oestrogen and pubertySpec 16.5.1
At puberty, the body changes and becomes able to reproduce. These changes are controlled by sex hormones. Testosterone is made in the testes. Oestrogen is made in the ovaries.
The hormones cause the development of secondary sexual characteristics. They also regulate them once they have developed.
| Hormone | Secondary sexual characteristics |
|---|---|
| Testosterone (boys) | Growth of facial hair, pubic hair and underarm hair; voice deepens; muscles develop; testes and penis grow; sperm production begins |
| Oestrogen (girls) | Breasts develop; pubic hair and underarm hair grow; hips widen; the menstrual cycle begins and eggs are released from the ovaries |
Exam tip:
Name the hormone and the organ that makes it: testosterone from the testes, oestrogen from the ovaries. Do not say 'male hormone' on its own.