Puberty kind of sneaks up on you. Maybe it starts with the hair, or you begin to feel like maybe you need a bra. While everyone goes through it, the signs of puberty you experience may be different or happen earlier and later than people you know. Puberty is a stage of development in your body from kid to adult. Female puberty happens when your body starts producing hormones that wake up your ovaries.

Breast development happens in certain stages during a woman's life: first before birth, again at puberty, and later during the childbearing years. Changes also happen to the breasts during the menstrual cycle and when a woman reaches menopause. This starts with a thickening in the chest area called the mammary ridge or milk line.

Puberty can be a confusing and stressful time for adolescent girls. What can you expect your daughter to go through? Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.