Puberty is a natural process of physical and psychological changes that occur in adolescents as they transition from childhood to adulthood. It is typically characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as the growth of breasts and the onset of menstruation in girls, and the deepening of the voice and the growth of facial hair in boys. Hormonal changes during puberty also lead to emotional and behavioral changes, as well as growth spurts and changes in body composition. Puberty usually begins around the ages of 8-13 in girls and 9-14 in boys, and can last for several years until the individual reaches full physical and sexual maturity.