Growth and Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years

Talk to your teen's doctor if you are concerned about your teen's health or other issues. For example, you may have concerns about your teen:

• Having a significant delay in physical or sexual development, such as if sexual development has not begun by age 15.
• Becoming sexually active. Teens who are sexually active need to be educated about Reference birth control Opens New Window and Reference sexually transmitted infections Opens New Window (STIs).
• Being Reference overweight Opens New Window or underweight.
• Having severe Reference acne Opens New Window.
• Having problems with attention or learning.

Call the doctor or a mental health professional if your teen develops behavioral problems or signs of mental health problems. These may include:

• Expressing a lack of self-worth or talking about suicide.
• Reference Acting physically aggressive.
• Regularly experiencing severe mood swings, such as being happy and excited one minute and sad and depressed the next.
• A significant change in appetite, weight, or eating behaviors. These may signal an Reference eating disorder Opens New Window.
• Dropping out of school or failing classes.
• Having serious relationship problems with friends and family that affect home or school life.
• Showing a lack of interest in normal activities and withdrawing from other people.
• Seeking or having sex with multiple partners.

For more information, see the topics Reference Depression in Children and Teens, Reference Anorexia Nervosa, Reference Binge Eating Disorder, Reference Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Infections, and/or Reference Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.