Women often undergo significant bodily changes well beyond their teenage years, particularly in their late twenties and thirties, a period some experts refer to as ‘second puberty’. Meera Bhogal, a women’s health coach specialising in female wellness, explains that while not a formal medical diagnosis, this phase encompasses various physical and hormonal transformations occurring between initial puberty and menopause.
According to Meera, many women are unaware of these shifts, which can include alterations in metabolism, hormones, skin, weight, breast size, and menstrual cycles. “Second puberty” provides a useful term for women to articulate these experiences, which until recently lacked a clear vocabulary. These changes are influenced by numerous factors such as genetics, hormonal contraception, pregnancy, lifestyle habits, nutrition, exercise, and stress levels.
The lack of traditional recognition for this life stage contributes to its low profile; unlike the well-defined biological processes of puberty and menopause, the changes in the mid-twenties to late thirties are more individualised. Women may notice changes in body composition, skin texture, and weight distribution during this time.
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These transformations can extend beyond the physical, impacting emotional wellbeing. Research by lingerie brand Pour Moi found that nearly two-thirds of women have struggled with how their bodies have changed over time. Meera highlights that while this decade can bring increased confidence, sexual comfort, independence, career progression and a stronger sense of identity, it can also bring societal pressures relating to appearance, success, relationships and motherhood. She encourages women to shift focus from trying to regain their teenage bodies to embracing the women they are becoming, adopting a curious rather than critical view of their changing bodies. “Please don’t assume you need to lose weight just because your body looks different from when you were 18,” she adds.
Practical steps are also important as the body evolves. Emma Woodrow, lingerie expert at Pour Moi, emphasises the importance of updating one’s wardrobe to accommodate these changes. “Many women come to our fitting rooms because their bodies have changed but their bras haven’t,” she explains. Wearing the correct bra size can significantly improve support and comfort. Emma recommends professional bra fittings every six to twelve months to ensure proper fit.
Pour Moi’s research, involving 1,500 women, reveals that over a third have personally experienced this ‘second puberty’, particularly noticing changes in their bust and hips unrelated to pregnancy or normal weight fluctuations. The average age at which these changes become apparent is 28, with more than 40% of women reporting these changes felt more noticeable than those during their teenage puberty.
Overall, the majority agree that ‘second puberty’ is a genuine phenomenon that has not received sufficient attention. Open discussion and acknowledgement can help women navigate this phase more confidently and access the support they need.