Puberty: Everything you want to know
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What Is Puberty?
Puberty is the time when a person’s body starts to change from being the body of a child to the body of an adult, and when their reproductive organs begin to mature. These changes can affect the way a person looks, feels and thinks. Some people find the changes confusing, strange and uncomfortable, while others think they feel great. Puberty is different for everybody.
Puberty usually begins between the ages of 9 and 16. Most girls will notice their bodies starting to change around the age of 10 or 11, while most boys begin puberty around the age of 12 or 13. Everybody is different however, so don’t be alarmed if you notice changes earlier or later than this. You might find it useful to know when your mum, dad or siblings went through puberty, as you may be similar to them in this way.
What Happens At Puberty?
Both boys and girls go though physical and emotional changes at puberty caused by hormones. This happens when the pituitary gland at the base of the brain triggers your reproductive organs (testes for boys, ovaries for girls) into producing hormones. The main male hormone is called testosterone and the main female hormones are called oestrogen and progesterone.
Puberty is a sign that your body is becoming physically ready to create a baby, even though being a parent is probably the last thing on your mind.
It can be handy to know what’s happening to girls at puberty if you are a boy, and to boys if you are a girl. Everyone experiences some changes – in fact, some changes happen to both boys and girls.
Puberty Changes For Girls And Boys
Hair in new places
Boys may grow hair on their genital area, underarms, forearms, chest, face, legs and nipples at puberty, while girls can get hair on their genital area, underarms, forearms, upper lip, nipples and legs. There are many safe ways of removing unwanted hair, including shaving, waxing, tweezing or using hair removal creams.
Not another pimple!
At puberty the glands which cause pimples become more active, and many boys and girls develop pimples or acne on their face and other parts of their body, such as the back and chest. Washing your face twice a day with an antibacterial face wash can help, along with having a healthy diet and wearing less make-up. Medication is available for severe conditions – see your doctor for more information. Try not to touch or squeeze your pimples, as this can make them worse.
Is it OK to masturbate?
Touching or rubbing the genital area so that it feels good is called masturbation. Most people masturbate and it isn’t something to feel guilty about. As long as it is done in private, masturbation is a normal and healthy way of experiencing pleasure and learning about your body.
My body shape is changing
Girls hips usually widen and their thighs become more rounded at puberty, while boys shoulders and chests get wider. Some people get stretch marks, which fade over time. Often people want to be super-slim, but it’s more important to be healthy and eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.
I’ve got the puberty blues
Not all changes at puberty are physical ones. Your hormones are also changing, which may cause you to feel happy and excited one moment, then sad or angry the next. The changes that are happening to your body can also leave you feeling confused, frustrated or anxious.
You may feel easily irritated by friends and family (especially your parents!). Remember you’re not the only one feeling like this, and it can help to talk to someone you trust about your feelings.
A sweaty situation
The hormones developing at puberty can also affect sweat glands, and you will need to take extra care with your personal hygiene at this time. Shower regularly, washing yourself thoroughly, and use antiperspirant deodorant, especially if playing sport.
Girl’s Stuff
Periods explained
Periods are part of the menstrual cycle. They are caused by the changes in a girl’s body that happen when an egg is released and the body prepares for a possible pregnancy.
This preparation happens when the lining of the uterus (womb) becomes thick with blood. If a pregnancy doesn’t occur, the blood-thick lining breaks down and is passed out of the body through the vagina. This bleeding is called a period.
Most menstrual cycles last for around 1 month (from the first day of one period to the first day of the next). A period usually lasts for 3 to 7 days with around 2 tablespoons of blood lost.
Most girls start to have periods between the ages of 10 and 14. To begin with, periods can be very irregular, but they usually settle into a pattern after the first year or so (you can use a calendar to help work out when your period is due next).
Some girls feel fine when they have their period, while others feel a bit sick or sore in the lower tummy, sometimes with cramps. Taking a mild painkiller and exercising can help.
Unless you choose to tell them, other people won’t know when you’ve got your period.
PMS
PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, affects some girls in the week leading up to their period. You may feel tired or irritable, or your breasts may be sore. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help with PMS.
Pad and tampons
Pads and tampons are used to absorb period blood. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are available from supermarkets and pharmacies. Pads have a sticky strip on the back that attaches to the inside of your knickers, while tampons are inserted into the vagina with the string hanging out (they can’t slip out accidentally or get lost inside you).
Some girls prefer tampons so they can continue to swim or wear tight-fitting clothing during their period, but they can be a bit tricky to use at first.
Pads and tampons need changing about every 4 hours, as leaving tampons in the vagina for a long time can lead to infection (there are special night-time pads). When you have finished with your pad or tampon, wrap them in toilet paper and put them in a sanitary or rubbish bin (don’t flush them down the toilet as it blocks up the pipes).
In case your period comes when you’re at school or out with friends, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and carry some pads or tampons in your bag. In an emergency situation toilet paper or tissues can be used (wrap them around the crutch of your knickers).
Breasts
All girls develop breasts during puberty. Breasts come in all different sizes, so don’t worry if yours seem larger or smaller than anyone else’s. It is also quite normal for your own two breasts to be slightly different sizes. Wearing a loose T-shirt can help if you feel embarrassed.
Is my vagina normal?
At puberty girls start to produce vaginal secretions. These secretions, or discharge, vary during the menstrual cycle and are part of a normal, healthy vagina. Usually discharge is whitish, drying yellowish on underwear, and varying in amount throughout the cycle. It has a slight (but not bad) smell unnoticeable to you or others if you wash regularly.
If you notice your discharge is different from usual (such as heavier, or with a different or unpleasant smell), see a doctor, as this can indicate an infection. The vagina is very sensitive. Avoid irritation by using plain water or a soap-free wash to bathe the area, rather than soap or antiseptics, and don’t use perfumes, deodorants or talcs on the genital area.
Boy’s Stuff
Sperm
At puberty a boy’s testicles become larger and begin to produce sperm (the male reproductive cells), which then mixes with a whitish fluid called semen. Ejaculation, or ‘cumming’, is when semen (about 1 teaspoon) comes out of an erect penis.
Sweet dreams
A wet dream is when a boy ejaculates (or ‘cums’) while he is asleep. These types of dreams may bring pleasurable feelings and happen because sometimes there is too much sperm made in the testes and your body needs to release it.
Your sheets and pyjamas may be slightly sticky when you wake up and can usually be cleaned up with a wet cloth or by putting things into the wash. Wet dreams usually happen less frequently as you get older.
Embarrassing erections
When a boy reaches puberty he may experience more frequent erections (when the penis swells and gets hard). Sometimes erections happen for no obvious reason. Thinking about something really boring can help make erections go away. Some boys prefer to wear clothing that makes erections less noticeable, such as baggy shorts.
Help! I’ve broken my voice!
At puberty a boy’s voice changes and becomes deeper –
this is usually known as the voice breaking. This is a gradual process and means that a boy’s voice may alternate between high and squeaky and deep and throaty while his voice box grows and vocal cords stretch. A boy’s voice usually ‘breaks’ between the ages of 13 and 16 before eventually settling down.
What the...I’m growing breasts?!
Many boys develop some breast enlargement, or swelling in the chest area, during puberty. This is normal and nothing to worry about. The swelling usually lasts for 4-6 months. Wearing a loose t-shirt can help if you feel embarrassed.
Liking The New You
While everyone’s experience at puberty is different, the most important thing to remember is that it doesn’t last forever!
Talking about any problems you are having can help, whether it be with a parent, teacher, school nurse, counsellor or friend. Remember you’re not alone in having problems or feeling confused.
Finding ways of expressing yourself and doing things that make you happy can help make puberty easier. These may include playing a sport, finding a hobby you like, or going out with friends.
For some people puberty is a time of discovering new types of relationships, with guys or girls or both. Check out FPWA’s ‘Relationships’ brochure for more information.
Learning to like your new adult body will help you to be happy and healthy with who you are.
Page last updated Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:44
