Puberty
Puberty
Puberty is the word used to describe all the changes that begin happening to your body from the age of about 12. Puberty can start earlier or later than this and it usually starts a bit later in boys than in girls.
These changes are controlled by hormones. These are tiny chemical messengers within your blood. Puberty starts when extra amounts of chemicals called hormones start to be produced in the body and these hormones guide the changes that take place in the body. As well as causing physical changes these hormones also cause emotional changes.
What’s normal?
It’s different for everyone, and there is no right time when this should happen to you. Don’t worry if your body is changing faster or slower than your mates.
Changes to our bodies
The changes that go on turn us from girls into young women. You'll see the physical changes as you quickly grow taller, your hips will get wider and rounder and breasts start to develop. Hair, often called pubic hair, will start to grow under your arms and on your vulva (another word for genitals) and you will start your period. During puberty the body starts to sweat more, so you need to wash more often and you may get spots as your skin gets oilier.
Sexual feelings and masturbation
Sexual feelings can get stronger during puberty. It’s totally normal to feel aroused (sexually excited) and you might feel like masturbating. Women usually masturbate by rubbing their clitoris with their fingers. Some women enjoy using sex toys, such as a vibrator, which she will insert in to her vagina. There are quite a few myths about masturbation being harmful, but none of them are true. In fact, masturbation may even be good for your health, as it can be a good way to get rid of stress! And it can also be a way to find out about sexual feelings, your body, and what feels good.
Emotional changes
It’s not just physical changes that take place during puberty - you might also get more moody.
Do you ever get the feeling that you don't want to talk to anyone, or that people are really annoying you without having to do anything? You might feel angry, or sad, or may just want to hide away.
Both the changes to your body and emotional changes are caused by hormones (chemical messengers) in the blood. So, if you are finding it hard to get on with people at the moment, it could be your hormones. But just remember, it can be hard for other people to know how to treat you when you are going through puberty, so try to help them understand what you are going through if you can.
Body Changes