SYNOPSYS

PUBERTY: SOME DISCUSSION SYNOPSIS


Puberty is the time in our lives when our sexual reproductive organs mature. This means our bodies become capable of making babies. Long before any outward changes happen, special hormones begin to be produced inside the bodies of both girls and boys. Hormones are substances in our bodies that affect the working of many different parts of our bodies, including our sexual development and our growth.


Puberty often begins at about 10 years of age, but you can't see any outward signs then. Physical changes become more obvious at about 13 - 16 years for most boys and about 11 - 14 for most girls. Along with the physical changes come emotional changes. We also start to think differently. All in all, there are quite a few major changes to deal with during puberty.

PHYSICAL CHANGES: GENERAL

Questions young people asked us about puberty

Q. "What age does puberty come?" - 13 year old boy.

- There is a wide variation in when people go through puberty and in how long it lasts. The first signs of puberty in a boy can show anytime from 9 to 15 years of age, when he starts to grow taller (the ‘growth spurt’). Later the testicles and penis begin to grow larger. In girls the first sign of puberty is often the beginning of breast growth and starting to grow taller, which can happen anytime from 8 - 14 years of age.

Q. "How can you tell if you're going through puberty?" - 13 year old student.

Puberty begins in our bodies when the special hormones begin to be produced. At this stage you don't know anything is changing because nothing seems different on the outside. Later, some of the signs that you are going through puberty include a growth spurt, changes to genitals, changes to breasts, oily skin, under-arm perspiration as well as growing body hair.

Q. "Should you be embarrassed if you have hairs under your arms at an early age?" - 12 year old student.

No-one should be embarrassed about any of these changes, but people going through puberty earlier than their friends may feel embarrassed or possibly very pleased by these signs that they are becoming an adult. You'll mature when the time is right for you. If kids at school are teasing you, make light of it, but if it becomes upsetting or you feel that you're being harassed, talk to your teacher or school counsellor.

BOYS: -PHYSICAL CHANGES:

You'll get taller and stronger and start to develop greater muscle mass. Your testicles and penis size increase. It's common and normal for one testicle to be bigger than the other. Some young men worry about their penis size, but the ability to make love and to father children does not depend on penis size. If you're worried, have a chat to a doctor or health professional.

Body hair begins to grow around the pubic area, on legs, under arms and on the face. The hair starts off fine and becomes coarser and darker over the years of puberty. Some men continue to grow a bit and develop more body hair right into their twenties.

Skin on the face, shoulders and back becomes oilier, often causing some acne. See our topic on Acne.

Hair can become oilier and you may need to wash it more often.
Sweat glands become more active and make sweat which smells different from the sweat children's bodies make. This can mean 'body odour'. To reduce the smell wash daily and use a deodorant.

In puberty the voice becomes deeper, sometimes called 'voice breaking' because of the ups and downs in tones. (Nothing 'breaks' - it is because the voice box (the larynx) gets bigger).

'Nocturnal emissions' or wet dreams can happen in your sleep. Wet dreams are an ejaculation of semen - not urine - that has dampened your sheets or pyjamas. These are normal, and they cannot be controlled or stopped.
Sometimes erections can happen because you're nervous or excited, or just for no reason at all, and can make you feel embarrassed. Other people usually don't notice them as much you do and they go away within minutes.

Some boys' breasts may grow slightly or feel tender. This is also normal and is a reaction to hormones in the body. This will go away.

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GIRLS: PHYSICAL CHANGES:

You'll grow taller, your hips widen and your body becomes curvier.
Breasts begin to form - the first stage is called "budding". The breasts are sometimes different sizes. This is normal. If you are worried, see a doctor or other health professional.
Hair begins to grow around the pubic area and underarms, while hair on the legs and arms darkens.

Skin on the face, shoulders and back becomes oilier, often causing some acne. See our topic on “Acne”.
Hair can become oilier and you may need to wash it more often.

Sweat glands become more active and make sweat which smells different from the sweat children's bodies make. This can mean 'body odour'. To reduce the smell wash daily and use a eodorant.
You may start to get a whitish discharge from the vagina. This is normal so long as there is no pain or itching around or in the vagina. If there is itching or pain, check with your doctor as some young women get an infection called vaginal thrush. This is not common during puberty.
Menstrual periods start often around 12 months after the first physical signs of puberty. See our topic Periods for more information.

Questions about menstrual periods:

Q. When you have periods, how often do they come? - 13 year old student.

Periods can be irregular in how often they happen and how long they last, especially in the first year. Usually things will settle down and periods will then come about once every three to five weeks.

Q. How do you know when you are going to get your period? - 12 year old student.

You can't tell for sure exactly when you'll get your period in the first year or so, but after this periods usually come fairly regularly. It can be useful to mark on a calendar when each period started. This can help you to know when your next period is likely to happen. Some women get a period pain or cramp in the lower abdomen that tells them that a period will be happening soon. Usually your period will start off lightly giving you plenty of time to get to the bathroom. You may notice you feel damp or wet. Carry a sanitary napkin (pad) with you for emergencies.