What is puberty? What’s going to happen to me?
Puberty is a time of transition for the body. It is the time when a girl physically begins to change into a young woman, and when a boy physically begins to change into a young man. The body is changing from childhood to adulthood. Puberty signals the start of the body’s capability for reproduction. During puberty, when your body is developing in some new ways, both boys and girls get taller and gain weight. Body hair begins to grow in the pubic area, and under the arms, and becomes thicker on the legs. Boys begin to grow facial hair and their voices deepen. Girls begin to develop breasts and menstruation starts. Sweat glands also start to produce more moisture, making body odor a problem. Personal hygiene, including using an underarm deodorant, becomes very important.

When does puberty (the time the body begins to grow into adulthood) start? Why have some of my friends started developing before me?
The ages for the onset of puberty differ, but it tends to begin in girls between ages 9-15 and in boys between ages 10-16. It isn’t an exact moment, but a time span when a number of body changes begin to occur. There is no such thing as the right time to begin. Everyone’s body is different and matures at its own pace. Sometimes it can be hard to be either less or more physically mature than your friends. But eventually, it all evens out, and the most important thing to remember is that every person deserves respect. You are all in the processing of becoming an adult - which is a pretty awesome thing!

What causes the onset of puberty?
The pituitary gland, located in the brain, is responsible for releasing hormones, chemical messages that cause the body to develop in specific ways. The pituitary gland is like a mini clock that operates on its own schedule, and so each person’s body develops at its own pace. Heredity is an important factor in determining when you begin puberty. Often you will develop around the same age that your parents did. There are other factors that affect the start of puberty, including nutrition and weight (for example, underweight girls tend to begin menstruating later than girls of average weight or those who are overweight).

What’s with the hormones?
The graph on the left illustrates the constant hormone level men experience (Freddy Steady) contrasted with changing hormone levels women experience during the course of their menstrual cycles (Rola Koaster). This graph illustrates the feedback between the hormones from the woman’s brain and her ovaries.

More about hormones and ovulation

When will I start to grow?
Boys and girls often notice a significant growth spurt before or around the time of puberty. Since puberty begins earlier for girls than boys, girls usually experience their growth spurt before boys of the same age, and in middle school, girls may be taller than the boys.

(Often this question has more to do with what your child’s friends are doing. You might want to reassure your child that every child has his or her own time clock for growing.)

How tall will I be?
Good question. Height has a lot to do with genetics such as how tall your parents are, when puberty begins, and how long your growth spurt lasts. If you come from a family of short people, you shouldn’t expect to be tall but sometimes it happens. There is no way to determine how tall you will be. Children grow at different rates. For example, the tallest girl in the seventh grade class may have reached her height and her “short” friends may not have started really growing until early high school.

More about height

When will my feet stop growing?
Often one of the first signs of puberty is lots of trips to the shoe store! Feet may start growing before you begin your growth spurt in height, but they often quit growing (or slow down considerably) while you are still growing taller.

Why is my face breaking out?
Often, pimples or acne, occur during puberty. There are several factors that contribute to this. One is heredity; your parents pass on their skin types to you. Another is bacteria that live around hair follicles. As hormone levels change, acne flare-ups become more likely. Dirt, oil, sweat, and friction or irritation can play a role in the appearance of acne, as can certain foods for food-sensitive people. To deal with acne, wash your face gently twice a day. Don’t pick at pimples. Good hygiene is important, as is proper nutrition, and drinking plenty of water. You may want to try an over-the-counter acne product, or, if those don’t seem to work, you can consult a health care provider.

FOR GIRLS:

Why do some girls have bigger breasts than others?
Breast size is very much determined by heredity. There is no “normal” breast size. Most girls will be fully developed by about age 17. It is also common for one breast to be slightly larger than the other. Breast size has nothing to do with a woman’s ability to breastfeed a child or her sexuality.

How does the female body make eggs? What does ovulation mean?
All females are born with millions of eggs, or ova, in each of two ovaries. The eggs don’t begin to develop until puberty. Each month after the start of menstruation, an ovary releases one mature egg in a process called ovulation. If there are multiple ovulations, they will occur within a 24 hour time span. Mature egg cells only live 12-24 hours.

What does “getting your period” mean?
Menstruation or the menstrual period, the periodic shedding of the uterine lining, happens at the end of the menstrual cycle. Several things happen during the menstrual cycle which are related to an interplay with various female hormones. Each month, a woman’s body releases an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation), and the lining of the woman’s uterus becomes thick and soft with blood and tissue. If the egg is not fertilized by a man’s sperm (also known as conception), the body sheds the uterine lining through the vagina about 1 to 2 weeks after ovulation. The menstrual period usually lasts 3 to 7 days. Usually, shortly after her menstrual period occurs, a woman’s body again prepares for ovulation and the sequence occurs again.

A girl’s very first period, also called “menarche,” usually happens 1 to 1½ years after her breasts start developing. Menstruation is one of the more noticeable events of puberty for girls. At first her periods may not occur monthly. After the hormone pattern has become established, most women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding have periods about once a month until they reach menopause (late 40’s or early 50’s). A woman is considered to be in menopause when she has gone one year without a menstrual period. At menopause, a woman can no longer become pregnant.

Some women notice some mild discomfort associated with their period. If the pain is severe or prolonged, or the bleeding is very heavy, you should check with a health care provider.

When will I start having “periods?”
Your periods will begin as soon as your body matures enough for the brain to signal the reproductive organs for menstrual cycles to begin.

Will I know ahead of time that I'm going to start my period?
Usually during the first several years, the periods are irregular. There may be a sign such as a normal vaginal discharge between periods after which the period will begin from 7-12 days later. Some girls notice discomfort before their periods begin or other mood changes.

Does menstrual blood and urine come out of the same opening?
No. This is a common misconception. During menstruation, fluid leaves the body through the vagina. When you urinate, fluid leaves through the urethra, a very small opening in front of the vaginal opening.

If you miss your period, does that mean you’re pregnant?
No. There are other reasons for your menstrual period to be delayed such as stress or illness. In the case of a young woman, her periods may be irregular for several years. If a woman has not had any sexual contact in which there was the exchange of bodily fluid, she wouldn’t be pregnant.

How do I know what products to use for menstrual fluid?
There are several products available which help absorb menstrual flow. You may choose to use pads or sanitary napkins which are worn outside of the body and attach to your underwear. Or you may choose to use tampons, which are worn inside the vagina and absorb menstrual flow. Both pads and tampons have to be changed several times during the day and the used items thrown away or disposed of properly. Talk to your mom, your family doctor, or a trusted adult if you aren’t sure what might be best for you.

Can I go swimming or exercise during my period?
You can do everything while menstruating that you can do while you are not having your period. In fact, if you experience cramping, exercise may make you feel better. If you choose to wear a tampon, you can even go swimming.

If I use a tampon, will I still be a virgin?
Yes. A virgin is someone who has not had sex. Although there is a natural membrane called the hymen that is found over the vaginal opening, girls usually have a small natural opening that allows for menstrual fluid to leave the body and is large enough for a tampon to fit in.

Are tampons dangerous?
No, not if used properly. Read the instructions on the tampon box before using them and make sure you use the lowest absorbency needed for your flow. It is very important to change your tampon regularly. Tampons cannot get “lost” in your body and do not cause cancer. For signs and symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndromes check here: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/toxicshock_t.htm

What is PMS?
PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is a group of symptoms that some women experience for a week or two before their periods and may extend during the time of the menstrual period. These symptoms occur along with hormone changes and can include feeling bloated, cramps, tension, anxiety, sensitive skin, food cravings, headaches, tiredness, depression, mood swings, and outbursts of temper. Symptoms vary for each person. Proper diet, vitamin/mineral supplements, and exercise as well as some mild pain relievers may help relieve discomfort. Severe symptoms should be evaluated by a health care provider.

How can I stop having cramps?
The uterus is a muscle and when it releases the lining during menstruations, it contracts. Some women experience abdominal pain because of these contractions. Exercising and stretching can help relieve the tension. Using a heating pad, or taking ibuprofen can also help ease pain. If cramping is severe, or if no other methods seem to help, consult your health care provider.

FOR BOYS:

What happens to boys during puberty?
Between ages 10 and 16, the body begins releasing the male sex hormone testosterone, which causes physical changes like weight gain, hair growth, and the broadening of shoulders. Hair will get thicker on the legs, and will begin to grow on the face, under the arms, in the pubic area, and sometimes on the chest. The penis and testicles grow larger and sperm production begins.

What is an average penis size?
An average penis is between 4 to 6 inches in length when erect. Penis size does not determine sexual satisfaction or fertility.

What are sperm? Can you see them?
Sperm are the male reproductive cell. When one sperm joins with a female egg cell a pregnancy occurs. Sperm are produced by the millions in the testicles and are absorbed by the body if they are not ejaculated. Sperm are so small that several million could fit on the head of a pin! Boys begin producing sperm during puberty and will continue to produce them for the rest of their lives.

What are testicles?
Testicles are small, ball-shaped organs inside the scrotum, a sac-like structure of skin and muscle that hangs below the penis. The testicles are where sperm develops.

Is it normal for one testicle to be bigger or to hang lower in the scrotum than the other?
Yes, one testicle may hang lower than the other. This is a way that the body has to protect the testicles from being painfully pressed together. If one or both of the testicles has not descended into the scrotum, a doctor should correct the situation.

What is a wet dream?
This is a natural part of growing up and happens when a man’s body releases semen during sleep. It is also known as nocturnal emission.

Does an ejaculation happen with every erection?
No.

Does urine get into the semen?
No. There is a valve below the bladder that prevents the semen and urine mixing.

Why do my nipples feel sore?
During puberty, some boys experience “breast budding” where one or both breasts grow a little and become sore. This is completely normal and will usually disappear after a short while.