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Our bodies change from the moment we’re born and keep changing all through our lives. They change because everything that’s alive grows and changes. But sometime between ages nine and fifteen, girls and boys do more than just grow taller and bigger as they have done since birth. Girls start to grow into young women and boys into young men.
You must have wondered about what will be happening to you as your body changes during this time. Not to worry, it’s perfectly normal for you to be curious about and want to know about your changing and growing bodies. It is important to learn these facts, so you can stay healthy, take good care of yourself and make good decisions about yourself as you are growing up and for the rest of your life. Besides, learning about these things is fascinating and fun, so here goes...
When Does Puberty Start?
There is no right or exact age when puberty starts, neither is there a way to speed it up or slow it down. For most boys, the usual age is between eleven and fourteen, and nine and thirteen for most girls. No two boys or girls go though puberty in exactly the same way at exactly the same time. As such, you may find that among your peers, some are already nearing the end of puberty while others are just starting. In all, it usually takes between four and five years to pass through all the stages of puberty.
What You Should Expect
There are many changes that occur during puberty. Some of these changes will occur in both boys and girls, while others will be peculiar to your sex, i.e. whether you are a boy or a girl. Not all changes will be physiological. Some are also emotional. Here are some of the changes that you should expect to see as you go through puberty; but keep in mind these changes will not occur in everyone at the same time, so don’t get anxious if you’re not noticing these changes in yourself as your friends are experiencing them:
Physiological Changes in Girls
Body hair starts to grow under the arms and on the legs
Nipples gradually get bigger
Pubic hair appears around the genitals
Hips get bigger and wider
Body sweats more
Develop pimples on the face
Body gains some weight
Arms and legs grow longer
Hands and feet grow bigger
Bones in the face grow larger and the face looks less childlike
A tiny bit of sticky clear fluid may come out of the vagina (cervical mucus)
Menstruation can begin
Physiological Changes in Boys
Penis and testicles increase in size
Facial hair starts to grow
Pubic hair appears around genitals
Body hair starts to grow under the arms, on the legs and chest
Shoulders and chest get broader
Voice gets deeper as the larynx gets bigger
Develop pimples on the face
Arms and legs grow longer
Body gains weight and grows taller
Hands and feet grow larger
Bones in the face grow and the face looks less childlike
May experience wet dreams and first ejaculation
Emotional Changes
Desire for greater independence from parents'/family's influence, and desire for acceptance among peers/friends
Self-criticism may become evident in response to growing need to "belong"
Mood swings may occur, with times of happiness and sadness
Questioning of family values as teens begin to determine their own values. This will occur especially if there is conflict between family, cultural and societal values
Romantic or sexual feelings will occur towards others, usually a friend or acquaintance
Authoritative attitude towards younger siblings may develop, usually because teens want to elicit acceptance of developing adult status
