What is Puberty?
Puberty is an exciting part of growing up! It's when your body and brain start changing a lot. It happens to everyone as they go from being a child to becoming an adult.
Usually, puberty starts between 10 and 16 years old. That's when your body starts making hormones that make the changes happen.
Being a teenager and starting puberty can also change how you feel. Your brain is growing too, which affects how you think and feel about the world and yourself. It's all normal!
Puberty happens differently for everyone and at different times. Sometimes it might be a bit tough or worrying, but understanding why it happens can help you feel better about it.
What happens:
- When you're waiting for puberty to start, you might feel a bit worried about what's going to happen and when it will happen. But don't worry, puberty is just when your body starts to change, as you grow up.
- You might notice that you start getting taller and your body starts to look different, like girls growing breasts and boys getting more muscles. Your voice might even get deeper, and you might start feeling more emotional sometimes or you might start liking people in a different way.
- Inside your body is preparing itself for making babies- eggs are released in the female body and sperm production not everyone will want to have babies but puberty gets the body ready.
- Other things might be changes in your skin and having more spots and pimples, sweating more and hair growing on your private parts.
- You may also feel changes in your moods. You might become more attracted to people and start to have feelings of arousal, you might feel more adventurous and independent and excited to take more risks in life or you might have feelings of low confidence or unhappiness around how you look or how others see you.
All of these changes are totally normal, and but it can feel uncomfortable to experience these changes and if puberty comes earlier or later than your friends this might feel worrying. Everyone goes through them at their own speed. It's OK if you're ahead or behind other people – everyone's different but if you have any worries you should speak to a doctor or nurse who can answer any questions you have.
