Growing up and body changes

 

 

Everyone needs to know about growing up, body changes and sexual health. Sometimes adults find it hard to discuss these things with young people but it's a good idea to talk to someone you can trust.

Adolescence - the time between being a child and becoming an adult, and puberty - the physical changes during adolecence, can be a difficult and confusing time.
 

So what's going on?

All sorts of changes to your body and emotions start to happen. Puberty happens to different people at different times, so don't worry if your friends have started to develop before you.

You might be feeling...

  • Moody! Happy one day, angry and tearful the next.
  • Worried about what your friends might think about you
  • Anxious for your independence as you're starting to have your own ideas and make your own decisions
  • Too fat or thin, that your hair is wrong or unhappy about what you like like. 

 

 
 

So what happens?

Girls

  • Your breasts start to develop
  • You will grow hair under your arms, on your legs and in the pubic area (between your legs) of your body
  • You will start to release your eggs (ovulate) and have periods once every month
  • You may start getting spots

Periods

These can start at any time during your adolescence but usually start between the age of 10 and 17.

Once you've got used to them, they're not hard to manage. Use a sanitary towel or tampon to catch the blood and change it every few hours. At first, your periods are likely to be light and may be irregular. It's a good idea to write the date down so you know when to expect the next one. They usually last between 3-7 days. You life should carry on as normal during your period - it's fine to carry on doing sport, including swimming, just keep your body clean. Missing a period is normal but remember, if you have had sex, it may be the first sign that you are pregnant.

Pre-mentrual Syndrome/Tension (PMS or PMT)

This is the few days before your period when some girls can feel moody, anxious, achy or a bit sick. There are some ways you can help ease this such as:

  • Exercise - this helps with both the physical and emotional symptoms
  • Drink lots of water to help with the sicknes or try eating or drinking some ginger with ginger biscuits or ginger ale
  • Take a hot bath or use a hot water bottle
  • Talk to your doctor about what they can do to help

Boys

  • Your voice will break (get deeper)
  • You will start to grow hair on your face, in your pubic area (between your legs), under your arms, on your legs and on your chest
  • You might get spots
  • Your penis and testicles will get bigger
  • Your tesicles will start to produce sperm which means you can make a girl pregnant if you have sex
  • Some boys develop breasts during puberty - this is nothing to worry about. They will disappear once your hormones settle down
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