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Understanding Puberty
Puberty is the time when young people start to change from being a child to an adult.
Research shows that the age of puberty is earlier, but there is no ‘set’ age when this will happen. It may start when they are 8 years old and continue into the teenage years. At this age, developing good communication about sexuality is important. This age is also a time of many emotional and physical changes. Puberty starts when hormones are sent from the brain to the testicles in boys and ovaries in girls. These hormones are like chemical messages that cause the testicles and ovaries to release other hormones. All these hormones work together to trigger the changes in puberty.
All young people can expect:
- an increase in height and weight and muscle strength
- an increase in the size of the genitals
- an increase in sweating and oiliness of the skin
- hair growth around the genitals, under the arms and on the legs and arms
- sudden mood swings and intense emotions - love, hate, jealousy, joy, anger, sadness
- an involuntary increase in sexual feelings and fantasies
- blushing at almost anything
There may also be changes in the way young people behave and how they relate to others, including their parents. For example:
- They may think that everyone is looking at them as if they are ‘on stage’ or in a fish bowl
- They may believe that nothing bad will ever happen to the.
- They may have heaps of energy, get very tired and very hungry
- They are more likely to masturbate, or rub their genitals for pleasure
- They may have sexual feelings for others - for the same sex and the opposite sex
- They may feel pressure from their friends
- There is a strong desire to ‘fit in’ with their peers
- They may change their minds and their plans every few minutes
- They are more modest, want more privacy and need time to themselves
- They want to spend more time with their friends than their family
- They may question family values
- They may have trouble making decisions.
Girls
- Girls increase in size and shape, with more rounded hips and a more defined waist
- The vulva, vagina and nipples will get bigger. The first pubic hair appears, then the breasts will begin to develop, sometimes unevenly. Periods usually begin a year after this
- Girls generally start their periods when they weigh about 41 kilos and are about 149 cms tall. It is usually between 9 and 14 years. Their periods are sometimes irregular at first, but usually settle into a pattern after a few months. If a girl hasn’t started her period by the time she is 16, it would be a good idea to talk to a nurse or doctor about it
- They often have a vaginal discharge – an increase in the mucous produced in the vagina
- They can have an orgasm when masturbating.
Boys
- Boys’ shoulders and chests become broader and their muscles get bigger
- The penis and testicles will get bigger
- They have more erections , sometimes for no reason
- They may have a temporary swelling of the breasts as the hormones sort themselves out
- Hair starts to grow on the face and sometimes the chest
- Their voices get deeper. Their voice may go up and down or sometimes sound quite croaky all in one sentence
- Sperm will start to be produced in testicles at the time they start to grow pubic hair
- Boys usually start producing sperm between 11 and 16 years
- They can now ejaculate and/or reach orgasm when masturbating. Some boys will have wet dreams.
Puberty can be a time of confusion and uncertainty. Young people want to know they are the same as everyone else but they aren't quite sure what that is. They want to know that they're normal. Their worries may seem unimportant to adults but they are huge in their eyes.
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