What is
Puberty?
uberty is a time, most commonly during adolescents when both boys and girls change from being kids to adults. Puberty often starts between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and 9 and 15 for boys. During puberty there will be a lot of emotional, physical and social changes that occur. This can be a very stressful and confusing time which is why it is important to know what to expect when you reach puberty.
Approximately two years before you notice any changes your brain will begin working to change you from a child to an adult. When your body reaches a certain age it will release special hormones. Hormones are chemicals in your body that act like messengers as they can travel to parts of your body and control the cells and organs to help them. The two main sex hormones are testosterone and oestrogen. Males have higher levels of testosterone while Females have higher levels of oestrogen. These hormones are responsible for the physical changes in both males and females.
Physical changes that will occur for girls during puberty:
- Breast development
- Pubic hair
- Body growth
- Hair
- Pimples
- Mensturation
Emotional changes that will occur for girls during puberty:
- Feeling self-conscious
- Conflicting thoughts
- Mood swings
- Uncertainty
- Sexual feelings
Social changes that will occure for girls during puberty:
- Peer-pressure
- Searching for identity
- Seeking independance
- Seeking responsibility
- Develop sexual identity
Physical changes that will occur for boys during puberty:
- Pubic hair
- Body growth
- Hair
- Voice change
- Pimples
Emotional changes that will occur for boys during puberty:
- Feeling self-conscious
- Conflicting thoughts
- Mood swings
- Uncertainty
- Sexual feelings
Social changes that will occure for girls during puberty:
- Peer-pressure
- Searching for identity
- Seeking independance
- Seeking responsibility
- Develop sexual identity
P
Girls
Boys