Puberty
Project Manager
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Puberty is a phase of rapid growth, at the end of which the body reaches reproductive maturity. Other body systems mature during this time too.
Physical changes for girls around puberty
Its good to remember we are all made totally unique and may not always develop or think the way others do!
Puberty is the time when all major organs and body systems mature. At the end of puberty, the body is sexually and reproductively mature.
The growth and development that occurs during puberty is prompted by changes in the levels of certain hormones in the body.
Hormonal changes begin in the mid-primary school years, but puberty properly starts at around 10 years for girls and 11 years for boys.
Everyone is different – may start puberty earlier or later.
Girls typically start puberty well before boys.
As puberty advances, both boys and girls experience many emotional changes; for many, it is a time of choosing different ways of engaging with family, friends and teachers.
Periods
Even though periods work as a cycle, that cycle can take different amounts of time each month. For example, you might get your period after 24 days one month and after 42 days the next. These are called irregular periods. Irregular periods are very common, especially in the first few years of getting your period.
Breast Growthand Tenderness
The first stage of breast growth is called ‘budding’. Sometimes the breasts are different sizes. The breasts may be tender during this time. This is normal, but speak with your doctor if you are worried.
Acne
Girls may develop acne.
This is a condition of the skin that shows up as bumps – most commonly on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back and chest. These bumps can be blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or cysts. Hormonal changes during puberty cause acne in teens.
Hair Growth
Hair will start to grow around the pubic area and under your arms, and hair on your legs and arms will darken.
Discharge
Girls may start to get a clear or whitish discharge from your vagina. This is a normal, natural self-cleaning process.
Periods
Menstrual periods will start. Periods are part of a monthly cycle where the lining of the uterus (womb) thickens as the body gets ready for pregnancy. Once a month, the lining is shed over a few days, if a pregnancy has not happened.
Period Pain
Girls may start to have pain or cramps just before or at the start of your period. Exercise, a hot water bottle held to the abdomen (tummy) or over-the-counter pain medication may help. If the pain gets too much, see a doctor.
Girls in Puberty
Puberty is the time when kids grow into young adults through physical and emotional changes. This doesn’t happen all at once, but slowly over time. It's good to know about the changes that come along with puberty. Its important for youths to know what to expect.
When Does Puberty Start?
Most females will start puberty when they’re 8 to 13 years old.
But it can also be normal to start earlier or later.
How Does Puberty Start?
Hormones from the brain trigger the
start of puberty.
Hormones are chemical messengers
that tell the body what to do.
In females: The hormones tell the
ovaries to make the hormone estrogen
(oestrogen) and triggers the growth and
release of eggs.
Other puberty hormones come from the
adrenal glands, a pair of glands that sit
at the top of the kidneys. These hormones
lead to the growth of pubic and underarm
hair, body odour, and acne.
What Physical Changes Happen During Puberty?
The physical changes that happen during puberty are different for males and females.
For most females, the first physical change of puberty is breast development.
It starts with small, firm, tender lumps (called buds) under one or both nipples. The breasts will get larger over the next year or two.
Dark, coarse, curly hair will appear on the labia (the folds of skin surrounding the vagina). Later, more hair will grow in the pubic area and under the arms.
Their body shape begins to change as their hips widen and they gain weight and body fat.
Expect the first period (mentruation) about 2 years after breast buds appear, usually between the ages of 9 and 16. Most females have a growth spurt about 1–2 years before their period starts.
After they get their period, most females grow about 1–2 more inches before growth stops.
What Emotional Changes Happen During Puberty?
Just as those hormones change the way the body looks on the outside, they also change how girls feel on the inside. While their body is adjusting to all the new hormones, so is their mind.
During puberty, girls might feel confused or have strong emotions that you've never had before.
Girls may feel anxious about how their changing body looks. They might feel lost, get upset or lose your temper more than usual.
It's easy to feel embarrassed or anxious when talking about these topics, helping young ones understand these changes helps in easing the transition into being a women.
If young ones aren’t comfortable talking to their parents, Its important that they are pointed in the right direction of whom they can reach out to. This might be their teacher, school nurse, school counsellor or Doctor. Have on hand informational flyers, contact numbers of counsellors that they can reach out to.
What Else Should I Know?
Even though everyone goes through puberty, we all go through it very differently. Some of their friends might have gotten curves, while others haven't. But eventually everyone catches up, and the differences will even out.
Its good for them to see we all come in different shapes and sizes, its what makes us all totally unique.
Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to look.
We are all unique, on the inside and the outside.
