What is puberty?
Puberty for girls means the physical and emotional changes that occur when a girl becomes a young woman. Puberty can take place only when the body starts to make new hormones. These hormones guide the physical changes but can also produce emotional changes.
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When does puberty start and how long does it last for?
Generally girls start puberty before boys, usually between the ages of 8 and 14 years, puberty usually lasts 2 to 4 years. Most girls have regular periods by the time they 18.
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What are the first signs of puberty?
In girls, the first signs of puberty are widening of your pelvis and the rounding of your hips. Also, the start of breast development, often as small and sometimes itchy bumps under your nipples. You will start increasing in height more quickly. Thicker or darker hair will start to grow in your armpits and on and between your legs, pubic hair. You will also start to get your periods, menstruation, which might be quite light, not much 'blood', and irregular at first.
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What is the final stage of puberty?
The final stage of puberty is the start of regular and heavier periods. This is when you start to release eggs, called ovulation, more regularly.
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What are periods?
Periods are a normal process which happens to girls and women after the start of puberty. It is the loss of the unused lining of the womb, which looks like blood. This comes out of the vagina and lasts for about 4–7 days maybe longer if you have a coil/intrauterine device fitted.
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What changes during puberty can't I see?
One of the main physical changes of puberty is the growth and development of the sex organs. Some sex organs can be seen on the outside of the body, others are hidden inside the body. The ones we can see are the genitals and the ones we can't are our reproductive organs.
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Why am I getting spots now?
Getting spots is very common during puberty and afterwards. If you are very bothered by them, your general practitioner can offer help.
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What are vaginal secretions?
The vagina makes a fluid to keep itself clean and to help you have sex. These vaginal secretions are first noticeable during puberty, often as stains on your pants.
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Why, if I am not careful, do I get more smelly now?
You will notice new smells during and after puberty. For hygiene and health reasons it is a good idea to wash your genitals daily, unscented soaps can be kinder to the skin. If you have sensitive skin, try an aqueous cream, which you can buy over the counter from any chemist.
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Hair and puberty
What happens to body hair at puberty?
At all ages our skin has fine, short, hairs all over it. The amount and type depends on your genes, take a look at your parents. When we are going through puberty we start to grow thicker and darker hair around our genitals, pubic hair, under our armpits and on our legs. The length, darkness and thickness of this varies between people.
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What should I do about this hair?
Some people choose to trim, lighten or remove body hair and others don't. It's your choice. There is nothing wrong with feeling that you don't want to remove body hair, European women often leave their body hair alone. Removing hair can cause some minor problems if the skin is nicked with a razor, irritated, or the re-growing hair gets stuck under the skin surface. For this reason be careful, try different methods to find one that suits you and keep the area very clean to prevent skin infections.
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I think I am hairier than my girlfriends.
Some girls and women, in some ethnic groups, are naturally more hairy than others, or have darker hair that is more noticeable. It is quite common to grow single, or many hairs, in the typical 'moustache or beard area' of the face, especially as women get older or if they are taking some medications. Hair growth can also be influenced by your hormones or by prescription drugs. If you have noticed that you are more 'hairy' than your friends and you are not having periods, or your periods are irregular, or your periods have stopped and you are not pregnant, you should go to see your general practitioner who can advise you.
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