VictorGallop
May 13th, 2010, 07:03 AM
What is puberty?
Puberty (PEW-bur-tee) is a major change that happens in your body. It is a time when you grow very fast and your body changes into an adult body. Puberty is the last time of fast growth you will have in your life. Puberty happens over a period of 2 to 4 years, but may last longer. Everyone goes through it. Though it is hard to believe, even your parents went through puberty!
How does puberty start?
Puberty starts in your brain. Your brain sends a message to your ovaries that it is time for your body to change. Your ovaries begin to make a special chemical or hormone called estrogen. Estrogen and other hormones cause your body to change in shape and size during puberty. They cause your body to get ready for reproduction (re-pro-DUCK-shun), or having a baby.
When does puberty start?
Although puberty usually starts between ages 8 to 13 in girls, it may start earlier or later. Everyone's body changes at a different time. Whether you have breasts at age 10 or have not started your period by age 14, do not worry. Everyone goes through puberty eventually.
What will happen to my body during puberty?
Your body will change in the following ways during puberty.
Breast Changes:
Your breasts will begin to grow. This is often the first sign you are starting puberty.
- Your nipples will get larger and darker. Tiny bumps may form on them.
- Your breasts grow full under your nipples first. These are called "breast buds." Your breasts will fill out and fully develop in 1 to 4 years. Some girls have breasts that grow quickly, completely developing in less than 1 year. For other girls, this may take longer.
- Your breasts may be sore, tender, and sensitive as they grow. Wearing a bra may give your breasts support and help you to be more comfortable. It may help protect them if they are sensitive or sore. It may help you feel less self-conscious about your breasts.
- It is very normal for your breasts to grow unevenly. One breast may be smaller than the other for a while. By the end of puberty, your breasts should be about the same size.
Curves:
Girls going through puberty are supposed to gain weight. You may gain 15 or more pounds during puberty. Your body makes more body fat so that you can have fuller breasts, hips, stomach, and thighs. As your hip bones grow wider, your waist will look smaller. These changes help to give your body the shape of an adult woman. If you feel you are fat or are gaining too much weight, talk to a caregiver before trying to diet. Gaining some weight during puberty is important for normal growth. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly may help you stay at the right weight for your size.
Face and Skin Changes: Your skin may become oily and you may get acne (pimples). The blackheads, whiteheads, or red bumps of acne affect nearly every teenager and many young adults. Acne happens when a "plug" of oils and skin gets stuck in a follicle (FALL-ih-kull). A follicle is the pore from which a hair grows. The area around the follicle swells and reddens. You may get acne on your back, chest, and neck. Keep your skin clean so that oil and dirt cannot build up and make your acne worse.
- Wash your face 2 times a day with a mild soap that does not have perfume. Use your hands to wash your face. Rubbing your skin hard with a wash cloth may irritate your skin and make your acne worse.
- It is OK to wear makeup. Be sure that makeup, creamy lotions, or other skin products you use are less likely to cause pimples. Use water-based makeup, not oil-based. Oil-based makeup may cause your acne to get worse. Use loose powders instead of pressed powders that are made with mineral oil.
- Wash off sweat, especially after exercising.
Please do not advertise here, links removed - Kaius
Puberty (PEW-bur-tee) is a major change that happens in your body. It is a time when you grow very fast and your body changes into an adult body. Puberty is the last time of fast growth you will have in your life. Puberty happens over a period of 2 to 4 years, but may last longer. Everyone goes through it. Though it is hard to believe, even your parents went through puberty!
How does puberty start?
Puberty starts in your brain. Your brain sends a message to your ovaries that it is time for your body to change. Your ovaries begin to make a special chemical or hormone called estrogen. Estrogen and other hormones cause your body to change in shape and size during puberty. They cause your body to get ready for reproduction (re-pro-DUCK-shun), or having a baby.
When does puberty start?
Although puberty usually starts between ages 8 to 13 in girls, it may start earlier or later. Everyone's body changes at a different time. Whether you have breasts at age 10 or have not started your period by age 14, do not worry. Everyone goes through puberty eventually.
What will happen to my body during puberty?
Your body will change in the following ways during puberty.
Breast Changes:
Your breasts will begin to grow. This is often the first sign you are starting puberty.
- Your nipples will get larger and darker. Tiny bumps may form on them.
- Your breasts grow full under your nipples first. These are called "breast buds." Your breasts will fill out and fully develop in 1 to 4 years. Some girls have breasts that grow quickly, completely developing in less than 1 year. For other girls, this may take longer.
- Your breasts may be sore, tender, and sensitive as they grow. Wearing a bra may give your breasts support and help you to be more comfortable. It may help protect them if they are sensitive or sore. It may help you feel less self-conscious about your breasts.
- It is very normal for your breasts to grow unevenly. One breast may be smaller than the other for a while. By the end of puberty, your breasts should be about the same size.
Curves:
Girls going through puberty are supposed to gain weight. You may gain 15 or more pounds during puberty. Your body makes more body fat so that you can have fuller breasts, hips, stomach, and thighs. As your hip bones grow wider, your waist will look smaller. These changes help to give your body the shape of an adult woman. If you feel you are fat or are gaining too much weight, talk to a caregiver before trying to diet. Gaining some weight during puberty is important for normal growth. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly may help you stay at the right weight for your size.
Face and Skin Changes: Your skin may become oily and you may get acne (pimples). The blackheads, whiteheads, or red bumps of acne affect nearly every teenager and many young adults. Acne happens when a "plug" of oils and skin gets stuck in a follicle (FALL-ih-kull). A follicle is the pore from which a hair grows. The area around the follicle swells and reddens. You may get acne on your back, chest, and neck. Keep your skin clean so that oil and dirt cannot build up and make your acne worse.
- Wash your face 2 times a day with a mild soap that does not have perfume. Use your hands to wash your face. Rubbing your skin hard with a wash cloth may irritate your skin and make your acne worse.
- It is OK to wear makeup. Be sure that makeup, creamy lotions, or other skin products you use are less likely to cause pimples. Use water-based makeup, not oil-based. Oil-based makeup may cause your acne to get worse. Use loose powders instead of pressed powders that are made with mineral oil.
- Wash off sweat, especially after exercising.
Please do not advertise here, links removed - Kaius