What Puberty Did to My Friends
During puberty, your body changes in many ways. Some changes are normal, while others can be uncomfortable or even scary. It’s important to know what to expect so that you can prepare yourself and your friends for the big change ahead.
Your voice may crack and become deeper, as your Adam’s apple (bump in your throat) gets bigger. It’s normal and will go away on its own eventually.
Girls’ bodies usually get curvier, with their hips getting wider and breasts developing. They may begin to wear bras, especially if they are involved in sports or exercise classes.
A growth spurt happens in a lot of people during puberty. Some kids grow 4 inches or more in a year!
During this spurt, you might see a lot of your clothes getting shorter and your pants growing up to your thighs. That’s because your body is growing so fast!
You’ll also start to have acne on your face and body. If this is bothersome, you might want to talk with your doctor.
Other changes that happen during puberty are sexual development, including the scrotum and testes in boys and the development of breasts in girls. These changes come from special hormones that you body releases during this time.
The hormones start in your brain, and then they travel to different parts of your body. They affect your body in ways you might not realize, like the way you feel or what kinds of emotions you experience.
Those hormones make your scrotum and testes grow, the way your voice grows lower or deeper, and how your penis and testes get bigger. They may also help your body lubricate itself when you shave, so you don’t get cuts or bumps on your skin.
Your scrotum might also swell up and develop pubic hair, which is long and soft. This hair spreads over the scrotum, and can get darker and coarser as it spreads.
A girl might also get her first menstrual period around this time. That is another sign that the hormones that started her puberty are doing their job.
It can be scary and confusing to go through the changes that happen during puberty, but it’s okay if you have questions or concerns about them. Your parents or other trusted adults can help you get through them.
You might have a hard time controlling your emotions. This can be especially hard for teens who have never felt this way before, but it’s common.
Some teens get really angry, lose their tempers, or start to act aggressively. They might also have problems with their relationships, as they are learning how to deal with other people and their feelings.
The physical changes of puberty can make it difficult to understand what you really want in life. That’s why it’s important to have conversations with your parents and other adults you trust. They will know you best, and can offer advice that is right for you.