• Puberty happens between ages 8 and 13 and takes 3 to 4 years to complete.
• After puberty, the body is capable of reproduction, but that does not mean a person is emotionally ready to have a baby.

 

Changes everyone experiences

Feet grow Feet are the first body part to grow	puberty-table-feet-grow.png
Growth spurts Happen when the body grows more than 3 cm in 1 year. Lengthening tendons can make growth spurts painful. Medication and rest can help alleviate the pain.	puberty-table-growth-spurts.png
Pimples and oily hair Oil glands, located underneath the skin, produce extra oil that cause pimples and greasy hair. Daily washing will help manage the extra oil. If the pimples are too difficult to manage, these can be treated with medication.	puberty-table-pimples-oily-hair.png
Body odour A second set of sweat glands grows during puberty. When these release sweat it mixes with bacteria on the body and creates an odour. Daily washing and deodorant manages the smell.	puberty-table-body-odour.png
Body hair Hair will grow over the body, including in the armpits and around the genitals. It might be a different colour or texture than the hair on the head. Some people remove body hair, but others don’t.	puberty-table-body-hair.png
The Sads, Mads, and Glads Emotions change dramatically during puberty. Exercise, healthy food, and rest help to manage emotions.	puberty-table-sad-mad-glad.png

Female Changes

 

Breasts grow

• The breasts grow larger and have the ability to produce milk if a person gives birth.
• Breasts can be tender when these are growing.
• Wearing a training bra eases discomfort.

 

Hips widen

• The hips widen to create room in the body to carry a baby if a person chooses to.

 

Vulva grows

• The outer and inner labia and clitoris grow larger.

 

Vaginal fluid is produced

• The vagina and cervix start to produce a clear white substance that helps clean and moisten the vagina.
• Vaginal fluid will be noticeable on the underwear.
• If the vaginal fluid has an odour or is itchy, it could signal an infection and need medical treatment.

 

Menstruation cycle begins

• Once a month, the ovary releases an egg (ovum), and the uterus grows a lining of blood and tissue.
• If the egg becomes fertilized by a sperm, it can implant into the uterus lining and develop into a baby.
• If the egg is not fertilized, it will dissolve and the uterus lining is shed through the vaginal opening. This is called menstruation or a period.

 

 

Male Changes

 

Shoulders and chest broaden

• The chest and shoulders broaden. 

Penis and testicles grow bigger

• The penis and testicles grow bigger.

Increase in the number of erections

• Erections happen when blood rushes to the penis and becomes hard.
• Erections happen for a lot of reasons including rubbing the genitals, pleasurable thoughts, seeing an image or person they like, or for no reason at all.
• If someone gets an erection in public they can sit down or cover up until it goes away.

Ability to ejaculate

• Ejaculations start when the testicles begin to produce and release sperm. 
• Sperm leave the testicles, mixes with fluid from the reproductive system to create semen, and exit out the tip of the penis.