Puberty

About puberty

Puberty marks the start of the body’s development from childhood into adulthood. Girls tend to start puberty between the ages of 8-13.

It is caused by changing hormone levels. The brain releases a hormone that sparks the development of other sex hormones which bring on the bodily changes.

The hormones don’t only cause changes to the body, they are also responsible for changes in mood and behaviour. Some people going through puberty may become more aggressive, self-conscious, and experimental.

Bodily changes

Several changes happen to your body during puberty. Girls tend to finish pubertal development within four years from the start. Changes happen internally and externally. They tend to happen in this order:

  • You may notice you’re getting taller much quicker.
  • Your nipples may look swollen and feel tender. This is the start of your breasts growing.
  • Internally, your ovaries are getting larger.
  • Pubic hair will start growing around your genital area.
  • Your clitoris will get larger.
  • Internally, your womb will start to get larger.
  • You will notice hair growing in your armpits.
  • You may start getting oily skin and hair, and start developing spots on your face and body.
  • You may have your first period by this stage, although the age a girl starts having periods is different for everyone.

By the time you are 16 years old, you have done most of your physical developing.

Periods not started

It is normal for a young woman to start her periods between the ages of 11-15. Although some start earlier, and others later. If you are 16 and still haven’t started your periods, see your GP.

Your GP may ask you about your family history, any emotional upsets, and your medical history. They may also want to examine you and take some blood tests to check your hormone levels. On rare occasions, you may be referred to the hospital for further examinations, which may include a scan.

You are allowed to ask for a female GP if you would feel more comfortable discussing things with a female doctor.

There can be a number of different reasons why you haven’t started your period, such as:

  • excessive exercise
  • being underweight
  • stress
  • a disorder which prevents an egg from being produced from the ovaries
  • medicine you take
  • polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • severe long term illness
  • irregular hormone levels

You should see your GP if you are 16 and your periods have not yet started.

Experiment carefully

During your teenage years, it is quite likely you will want to try new things, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or having sex.

Remember that there are laws surrounding these things, and that the law is there to protect you.

It is now illegal to buy tobacco products (including rolling papers) if you are under the age of 18. If you would like to quit smoking, you could visit the NHS Smokefree website or call 0800 022 4 332.

It is illegal to buy alcohol if you are under 18 years of age. It’s also against the law to drink alcohol in a pub or public place if you are under 18.

The legal age of sexual consent is 16. It is thought that people under 16 are not ready to have sex, therefore it is illegal. You can get advice and information on sexual issues no matter what age you are. You can get this from your local sexual health clinic or by calling the Brook helpline on 0800 0185 023.

Links 

Puberty (NHS Choices)
Puberty – girls (NetDoctor)
Brook
Find your local sexual health service (NHS Choices)
Absent periods (NHS Choices)
Periods: All about them (BBC)
National chlamydia screening programme
Chlamydia (NetDoctor)