{"id":18681,"date":"2021-01-18T12:27:12","date_gmt":"2021-01-18T11:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=18681"},"modified":"2022-03-23T08:51:00","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T07:51:00","slug":"what-you-can-expect-from-puberty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/what-you-can-expect-from-puberty\/","title":{"rendered":"Ch-ch-changes: What You Can Expect from Puberty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ah, puberty. It\u2019s a completely natural, ordinary process happening to billions of people at any one time. But it\u2019s simultaneously a huge deal! You might already be going through puberty, or impatiently waiting for it to start. But either way, you\u2019d probably like a bit of a heads up about what\u2019s to come. <\/span><\/p>\n

We don\u2019t blame you! There\u2019s a lot that happens physically and emotionally during puberty. <\/span><\/p>\n

Today, we\u2019re going to talk about what you can expect during puberty. (Today, we\u2019ll be focusing on puberty for people with uteruses, which happens a little earlier than for those with testes and a penis.)<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Puberty?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Puberty is about a four-year process where your body changes from its juvenile (kid) form to one that is sexually mature (an adult). That\u2019s the very scientific way to think of it, like caterpillars becoming butterflies. The thing about humans though, is that reaching sexual maturity doesn\u2019t necessarily mean mature enough to start having sex.<\/span><\/p>\n

It just means biologically able to have sex that results in reproduction. This switch from child to adult isn\u2019t instant, so even starting your period doesn\u2019t necessarily mean your body is in prime shape to start having babies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The process takes a few years, as we\u2019ve mentioned, and as unfair as it seems, it\u2019s different for everyone. Most people start puberty around 11, but some start it younger and some later. And these changes can feel pretty uncomfortable and annoying sometimes. <\/span><\/p>\n

So while you might be so jealous that your bestie is already wearing a bra, they might hate that they\u2019re trying to figure out how to stealthily sneak their period products to the bathroom in elementary school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By age 16, you\u2019ll probably be finishing up your big puberty changes, and a lot of those anxieties will be half-forgotten by the time you finish high school. <\/span><\/p>\n

But just because \u2018it won\u2019t matter when you graduate!\u2019 might <\/span>sound<\/span><\/i> comforting, it doesn\u2019t help you right now! So we\u2019re going to give you a heads up about the order that you\u2019ll probably notice the changes of puberty.<\/span><\/p>\n

The First Signs of Puberty<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first puberty change you\u2019ll notice is your chest. Most guides to puberty discuss \u2018breast budding,\u2019 which can be a little confusing. <\/span><\/p>\n

What this means is that there will be some slight swelling under your nipple, and you may feel some itchiness or soreness as the skin stretches. This is when many people start wearing a training bra or sports bra as it can help relieve some of this discomfort. It can also provide more support when you\u2019re exercising or playing sports, and save you from some \u2018obvious nipple\u2019 embarrassment if you\u2019re wearing tight or light-colored shirts. <\/span><\/p>\n

However<\/i><\/b>\u2014<\/span><\/i>wearing a bra or not is a totally personal choice. Do what\u2019s comfortable for you!<\/span><\/p>\n

Mid-Puberty<\/span><\/h2>\n

From then on, the next few changes will happen in <\/span>roughly<\/span><\/i> this order, but it\u2019s different for everyone!<\/span><\/p>\n

Breasts \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

They\u2019ll continue growing and becoming fuller. Their size and shape (yes, they come in different shapes!) will depend on genetics. Your nipple may change in size and color, and it\u2019s also normal for one breast to develop a little faster than the other.<\/span><\/p>\n

Body Hair<\/b><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll start to notice hair under your arms and on<\/span> your pubic mound<\/span><\/a>. You\u2019ll also start growing thicker and\/or darker hair on your legs, and sometimes on your upper lip. This is all normal, and again, very informed by your genetics. Look to your family members for an idea of what you\u2019re in for!<\/span><\/p>\n

Body Size & Shape<\/b><\/h3>\n

You\u2019re going to hit a serious growth spurt for about a year! You might grow 2-3 inches per year, for a year or two. After that, it\u2019ll slow down to just an inch or two a year again. This rapid growth is a major annoyance when it comes to buying clothes, and you can feel a bit awkward if you\u2019re suddenly towering over everyone. <\/span><\/p>\n

You may notice \u2018growing pains\u2019 which are a type of muscle ache in the mornings or evenings. Massage and stretching can help!<\/span><\/p>\n

You may also notice your hips, thighs and butt becoming bigger. It can all feel a bit awkward as your body starts to sort itself into a new shape. (We\u2019d be lying if we said we didn\u2019t wack our hips into a few tables and doorways during puberty.) But, it will all start to settle down soon!<\/span><\/p>\n

Skin<\/b><\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, you\u2019ll start to notice zits on your face and neck, sometimes on your shoulders and back as well. You\u2019ll also notice yourself sweating more. Now is a good time to switch up some of your hygiene habits, because your body is producing A LOT more oil and sweat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Look up dermatological advice specific to teens, as your skin\u2019s needs are a little different than people at other points in their life. Unfortunately, you might feel like hiding your face behind your hair an oversized hoodies, but that won\u2019t help. <\/span><\/p>\n

Worse, ignoring your acne can cause permanent scarring. But the right cleansing and moisturizing routine can help, as can certain medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Uterus & Genitals<\/b><\/h3>\n

Though you can\u2019t see it, your uterus is growing! Around two years into puberty, you\u2019ll start noticing <\/span>vaginal discharge<\/span><\/a> in your underwear. As well, <\/span>your first period<\/span><\/a> will be on its way. We have a blog section devoted to everything you need to know about <\/span>starting to menstruate<\/span><\/a>, from PMS to cramps, so take your time, read a lot, and ask your parents a lot of questions!<\/span><\/p>\n

Final Stage of Puberty<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most people start their final stage of puberty around age 15. But this can vary! If you haven\u2019t started noticing <\/span>any <\/span><\/i>of the changes we\u2019ve mentioned so far by age 15, you may want to talk to your parents about it. Chances are they are keeping track of your height and development. <\/span><\/p>\n

It may be that both your parents were \u2018late-bloomers\u2019 themselves! But it may also be worth a visit to the doctor\u2019s to check that everything is okay.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been ticking the puberty boxes so far, this what the last stage of puberty will look like:<\/span><\/p>\n

Breasts\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your breasts will have more or less reached their adult size and shape\u2014though they can continue to develop and change through age 18. They\u2019ll also change somewhat through your adult life if you gain or lose weight, if you go on<\/span> hormonal birth control<\/span><\/a>, or if you become pregnant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Body Hair<\/b><\/h3>\n

You may have thought you were done with this, but nope! During late puberty, your pubic hair may reach your inner thighs. But again, this can vary from person to person!<\/span><\/p>\n

Body Size & Shape<\/b><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll have reached your full adult height about one or two years after your first period. So relax! You finally know your jean length. (Until the style changes again, of course.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your hips, thighs, and bum will continue to fill out in shape, so we maybe spoke too soon about the jeans thing!<\/span><\/p>\n

Skin<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your acne woes may not be over until your early 20s, unfortunately. As mentioned, certain medications (including hormonal birth control) can help your skin concerns. Talk to your doctor for a referral and do your best not to pick!<\/span><\/p>\n

Uterus & Genitals<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your reproductive organs and genitals are fully developed, and your period will have become regular anywhere from six months to two years after your first one. You may not be mentally or emotionally ready for sexual activity yet, but it is important that you know about sexual protection. <\/span><\/p>\n

That means protection from pregnancy <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> Sexually Transmitted Infections<\/span><\/a>, which you can get from things like blow jobs and fingering as well as \u2018full-on\u2019 sex. Even making out involves a risk of transmitting herpes. You don\u2019t need to be afraid, just informed\u2014resources like <\/span>Scarleteen <\/span><\/a>are a great place to research!<\/span><\/p>\n

Mental & Emotional Changes You Can Expect During Puberty<\/span><\/h2>\n

It can feel like your body is going through a revolution during puberty, so it\u2019s no wonder your mind and moods can feel all over the place! It\u2019s really a mix of your reaction to this big body changes (and social changes in your life) as well as the flood of new hormones in your body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your brain is a body part (one that doesn\u2019t stop developing until your early 20s) so you shouldn\u2019t discount the changes it\u2019s going through as well. People talk flippantly about \u2018hormonal teenagers,\u2019 but there\u2019s a lot more to it. Some of the emotional changes you might notice heightened during puberty are:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Feeling very sensitive, like the whole world is against you, or small things can make you cry.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Feeling like you\u2019re deliriously happy one minute, then filled with rage the next\u2014for what feels like no good reason!<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Feeling uncertain about who you are, or who you want to be. You might feel like you want to try new stuff out to help you figure things out, which can include taking bigger risks than you did before or being more afraid to take risks.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Feeling self-conscious of your body as it changes.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Feeling romantic and\/or sexual interest in other people. This can mean crushes on someone you\u2019ve known since kindergarten or feeling like you can\u2019t stop noticing sexual situations in books, TV or movies.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    A certain level of emotional change is normal with puberty. And it changes all the time! It feels like every year you\u2019ll look back on things that used to be such a huge deal, and wonder what you were thinking. But, puberty is also when a lot of people start to experience more serious depression or anxiety issues. <\/span><\/p>\n

    It can feel really embarrassing or stupid to talk about this with your family or friends sometimes. But, the practice you get talking about minor things make it much easier to talk about it when something serious is wrong!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Is Puberty the End of Your Body\u2019s Big Changes?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    By the time you finish high school, it\u2019ll feel like your body\u2019s big changes are behind you. But your body will still have some tricks up its sleeve waiting for you! Thankfully though, you\u2019ll feel a bit less unprepared for changes. And, a little less alone having seen everyone you know go through it!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Ah, puberty. It\u2019s a completely natural, ordinary process happening to billions of people at any one time. But it\u2019s simultaneously a huge deal! 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