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Puberty is a natural part of growing up, but it can feel confusing and overwhelming at times. It's the stage of life when your body changes and matures, preparing you for adulthood. Here are 10 things you've always wanted to know about puberty but might have been too afraid to ask.

1. What Is Puberty?

Puberty is the process your body goes through to develop from a child into an adult. It's triggered by hormones that cause physical, emotional, and social changes. For most people, puberty begins between the ages of 8 and 14, though it can start earlier or later.

2. What Are the Signs of Puberty?

The signs of puberty vary depending on your gender, but common changes include:

• For girls: Breast development, the start of periods, and growth of pubic and underarm hair.
• For boys: Voice deepening, growth of facial and body hair, and testicle enlargement.
• For everyone: Growth spurts, acne, and changes in body shape.

These changes are completely normal and happen at different rates for everyone.

3. Why Does Puberty Happen?

Puberty is controlled by hormones like oestrogen (in girls) and testosterone (in boys). These hormones are released by the brain, signalling your body to grow and develop. Puberty prepares your body for reproduction when you are an adult.

4. How Long Does Puberty Last?

Puberty typically lasts several years, though the timeline varies for each person. Most people complete puberty by their late teens. If you feel like you're behind or ahead of your peers, remember that everyone's body develops at its own pace.

5. What's Up with Mood Swings?

Feeling moody or emotional during puberty is common and caused by hormonal changes in your body. These fluctuations can affect how you feel and how you react to situations. To manage mood swings, try:

• Getting enough sleep.
• Talking about your feelings with someone you trust.
• Practising relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or mindfulness.

Remember, it's okay to feel out of sorts sometimes, these feelings are temporary.

6. What If You're Developing at a Different Pace?

It's normal to compare yourself to friends, but everyone goes through puberty at their own rate. Some people start early, while others start later. If you're worried about your development, talk to a trusted adult or healthcare professional, they can help reassure you or address any concerns.

7. Real-Life Impact: A Teen's Story

Emily, a 14-year-old from Birmingham, shared her experience: "I was the first in my class to get my period, and I felt embarrassed at first. But my mum helped me understand that it's just part of growing up. Now I feel more confident talking about it with my friends."

8. What Can You Do About Acne?

Acne is a common part of puberty caused by hormonal changes that make your skin produce more oil. To manage acne, try these tips:

• Wash your face gently twice a day with a mild cleanser.
• Avoid picking or squeezing spots, it can cause scarring.
• Use non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) skincare products.
• If acne is severe, speak to a doctor or dermatologist for advice.

Be patient, acne often improves as you get older.

9. How Can You Manage Body Changes?

Puberty brings changes to your body, and it's important to adapt to them in healthy ways:

• Hygiene: Shower daily, especially after exercise, and use deodorant to manage sweat.
• Diet: Eat a balanced diet to support growth and energy levels.
• Exercise: Stay active to improve mood and strengthen your body.
• Clothing: Choose comfortable, well-fitting clothes and undergarments that suit your changing body.

Taking care of yourself can help you feel more comfortable and confident.

10. What If You Have Questions About Sex and Relationships?

Puberty often comes with curiosity about sex, relationships, and attraction. It's natural to have questions, and it's important to seek accurate information from reliable sources. Consider talking to:

• A trusted adult, like a parent or teacher.
• Your school's sex education programme.
• Online resources like Brook, which offers advice for young people on relationships and sexual health.

Remember, there's no rush to figure everything out, take your time and learn at your own pace.

Conclusion

Puberty is a significant and sometimes challenging stage of life, but it's also a time of growth and self-discovery. By understanding what to expect, taking care of yourself, and seeking support when needed, you can navigate puberty with confidence. Remember, you're not alone, everyone goes through it, and there's no right or wrong way to experience this journey.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.