Which of the following best explains the changes that occur during puberty?

Puberty is the time when you physically become an adult. During puberty, your body goes through lots of changes. And your emotions might feel stronger and more intense. People usually start going through puberty between ages 8 and 14. Females often start puberty before males do.

Puberty doesn’t happen all at once — it comes in stages and takes many years. You might have some signs of puberty at an early age, while other changes show up years later. Bodies are unique, so puberty is different for each person. Everyone goes through puberty at their own pace.

Puberty is a normal part of life. But it’s still common to feel anxious, excited, and confused about it. Knowing what to expect can make puberty changes seem less weird or stressful. And talking to your parents or other adults you trust also helps. After all, they’ve gone through puberty too. So they probably understand how you feel, and have good advice.

What happens to my body during puberty?

There’s no way around it — your body’s gonna change a lot during puberty. Here’s what to expect.

All bodies:

• You may get acne (AKA zits or pimples) on your face and body. If pimples are stressing you out or causing problems in your life, talk to a doctor.

• You start to sweat more, and you may have body odor (when your sweat smells bad). You may want to shower more and start using deodorant.

• Hair grows under your armpits.

• Hair grows around your genitals — this is called pubic hair.

• You may grow more hair on your arms and legs, and the hair may get darker.

• You may feel some pain in your arms and legs as you grow (AKA “growing pains”)

Males:

• Your voice gets lower or deeper. It may crack sometimes while it’s changing, but that’s totally normal and eventually goes away. Your Adam’s apple (bump in your throat) might get bigger and more visible as this happens.

• Your penis and testicles get bigger.

• Hair may grow on your face, chest, and back.

• Your chest and shoulders get broader.

• You may have swelling around your nipples during puberty. This can look like the start of breasts,  but it usually goes away. This happens to about half of males, and it can last for a few months or up to a few years.

Females:

• Your breasts develop and get bigger.

• Your hips get wider and your body may become more curvy.

• You start getting your period.

• Your labia may change color and grow bigger.

Puberty and your feelings

Puberty is controlled by hormones, and these hormones affect your feelings as well as your body. During puberty, your emotions may become stronger and more intense. It’s common to go through mood swings — when your feelings change quickly and randomly.

During puberty, you’ll probably start having more sexual thoughts and urges. You may feel attracted to males, females, or both — this is sometimes called having a crush. And you might notice that you’re sexually excited (AKA horny or turned on) a lot. As you get older, these feelings probably won't be as strong. Some people masturbate to release this sexual tension and explore their sexuality. Others wait for the feelings to pass. Either way is totally normal.

Puberty can be a very confusing time in your life. Your emotions may seem like they’re out of control. One minute you feel on top of the world, and the next minute you’re down in the dumps. Feeling this way is hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Talking with adults you trust may help you sort out your feelings. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, teachers, and counselors can comfort and support you. You can also talk with someone at your local Planned Parenthood health center.

Finding activities that are fun and healthy can help you deal with stress and your feelings, and release extra energy. Physical activity, writing, music, art, or talking with friends are great ways to express your emotions and feel good about yourself.

The teenage years are also called adolescence. During this time, teens will see the greatest amount of growth in height and weight. Adolescence is a time for growth spurts and puberty changes. A teenager may grow several inches in several months followed by a period of very slow growth. Then they may have another growth spurt. Changes with puberty may happen slowly. Or several changes may occur at the same time.

It's important to remember that these changes will happen differently for each teen. Some teens may have these signs of maturity sooner or later than others. And being smaller or bigger than other girls is normal. Each child goes through puberty at their own pace.

What changes will happen during puberty?

Sexual and other physical maturation that happens during puberty results from hormonal changes.

Girls experience puberty as a sequence of events. But their puberty changes often begin before boys of the same age. Each girl is different and may progress through these changes differently. 

There are certain stages of development that girls go through when developing secondary sex characteristics. Here is a brief overview of the changes that happen:

• In girls, the first puberty change is the development of breast buds. These are small mounds that form under the nipple as the breast and nipple become slightly raised. The areola (the circle of different colored skin around the nipple) gets larger at this time.

• The breasts then continue to grow.

• Over time, the nipple and the areola will become raised again. They will form another mound on the breast. At the end of puberty, the breasts will be rounded and only the nipples will be raised.

• The first growth of pubic hair produces long, soft hair that is only in a small area around the genitals. This hair then becomes darker and coarser as it continues to spread.

• The pubic hair eventually looks like adult hair, but in a smaller area. It may spread to the thighs and sometimes up the stomach.

The following changes may also happen to a girl as she goes through puberty:

• There may be an increase in hair growth. This will happen not only in the pubic area, but also under the arms and on the legs. Many women may decide to shave this hair.

• The girl's body shape will also begin to change. There may be an increase not only in height and weight, but the hips may get wider as well. There may also be an increase in fat in the buttocks, legs, and stomach. These are normal changes that may happen during puberty.

• Her body size will increase, with the feet, arms, legs, and hands beginning to grow in advance of the body. This may cause a girl to feel clumsy.

• As the puberty hormones increase, teens may have an increase in oily skin and sweating. This is a normal part of growing. It's important to wash daily, including the face. Acne may develop.

• Teen girls will also menstruate, or have menstrual periods, often every month. This begins when the body starts making more hormones to get ready for reproduction. Over time, the body begins to release eggs from the ovaries. This means that the teen girl is able to get pregnant. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus is shed through the vagina.

What does my teenager understand?

The teenage years bring many changes—not only physically, but also mentally and socially. During these years, teens increase their ability to think abstractly and eventually to make plans and set long-term goals. Each child may progress at different rates, and show a different view of the world. In general, the following are some of the abilities you may see in your teenager:

• Developing the ability to think abstractly

• Concerned with philosophy, politics, and social issues

• Thinking long-term

• Setting goals

• Comparing herself with her peers

Your teen's relationships with others

As your teenager begins to struggle for independence and control, many changes may happen. Here are some of the issues that your teen may experience during these years:

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