Puberty
Puberty is the change that your body goes through as you grow up, which makes you a grown up and gets your body ready to have babies in the future.
As you become an adult your body goes through lots of changes, some that you can see and some that you can't. It can be a difficult time getting used to everything. You might hear lots of different stories from friends about what happens to your body, and it can be hard to know what to believe.
What is puberty?
Puberty is the change that your body goes through in your early teens, which makes you a grown up and gets your body ready to have babies in the future.
When does puberty happen?
- For girls this is usually between the ages of 10 and 16.
- For boys it’s usually between the ages of 12 and 18.
- Some people start puberty earlier and some later, everyone is different.
What will happen to me?
Boys and girls change in different ways during puberty. You can see some changes in your body as they grow and develop. You might start feeling odd and moody during puberty. This is because your hormones are developing. It can be worrying as you feel very different, but it is normal to feel like this.
I'm having lots of sexual thoughts and feelings, is this normal?
It's normal to have sexual thoughts and feelings, especially during puberty when your body is changing. It can be confusing and strange at first but it isn't unusual. Your feelings should calm down after while when your body adjusts to the changes. Read more on our sex advice page.
Most schools should talk to you about the changes that you will go through. Sometimes you might have questions that you are too embarrassed to ask your teacher, or that you think about later on. If you are worried or confused about anything it will help to talk about it.
If you can't talk to someone you know, you can call us and we will be able to help you.