Hi there,
Thank you for your letter. I am really glad youve got in touch.
I can imagine it might feel a bit difficult being the first girl in your class to start puberty. Lots of young people will have questions about what happens during puberty and it can feel like an unsettling time. It can also be an exciting time as you look forward to growing up.
Puberty usually happens between the age of 10 and 16 for girls and will start at different times for different people. Although you might feel like the odd one out at the moment, puberty is a really normal part of life and other people in your class will start to catch up with you soon. There is a page in Explore about puberty for girls which will tell you a bit more about what to expect.
Youve asked me what to do. It might be helpful to think about somebody in your life you would feel comfortable talking to about this. Sometimes people can feel embarrassed to talk about things like puberty but remember that its something that happens to everyone. Some young people have told me they feel more comfortable talking to someone outside their family or who does not know them too much, while others feel they can talk to an older sister, cousin or aunt.
It can be good to try and decide how you want to get ready for your periods starting. Some girls decide to carry a spare sanitary towel with them in case their period starts when they are not at home. These are things you might like to ask questions about when you talk to someone.
If you notice that you are sweating more, you might want to think about starting to use deodorant. Once you noticed that your breasts have started growing you can think about whether you want to start wearing a bra. Theres no right or wrong time to start wearing one, its up to you to decide what feels most comfortable.
If you want, you could talk to a ChildLine counsellor by calling 0800 1111 (this number is free from any phone) or by logging in for a 1-2-1 chat or sending an email. ChildLine is a safe space where you can talk about anything. There is also a puberty for girls message board where you can read what other young people have to say about this and what they have done to help them cope.
It can take a lot of courage to get in contact and ask for help, so well done.
Take care,
Sam
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.
