Puberty

Changes Happen — Here’s What to Expect 

Puberty is that in-between world — when your body, mind, and emotions start transforming into a more adult version of you. One day your jeans fit fine, the next day they don’t. You start to notice new smells, new feelings, new thoughts. It’s not chaos — it’s your body learning a new rhythm. Everyone goes through it, just at different paces and in different ways. 

What’s Actually Happening? 

Inside your body, your brain sends a signal — it’s go time. The pituitary gland (a tiny organ in your brain) starts releasing special hormones. These hormones — estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — are like messengers that tell your body it’s time to grow and mature. 

You might notice: 

• Your body shape is changing 

• Hair growing where it didn’t before (Armpit, Pubic regions) 

• Skin getting oilier (hello, pimples) 

• Sweat and body odour become stronger 

• Your emotions feel like a rollercoaster 

All of this is normal. Puberty usually starts anytime between 8 and 15, and can take up to 4–6 years to fully unfold. No rush. Your timeline is yours. 

 For Girls  

The first sign is usually breast development — small, sometimes tender lumps under the nipples. Then comes hair growth in your armpits and around your genitals. Your hips may widen, your body starts to store more fat, and eventually, you’ll begin to menstruate. 

Periods usually start between the ages of 9 and 15. It’s your body’s way of preparing for the possibility of pregnancy, but it’s also just a sign that your hormones are in motion. Don’t panic — it’s part of growing up, and you’ll learn to manage it. You might also notice white discharge in your underwear before your first period — totally normal. 

Growth spurts happen, too — sometimes you’ll grow taller really fast, and other times you’ll plateau for a while. Stretch marks might appear. Your skin, voice, and even your hair texture can shift slightly. Puberty doesn’t follow a rulebook. 

 For Boys  

For most boys, puberty starts with the testicles growing bigger, then the penis follows. You’ll notice hair appearing under your arms, on your face, and sometimes on your chest or legs. 

Your voice deepens — it might crack or squeak for a while (don’t worry, everyone’s been there). You may also experience wet dreams, where semen is released while you’re asleep. It’s not weird; it’s just how your body practices reproduction. 

You’ll get taller, stronger, and your shoulders might broaden. You may also notice more sweat, acne, or body odour. Again, it’s all part of your system syncing with your hormones. 

Your Emotions Will Shift Too 

You might wake up feeling like you could take over the world, and by lunchtime you’re just… ugh. That’s the hormones again. They don’t only change your body — they also affect your brain chemistry. 

You might feel: 

• More self-conscious or easily embarrassed 

• Attracted to people in new ways 

• Frustrated or angry for no apparent reason 

• Craving more privacy or independence 

All of this is part of developing your identity. The best thing you can do? Be patient with yourself. Talk to people you trust — a parent, sibling, friend, or counsellor. You’re learning who you are, and that takes time. 

Hygiene & Body Care Tips 

• Shower daily, especially if you sweat a lot. 

• Use deodorant to manage new body odours. 

• Wash your face twice a day —a gentle cleanser, no harsh scrubbing. 

• Change your underwear every day. 

• For girls: keep pads, tampons, or period underwear handy; accidents happen. 

• Don’t use perfumed soaps inside your private parts — they can cause irritation. 

• For boys: wash gently under the foreskin if uncircumcised. 

• Eat real food, drink water, move your body, rest. Growth takes energy. 

When to Check In with a Health Worker 

• Puberty starts too early (before 8) or too late (after 15) 

• Irregular or painful periods that stop suddenly 

• Unusual discharge, swelling, or itching 

• Severe acne or sudden hair loss 

• Emotions or mood swings that feel too heavy to handle alone 

Remember 

Your body isn’t betraying you — it’s evolving. Every stretch mark, every pimple, every new feeling is part of your becoming. Puberty doesn’t happen overnight, but every day, your body learns something new about who you’re meant to be. You don’t have to rush the process. Just grow, breathe, and ask questions when you need to.