Puberty
Hear this word Puberty
Image description: Common changes during puberty
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What Is It?
Puberty is when a person’s body starts to change from a child’s body into an adult body. Puberty usually starts between age 8 and age 14. Puberty includes many common physical, emotional, and social changes. These changes start at different times and happen at different rates, depending on the person. Puberty is a natural part of human development, but society, friends, and family may share helpful or unhelpful messages about puberty that can also impact people’s experiences of puberty.
An Example
Avery is 15 years old and worried because they are not growing taller or growing facial hair like their friends. Avery goes to a school counselor who shares that it is natural for people to experience puberty in different ways and to start at different times. The counselor also shares that young people can also go to a health care provider to make sure that their overall health is okay and to get more support.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- Everyone goes through puberty, but each person experiences puberty in their own way. There are many different changes that can happen during puberty. Some of those changes might include growth spurts, acne, increased sweating, body hair, stronger emotions, sexual feelings, wanting more privacy, and to spend more time with friends.
- Puberty is also when people with a penis start to create sperm and people with a uterus begin to menstruate.
- If a young person is struggling with the changes that happen during puberty, they can speak with a trusted adult, counselor, or health care provider for support.
Think about
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What memories do you have about puberty?
- Everyone goes through puberty, but our experiences during puberty, adolescence, and adulthood are all different.
- If you want to share how you’re feeling or what you’re experiencing, reach out to someone you trust or communicate with a mental health provider like a therapist for support.
What questions do you have? What else do you want to learn?
To learn more, explore websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or visit other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit like our online game, Our Stories, Our Journeys: A Sexual Health Game!