Growing up: Information for girls about puberty
What is puberty?
Puberty is a time when your body goes through many changes—you’re growing from a child into a teenager and eventually into an adult. Although puberty doesn’t happen at the same time for everyone, it usually starts between 8 and 13 years for girls.
Puberty isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a process that takes place over several years. To understand what’s happening, it helps to know a bit about how your body works:
- Hormones are natural chemicals that are released in your body.
- Your ovaries are almond-shaped organs that lie just below the fallopian tubes, on each side of your uterus.
- Your uterus is in your lower abdomen, between your bladder and your rectum. When you are pregnant, this is where your baby will grow.
During puberty, your ovaries will start to produce hormones called estrogen and progesterone. Together, they prepare you for your adult body and, eventually, to be able to get pregnant.
Will my body look different?
Changes to your body will happen gradually, over many years:
- First your breasts will start to develop. This starts with just a little swelling under the nipple. It will take several years to reach your full adult breast size. Your genes (which are things on the cells in your body that determine your traits or what characteristics you will inherit from your parents) decide the size of your breasts.
- It is normal for girls to gain weight while they’re going through puberty. Your body becomes curvier and your hips and thighs will get a bit wider.
- You start growing hair under your arms, on your legs and in your pubic area.
- You will also grow in height. This “growth spurt” happens very quickly. You may grow 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 centimetres) or even taller during puberty. Girls usually stop growing taller about 2 years after starting their menstrual period.
Other changes you can expect are:
- More sweat. Since sweat can cause body odour, it helps to take a bath or shower every day and to wear deodorant.
- Some girls develop acne (pimples). Washing your face in the morning and at night with regular soap and water is important. If you do get pimples, acne lotions, creams and special soaps may help. If they don’t work, talk to your doctor about other treatments.
What is menstruation?
About 2 to 2-½ years after your breasts begin to form, you will have your first menstrual period. During menstruation, which usually just called your “period,” you will bleed from your vagina. While you may have some cramps, usually it doesn’t hurt.
Some girls get their first period as early as 9 or 10 years, while others may not get it until later in their teens.
A “cycle” is the amount of time between a girl's periods (the number of days from the start of one period to the start of the next). Girls can have menstrual cycles that last anywhere from 21 to 35 days.
When you’re starting to menstruate, your periods may not be regular. For example, you might have a few periods that are 30 days apart, then go a couple of months without a period. This is normal. It can take up to 2 years for your cycle to become more regular. Remember, no one has exactly the same cycle.
Each menstrual cycle follows this pattern:
- An egg gets ripe and leaves one of your two ovaries. This is called ovulation.
- The day before ovulation, estrogen is released and stimulates the creation of a uterus lining that is thick and cushioned. This is how the uterus gets ready for a possible pregnancy.
- If you have sex around this time and the egg is fertilized by a sperm, it will travel to the uterus and attach itself the cushiony wall. Then it slowly develops into a baby.
- If the egg is not fertilized, it doesn't attach to the wall of the uterus. The uterus doesn’t need the extra tissue lining, so it gets rid of it.
- The blood, tissue, and unfertilized egg leave the uterus, going through the vagina on the way out of your body. This is your period.
- Your period can last anywhere from 2 to 8 days. The amount of blood that comes out of the vagina (menstrual “flow”) is different for everyone. Although you would never measure it, the amount of flow is pretty small—anywhere from a few spoonfuls to less than 1/2 cup (120 millilitres) of blood in total.
Menstruation is a normal, healthy part of being a woman and shouldn’t affect your day-to-day activities. You can still take part in sports and activities such as swimming, horseback riding and physical education classes. In fact, exercising may even help relieve the pain of cramps.
Some medicines, like ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) can help ease the pain of cramps. But if your cramps are so painful that they stop you from doing other things, like going to school or hanging out with friends, talk to your doctor.
Will I feel different?
Just as these hormones are causing all kinds of changes in your body, they also affect how you feel. Emotions during puberty may feel a bit like a roller coaster, you may:
- Be afraid of the changes in your body one minute and excited about them the next.
- Feel awkward or confused.
- Laugh one moment and cry the next.
- Get along and fight with good friends in the same day.
- Feel grown up one day and like a child the next.
- Feel angry at times.
Sometimes, these changes may seem too much to take. You’re not alone. Like other teens, you’re going through a period of transition in your life. It can be both scary and exciting at the same time.
Taking care of yourself during puberty and throughout life
Sleep
Your changing body needs sleep—lots of it. Puberty takes up a lot of energy. Most teens need at least 8-½ hours of sleep each night. Some need more than 9 hours.
Food and exercise
Since a growing body needs food, you will often be hungry. Eating healthy food and being physically active are important to your health. Try to make physical activity and exercise part of your daily routine. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Do things where you’re moving, not sitting. Spend less time watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Internet.
- Walk more—to school, the mall, a friend’s house.
- Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.
- Walk the dog, rake the leaves, or shovel snow.
- Spend time on activities you enjoy: skating, swimming, biking, running.
If you are worried about your weight, or want advice on healthy living, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can suggest a healthy eating and exercise program for you to follow.
What else should I do?
- Stay away from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. All of these can harm your body and are addictive.
- Puberty can cause you to have lots of different feelings and emotions. Talk to people you trust. This can help you cope with the changes you are experiencing.
For more information:
Reviewed by the CPS Adolescent Health Committee and Public Education Subcommittee.
Updated: March 2008
This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Canadian Paediatric Society
2305 St. Laurent Blvd.,
Ottawa, Ont. K1G 4J8
Phone: 613-526-9397, fax: 613-526-3332 |
