Who goes through puberty?
Everyone!
Puberty usually starts from between 8 and 14 years old, and most people will start puberty around age 11 or 12.
Changes usually continue for a few years after starting puberty, and most people will finish puberty by the time they are 18.
Puberty starts differently for each person, so try not to compare yourself to others. For some the first sign may be getting their period, whilst for others it may be growing hair in new places!
Everyone will go through puberty at some point, no matter their sex or gender, but changes will look different depending on your biological sex.
What is sex?
Sex refers to a person’s body and biology, and includes things like chromosomes, hormones and reproductive organs. When someone is born, they are labelled as a boy or girl depending on their genitals. When a baby has a penis and testicles, they will be labelled as a boy (male) – this is known as ‘assigned male at birth’. When a baby has a vulva and vagina, they will be labelled as a girl (female) – this is known as ‘assigned female at birth’.
Some people are intersex, which means that their body doesn’t fit into the boxes of male or female, and they may experience puberty differently. You can find out more about being intersex on the NHS website.
For some people, their sex does not match the gender that they feel inside, which is usually known as being transgender or non-binary. This might mean that they have a penis but identity as a girl or non-binary, or they may have a vulva but identify as a boy or non-binary.
Bodies and anatomy
Before we talk about the changes that can happen, it’s important that we know about our bodies and the names for the different parts.
Vulva and vagina
Often people use the word ‘vagina’ to refer to the external genitals of someone assigned female at birth, but this is called the vulva! The vagina is just the internal tube that goes from the outside and leads to the cervix (the entrance to the womb).
The vulva includes all the bits on the outside that we can see, including the inner and outer labia, the vaginal opening, the urethra, the clitoris, the clitoral hood, and the mons pubis.
Vagina
The vagina is the muscular tube between the vulva and the cervix which connects your womb to the outside world. This is where babies and periods come out of, and where tampons and period cups are inserted into. The vaginal opening is the entrance that can be seen from the outside.
Outer labia
The outer labia (or labia majora) refer to the outer folds of skin to the sides the vulva where pubic hair grows.
Inner labia
The inner labia (or labia minora) refer to the inner folds of skin that sit just inside of the outer labia. These comes in all different shapes, sizes and colours, and can hang lower than the outer labia or be tucked inside.
Urethra
The urethra is the muscular tube that connects the bladder to the outside, and is where wee comes out of. The urethral opening is a small hole between the vaginal opening and clitoris.
Clitoris
The part of the clitoris that can be seen is called the glans clitoris, and is usually seen as a small bump at the top of the inner labia, although it can vary in size from person to person. The purpose of the clitoris is for pleasure, and it can be very sensitive to touch. Although we can only see the small bump of the glans, the clitoris is actually a much larger internal organ measuring at around 10cm long!
Clitoral hood
The clitoral hood is skin that surrounds the clitoris to protect it from being irritated, as the clitoris can be very sensitive with thousands of nerve endings.
Mons pubis
The mons pubis is the section of skin above the labia that grows pubic hair.
Anus
The anus is not part of the vulva, but is the hole where poo comes out of.
The Uterus
The internal reproductive system of someone with a vagina consists of the uterus (also known as the womb), ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and the vagina.
Uterus/womb
The uterus is a muscular organ where a baby will grow when someone is pregnant. You can find out more about how a baby is made on the Pregnancy and Reproduction page.
Ovaries
The ovaries are where egg cells are kept, which are required to make a baby. One (sometimes more) of these eggs are released during ovulation roughly each month during a menstrual cycle. Find out more about the menstrual cycle on the Periods page.
Fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and is where an egg will travel down during ovulation to enter the uterus.
Cervix
The cervix is a ring of muscle that connects the uterus to the vagina. It has a small hole in it that allows things like period blood to come out, and sperm to enter.
Vagina
The vagina is the muscular tube between the vulva and the cervix which connects your womb to the outside world. This is where babies and periods come out of, and where tampons and period cups are inserted into.
Penis and testicles
Penis
The penis is an organ consisting of a number of parts including the shaft, glans and foreskin. The two main purposes of the penis are to carry wee out of the body, and to carry semen out of the body during ejaculation which contains sperm and helps with making a baby.
What is ejaculation?
Ejaculation is when semen is released through the penis, usually during sex or masturbation. Semen contains thousands of sperm cells that, when joined with an egg, can create a baby. You can find out more about how a baby is made on the Pregnancy and Reproduction page.
Shaft
The shaft is the main, longer part of the penis which connect the rest of the body to the glans (head) of the penis.
Glans
The glans is the head of the penis, and is covered by foreskin unless someone has had this skin removed (circumcision).
Foreskin
The foreskin is the fold of skin that covers the glans of the penis. When someone has an erection and the penis goes hard, the foreskin will often move back to uncover the glans. Some people have their foreskins removed for medical or cultural reasons – this is called circumcision.
Urethra
The urethra is the muscular tube that connects the bladder to the outside, and is where wee comes out of. It is also connected to the testicles and is where semen comes out of during ejaculation.
Scrotum
The scrotum is the sac of skin at the base of the penis that holds the testicles.
Testicles
The testicles sit inside of the scrotum hanging outside of the body and contain thousands of sperm cells. The testicles also produce a hormone called testosterone which is one of the hormones that plays a big role in puberty.
Changes
Puberty comes with a lot of different changes to develop you from being a child into an adult. These changes happen at different times for everyone, and that’s totally normal! Here’s what you might notice:
Changes for everyone
- Your body will grow taller, sometimes happening very quickly!
- Your muscles will grow and you may notice differences in your body shape.
- Growing body hair on your face, legs, armpits, genitals and lots of other places.
- You produce more sweat which can lead to body odour.
- You may get spots on your face and body.
- Your hair may get greasier due to your scalp producing more oils.
- Your voice will deepen.
- You may start to feel sexual feelings in your body or towards other people.
- You may experience emotional changes and get mood swings.
Changes for people with a vulva
- You will get discharge from your vagina, which is a white or clear fluid that helps to keep your vagina clean.
- Your periods will start.
- Your breasts and nipples will begin to grow and change.
- Your vulva may change in shape, size and colour.
Changes for people with a penis
- Your penis and testicles will grow larger and your testicles will begin to produce semen.
- You may experience erections – when your penis becomes hard. This can happen if you have sexual feelings but also at random times.
- You may experience wet dreams, which is when you ejaculate whilst you are asleep.
- Your voice may sound like it’s ‘cracking’ or ‘squeaking’ as it deepens – this is often called your voice ‘breaking’ but nothing actually breaks!
Keeping clean
When you go through puberty, you may have to take extra steps to keep clean as your body changes and produces more oil, sweat, smells and bodily fluids.
Cleaning your body
As you go through puberty, your body starts to sweat more, and this can cause you to smell more, which is totally normal! Washing your whole body every day with soap and water and changing into clean clothes each day helps keep you fresh and clean. You may also want to wear a deodorant which helps with sweat and smell coming from your underarms.
Washing your face
You may find that your skin feels oilier and you might get spots on your face. It’s extra important after puberty starts to make sure that you wash your face every day with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Try not to pop any spots that come up, even though it can be tempting, as it can make them worse.
Cleaning your genitals
Your genitals are sensitive, so they need gentle care to avoid irritation or infection. It’s best to wash using just your hands and avoid using cloths, sponges or loofahs which can cause irritation.
If you have a vulva and vagina, use warm water to clean the outside, making sure to get into the folds of the labia and clitoral hood. Make sure that you don’t wash inside the vagina as it cleans itself and washing inside can cause infections.
If you have a penis and testicles, use warm water and mild, unscented soap to clean the whole area, pulling your foreskin back to clean underneath.
Washing your hair
Hair gets greasier quicker during puberty because of the extra oils produced, so you may find you need to wash your hair more frequently. All hair types are different so there isn’t a correct amount to wash your hair – some people will wash every day and others once a week. Make sure you use a shampoo that suits your hair and notice what works best for you.
Body hair
Some people may choose to remove body and facial hair that grows during puberty – however this isn’t something that you need to do unless you want to, no matter your gender. People can feel pressured to remove their body hair, especially girls, but it is there for a reason and your body is your own – so it’s up to you what you do with it!
There are lots of different ways to remove body hair, including shaving, waxing and creams. Make sure you follow the instructions and speak to an adult for advice.
