girls will only know how to answer this?

Question

okay i have a few questions, what is the normal age a woman stops growing? Are tampons uncomfortable, and i'm nervous to start using them for pain reasons and becuase i'm affraid they'll not "catch the blood? if you have an answer to either question that would be great.
Thanks a lot

Answer 1

girls stop growing in their late teens, but it depends on the person.

you don't even feel tampons if they're in correctly, so don't worry about that.

Answer 2

Really, you need to look at your family line for height. But normally girls stop growing at the age of 17, if not earlier.

For me, Tampons are uncomfortable, but that is because I am too tense when I put it in. You just need to follow the directions and be calm. I am going to try again on my next period.

Answer 3

You stop growing in your 20s.

Tampons are not uncomfortable when inserted correctly. Sometimes I can feel it and it feels weird, but its not uncomfortable.

They will catch the blood, just be sure to use the correct absorbency or change them often.

Answer 4

well you never can really tell when a woman stops growing. But for the tampon question. Just get a light size tampon ( smallest tampon) and just try it. and if you have to change it more than 4 hours apart . than go to a heavier size , you will never truly know how they feel. to me i don't hardly feel them .

Answer 5

STICK a dildo in once A BIG ONE then nothing will hurt after that.

Answer 6

Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. Puberty is initiated by hormone signals from the brain to the gonads (the ovaries and testes). In response, the gonads produce a variety of hormones that stimulate the growth, function, or transformation of brain, bones, muscle, skin, breasts, and reproductive organs. Growth accelerates in the first half of puberty and reaches completion by the end. Before puberty, body differences between boys and girls are almost entirely restricted to the genitalia. During puberty, major differences of size, shape, composition, and function develop in many body structures and systems. The most obvious of these are referred to as secondary sex characteristics.

In a strict sense, the term puberty (and this article) refers to the bodily changes of sexual maturation rather than the psychosocial and cultural aspects of adolescent development. Adolescence is the period of psychological and social transition between childhood and adulthood. Adolescence largely overlaps the period of puberty, but its boundaries are less precisely defined and it refers as much to the psychosocial and cultural characteristics of development during the teen years as to the physical changes of puberty.Differences between male and female puberty

1 Follicle-Stimulating Hormone - FSH
2 Luteinizing Hormone - LH
3 Progesteron
4 Estrogen
5 Hypothalamus
6 Pituitary gland
7 Ovary
8 Pregnancy - hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin)
9 Testosteron
10 Testicle
11 Incentives
12 Prolactin - PRLTwo of the most significant differences between puberty in girls and puberty in boys are the age at which it begins, and the major sex steroids involved.

Although there is a wide range of normal ages, on average, girls begin the process of puberty about 1-2 years earlier than boys (with average ages of nine to fourteen for girls and ten to seventeen for boys), and reach completion in a shorter time.[1] Girls attain adult height and reproductive maturity about 4 years after the first physical changes of puberty appear. In contrast, boys accelerate more slowly but continue to grow for about 6 years after the first visible pubertal changes.

The hormone that dominates female development is estradiol, an estrogen. While estradiol promotes growth of breasts and uterus, it is also the principal hormone driving the pubertal growth spurt and epiphyseal maturation and closure.[2] Estradiol levels rise earlier and reach higher levels in women than in men.

In boys, testosterone, an androgen, is the principal sex steroid. While testosterone produces all the male changes characterized as virilization, a substantial product of testosterone metabolism in males is estradiol, though levels rise later and more slowly than in girls. The male growth spurt also begins later, accelerates more slowly, and lasts longer before the epiphyses fuse. Although boys are 2 cm taller than girls before puberty begins, adult men are on average about 13 cm (5.2 inches) taller than women. Most of this sex difference in adult heights is attributable to a later onset of the growth spurt and a slower progression to completion.[3] a direct result of the later rise and lower adult male levels of estradiol.


[edit] Physical changes in boys

[edit] Testicular size, function, and fertility
In boys, testicular enlargement is the first physical manifestation of puberty (and is termed gonadarche).[4] Testes in prepubertal boys change little in size from about 1 year of age to the onset of puberty, averaging about 2–3 cc in volume and about 1.5-2 cm in length. Testicular size continues to increase throughout puberty, reaching maximal adult size about 6 years later.[5] While 18-20 cc is reportedly an average adult size, there is wide variation in the normal population.[6]

The testes have two primary functions: to produce hormones and to produce sperm. The Leydig cells produce testosterone (as described below), which in turn produces most of the changes of male sexual maturation and maintains libido. However, most of the increasing bulk of testicular tissue is spermatogenic tissue (primarily Sertoli and interstitial cells). The development of sperm production and fertility in males is not as well documented. Sperm can be detected in the morning urine of most boys after the first year of pubertal changes (and occasionally earlier).


[edit] Genitalia
A boy's penis grows little from the fourth year of life until puberty. After the penile growth of early infancy the average childhood penile length is about 7 cm. The prepubertal genitalia are described as stage 1. Within months after growth of the testes begins, rising levels of testosterone promote growth of the penis and scrotum. This earliest discernible beginning of pubertal growth of the genitalia is referred to as stage 2.[7] The penis continues to grow until about 18 years of age, reaching an average stretched adult size of about 13 cm.[8]

Although erections and orgasm occur in prepubertal boys, they become much more common during puberty, accompanied by a markedly increased libido. Ejaculation becomes possible early in puberty. Prior to this, boys may experience dry orgasms. Emission of seminal fluid may occur due to masturbation or spontaneously during sleep (commonly termed a wet dream, and more clinically called a nocturnal emission). The ability to ejaculate is a fairly early event in puberty compared to the other characteristics.[9] However, in parallel to the irregularity of the first few periods of a girl, for the first one or two years after a boy's first ejaculation, his seminal fluid may contain few active sperm.

If the foreskin of a boy does not become retractable during childhood, it normally begins to retract during puberty. This occurs as a result of the increased production of testosterone and other hormones in the body.


[edit] Pubic hair
Pubic hair often appears on a boy shortly after the genitalia begin to grow. As in girls, the first appearance of pubic hair is termed pubarche and the pubic hairs are usually first visible at the dorsal (abdominal) base of the penis. The first few hairs are described as stage 2. Stage 3 is usually reached within another 6–12 months, when the hairs are too numerous to count. By stage 4, the pubic hairs densely fill the "pubic triangle." Stage 5 refers to spread of pubic hair to the thighs and upward towards the navel as part of the developing abdominal hair.

In the months and years following the appearance of pubic hair, other areas of skin which respond to androgens develop heavier hair (androgenic hair) in roughly the following sequence: underarm (axillary) hair, perianal hair, upper lip hair, sideburn (preauricular) hair, periareolar hair, and the rest of the beard area. Arm, leg, chest, abdominal, and back hair become heavier more gradually. There is a large range in amount of body hair among adult men, and significant differences in timing and quantity of hair growth among different ethnic groups.

Height growth
In boys, growth begins to accelerate about 9 months after the first signs of testicular enlargement and the peak year of the growth spurt occurs about 2 years after the onset of puberty, reaching a peak velocity of about 8.5–12 cm or 3.5–5 inches per year. The feet and hands experience their growth spurt first, followed by the limbs, and finally ending in the trunk. Epiphyseal closure and adult height are reached more slowly, at an average age of about 16.3 years. As in girls, this last growth primarily involves the spine rather than the limbs.


[edit] Gigantism: Precocious puberty
The name to a particular growth defect that occurs during childhood, from over-exposure to growth hormone. Precocious puberty and a variety of conditions associated with excessive amounts of testosterone or estrogen in childhood will result in tallness by mid-childhood. However, the acceleration of bone maturation by the early rise of estradiol results in early completion of growth, and adult heights for these children may actually be below average for genetic potential. The possible symptoms are Hyperthyroidism, XYY syndrome, Overnutrition, Acromegaly etc.


[edit] Male musculature and body shape
By the end of puberty, adult men have heavier bones and nearly twice as much skeletal muscle. Some of the bone growth (e.g., shoulder width and jaw) is disproportionately greater, resulting in noticeably different male and female skeletal shapes. The average adult male has about 150% of the lean body mass of an average female, and about 50% of the body fat.

This muscle develops mainly during the later stages of puberty, and muscle growth can continue even after a male is biologically adult. The peak of the so-called "strength spurt," the rate of muscle growth, is attained about one year after a male experiences his peak growth rate.


[edit] Body odor, skin changes, acne
Rising levels of androgens can change the fatty acid composition of perspiration, resulting in a more "adult" body odor. As in girls, another androgen effect is increased secretion of oil (sebum) from the skin and the resultant variable amounts of acne. Acne can be prevented by Antibacterial face washes and may diminish at the end of puberty. If acne becomes worse contact your GP.


[edit] Breast development: pubertal gynecomastia
Estradiol is produced from testosterone in male puberty as well as female, and male breasts often respond to the rising estradiol levels. This is termed gynecomastia. In most boys, the breast development is minimal, similar to what would be termed a "breast bud" in a girl, but in many boys, breast growth is substantial. It usually occurs after puberty is underway, may increase for a year or two, and usually diminishes by the end of puberty. It is increased by extra adipose tissue if the boy is overweight.

Although this is a normal part of male puberty for perhaps half of boys, breast development is usually as unwelcome as upper lip hair in girls, and can be removed surgically if the boy's distress is substantial.The first physical sign of puberty in girls is usually a firm, tender lump under the center of the areola(e) of one or both breasts, occurring on average at about 10.5 years of age.[10] This is referred to as thelarche. By the widely used Tanner staging of puberty, this is stage 2 of breast development (stage 1 is a flat, prepubertal breast). Within six to 12 months, the swelling has clearly begun in both sides, softened, and can be felt and seen extending beyond the edges of the areolae. This is stage 3 of breast development. By another 12 months (stage 4), the breasts are approaching mature size and shape, with areolae and papillae forming a secondary mound. In most young women, this mound disappears into the contour of the mature breast (stage 5), although there is so much variation in sizes and shapes of adult breasts that stages 4 and 5 are not always separately identifiable.[11]


[edit] Pubic hair
Pubic hair is often the second unequivocal change of puberty noticed, usually within a few months of thelarche.[12] It is referred to as pubarche and the pubic hairs are usually visible first along the labia. The first few hairs are described as Tanner stage 2.[11] Stage 3 is usually reached within another 6-12 months, when the hairs are too numerous to count and appear on the pubic mound as well. By stage 4, the pubic hairs densely fill the "pubic triangle." Stage 5 refers to spread of pubic hair to the thighs and sometimes as abdominal hair upward towards the navel. In about 15% of girls, the earliest pubic hair appears before breast development begins.[12]


[edit] Vagina, uterus, ovaries
The mucosal surface of the vagina also changes in response to increasing levels of estrogen, becoming thicker and a duller pink in color (in contrast to the brighter red of the prepubertal vaginal mucosa).[13] Whitish secretions (physiologic leukorrhea) are a normal effect of estrogen as well.[10] In the next 2 years following thelarche, the uterus and ovaries increase in size, and follicles in the ovaries reach larger sizes.[14] The ovaries usually contain small follicular cysts visible by ultrasound.[15][16]


[edit] Menstruation and fertility
The first menstrual bleeding is referred to as menarche, and typically occurs about 2 years after thelarche.[12] The average age of menarche in American girls is about 12.4 years.[12] Menses (menstrual periods) are not always regular and monthly in the first 2 years after menarche.[17] Ovulation is necessary for fertility, but may or may not accompany the earliest menses.[18] According to one study, about 80% of menses are anovulatory in the first year after menarche, and about 50% in the second year, but only 10% of girls were not ovulating after 5 years.[17] However, initiation of ovulation after menarche is not inevitable, and a high proportion of girls with continued irregularity several years from menarche will continue to have prolonged irregularity and anovulation, and are at higher risk for reduced fertility.[19] The word nubility is used commonly in the social sciences to designate achievement of fertility.


[edit] Body and facial hair
In the months and years following the appearance of pubic hair, other areas of skin which respond to androgens develop heavier hair (androgenic hair) in roughly the following sequence: underarm (axillary) hair, perianal hair, upper lip hair, sideburn (preauricular) hair, periareolar hair, and hairs along the linea nigra between from the pubic hair to the umbilicus. The amount of hair in those areas is less than the male amount. There is a large range in amount of body hair among adult women, and significant differences in timing and quantity of hair growth among different ethnic groups.


[edit] Body shape, fat distribution, and body composition
During this period, also in response to rising levels of estrogen, the lower half of the pelvis and thus hips widen (providing a larger birth canal).[11][20] Fat tissue increases to a greater percentage of the body composition than in males, especially in the typical female distribution of breasts, hips, buttocks, thighs, upper arms, and pubis. Progressive differences in fat distribution as well as sex differences in local skeletal growth contribute to the typical female body shape by the end of puberty. At age 10 years, the average girl has 6% more body fat than the average boy, but by the end of puberty the average difference in nearly 50%.[21]


[edit] Body odor, skin changes, and acne
Rising levels of androgens can change the fatty acid composition of perspiration, resulting in a more "adult" body odor. This often precedes thelarche and pubarche by 1 or more years. Another androgen effect is increased secretion of oil (sebum) from the skin. This change increases the susceptibility to acne, a characteristic affliction of puberty greatly variable in its severity.[22]


[edit] Variations
Typical puberty is described above, but many children vary with respect to timing of onset, tempo, steadiness of continuation, and sequence of events.


[edit] Timing of onset
Puberty is a process with a gradual onset beginning with changes of neuronal function in the hypothalamus, resulting in rising hormonal signals between brain and gonads, proceeding to gonadal growth and production of sex steroids, which in turn induce changes in responsive parts of the body. The definition of onset, therefore, depends on the perspective (e.g., hormonal versus physical) and purpose (establishing population normal standards, clinical care of early or late children, or a variety of other social purposes). The most commonly used definition of onset for both social and medical purposes is the appearance of the first physical changes described in this section of this article, but it should be understood that these physical changes are the first outward signs of preceding neural, hormonal, and gonadal function changes that are usually impossible or impractical to detect.

The age at which puberty begins can vary widely between individuals and between populations. Age of puberty is affected by both genetic factors and by environmental factors such as nutritional state or social circumstances. Timing may also be affected by environmental factors (exogenous hormones and environmental substances with hormone-like effects) and there is even evidence that life experiences may play a role as well.

Ethnic/racial differences have been recognized for centuries. For example, the average age of menarche in various populations surveyed in the last several decades has ranged from 12.0 to 18.5 years. The earliest mean is reported for African-American girls and the oldest for high altitude subsistence populations in Asia. However, it is clear that much of the higher age averages reflect nutritional limitations more than genetic differences and can change within a few generations with a substantial change in diet. The median age of menarche for a population may be an index of the proportion of undernourished girls in the population, and the width of the spread may reflect unevenness of wealth and food distribution in a population.


[edit] Genetic influence
Various studies have found direct genetic effects to account for at least 50% of the variation of timing of puberty in well-nourished populations. The genetic association of timing is strongest between mothers and daughters. The specific genes affecting timing are not defined yet. Among the candidates are the androgen and LH receptor genes.


[edit] Environmental factors
If genetic factors account for half of the variation of pubertal timing, environment factors are clearly important as well. One of the earliest observed environmental effects is that puberty occurs later in children raised at higher altitudes. The most important of the environmental influences is clearly nutrition, but a number of others have been identified, all which affect timing of female puberty and menarche more clearly than male puberty.


[edit] Nutritional influence
Nutritional factors are the strongest and most obvious environmental factors affecting timing of puberty. Girls are especially sensitive to nutritional regulation because they must contribute all of the nutritional support to a growing fetus. Surplus calories (beyond growth and activity requirements) are reflected in the amount of body fat, which signals to the brain the availability of resources for initiation of puberty and fertility.

Much evidence suggests that for most of the last few centuries, nutritional differences accounted for majority of variation of pubertal timing in different populations, and even among social classes in the same population. Recent worldwide increased consumption of animal protein, other changes in nutrition, and increases in childhood fatness have resulted in falling ages of puberty, mainly in those populations with the higher previous ages. In many populations the amount of variation attributable to nutrition is shrinking.

Although available dietary energy (simple calories) is the most important dietary influence on timing of puberty, quality of the diet plays a role as well. Lower protein intakes and higher plant fiber intakes, as occur with typical vegetarian diets, are associated with later onset and slower progression of female puberty.

Studies have shown that calcium deficiency is a cause of late puberty, irregular and painful, cramping during menstruation with excessive blood loss, and lowered immune response to infections in young girls. This could be from a deficient diet or lack of vitamin D from too little sun exposure. This lack of calcium could predispose them to osteoporosis later in life.


[edit] Physical activity and exercise
The average level of daily physical activity has also been shown to affect timing of puberty, especially female. A high level of exercise, whether for athletic or body image purposes, or for daily subsistence, reduces energy calories available for reproduction and slows puberty. The exercise effect is often amplified by a lower body fat mass.


[edit] Physical illness
Many chronic diseases can delay puberty in both boys and girls. Those that involve chronic inflammation or interfere with nutrition have the strongest effect. In the western world, inflammatory bowel disease and tuberculosis have been notorious for such an effect in the last century, while in areas of the underdeveloped world, chronic parasite infections are widespread.


[edit] Environmental chemicals and hormones
There is theoretical concern, and animal evidence, that environmental hormones and chemicals may affect aspects of prenatal or postnatal sexual development in humans. Large amounts of incompletely metabolized estrogens and progestagens from pharmaceutical products are excreted into the sewage systems of large cities, and are sometimes detectable in the environment. Sex steroids are sometimes used in cattle farming but have been banned in chicken meat production for 40 years. Although agricultural laws regulate use to minimize accidental human consumption, the rules are largely self-enforced in the United States. Significant exposure of a child to hormones or other substances that activate estrogen or androgen receptors could produce some or all of the changes of puberty.

Harder to detect as an influence on puberty are the more diffusely distributed environmental chemicals like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl), which can bind and trigger estrogen receptors.

More obvious degrees of partial puberty from direct exposure of young children to small but significant amounts of pharmaceutical sex steroids from exposure at home may be detected during medical evaluation for precocious puberty, but mild effects and the other potential exposures outlined above would not.


[edit] Stress and social factors
Some of the least understood
Some of the least understood environmental influences on timing of puberty are social and psychological. In comparison with the effects of genetics, nutrition, and general health, social influences are small, shifting timing by a few months rather than years. Mechanisms of these social effects are unknown, though a variety of physiological processes, including pheromones, have been suggested based on animal research.

The most important part of a child's psychosocial environment is the family, and most of the social influence research has investigated features of family structure and function in relation to earlier or later female puberty. Most of the studies have reported that menarche may occur a few months earlier in girls in high-stress households, whose fathers are absent during their early childhood, who have a stepfather in the home, who are subjected to prolonged sexual abuse in childhood, or who are adopted from a developing country at a young age. Conversely, menarche may be slightly later when a girl grows up in a large family with a biological father present.

More extreme degrees of environmental stress, such as wartime refugee status with threat to physical survival, have been found to be associated with delay of maturation, an effect that may be compounded by dietary inadequacy.

Most of these reported social effects are small and our understanding is incomplete. Most of these "effects" are statistical associations revealed by epidemiologic surveys. Statistical associations are not necessarily causal, and a variety of covariables and alternative explanations can be imagined. Effects of such small size can never be confirmed or refuted for any individual child. Furthermore, interpretations of the data are politically controversial because of the ease with which this type of research can be used for political advocacy. Accusations of bias based on political agenda sometimes accompany scientific criticism.

Another limitation of the social research is that nearly all of it has concerned girls, partly because female puberty requires greater physiologic resources and partly because it involves a unique event (menarche) that makes survey research into female puberty much simpler than male. More detail is provided in the menarche article.


[edit] Average timing for American children
Some of the most complete reference data are available for American children and are included here. Average age for first signs of breast development in girls is about 10.5 years. Average age for first signs of testicular enlargement in boys is 11.1 years. See Tables below for approximate average ages and ranges for other milestones of physical development of North American children.

Duration of puberty (time from onset to completion) varies less between children than does the age of onset. Duration of puberty in girls from onset of breast development to cessation of growth is roughly 5 years. Duration of puberty in boys from first testicular enlargement to cessation of growth is about 6 years.

Table 1 provides 3rd, 50th, and 97th percentiles for attainment of selected stages by American girls, based on NCHS data collected in the 1970s and reported in 1985 (Tanner et al., 1985). In these tables, B, PH, and G refer to the Tanner stages of physical puberty: B is breast, PH is pubic hair, and G is genitalia (penis and testes). B1, PH1, and G1 are the prepubertal stages of each of these, while B2, PH2, and G2 are the earliest signs of puberty. B5, PH5, and G5 are adult stages at the end of puberty. The Tanner stage article contains links to fuller explanations of the specific stages. All three tables below express ages as years and months (y and m).

Table 1: Ages of attainment of pubertal stages of American girls Stages 3rd percentile 50th percentile 97th percentile
B2 8y 10 m 10y 11 m 13y 0 m
B3 9y 10 m 11y 11 m 14y 0 m
B4 10y 6 m 12y 11 m 14y 5 m
PH2 9y 0 m 11y 3 m 13y 6 m
PH3 9y 8 m 11y 11 m 14y 3 m
PH4 10y 5 m 12y 7 m 14y 7 m
Menarche 10y 10 m 12y 9 m 14y 7 m
Peak height velocity 9y 0 m 11y 6 m 14y 0 m
Variations of tempo and progression
Tempo is the speed at which the process of pubertal changes progresses from beginning to end. The duration of puberty generally varies less than timing of onset, and approximates 4 years for girls and 6 for boys (from first physical changes to attainment of adult height). Nevertheless, some healthy children can proceed through puberty at a faster or slower tempo than most.

An interruption of progression of puberty is usually, but not always, due to abnormal causes such as malnutrition or anorexia nervosa. Perhaps the most common apparently healthy variation is apparent interruption for a couple of years just after attainment of an early sign of initiation. For instance, some girls may seem to develop stage 2 breast buds at 6 or 7 years of age with no other signs of puberty, and nothing may happen for 2 or 3 years. Physicians refer to this as "unsustained puberty."


[edit] Variations of sequence
The sequence of events of pubertal development can occasionally vary. For example, in about 15% of boys and girls, pubarche (the first pubic hairs) can precede, respectively, gonadarche and thelarche by a few months. Rarely, menarche can occur before other signs of puberty in a few girls. These variations deserve medical evaluation because they can occasionally signal a disease.


[edit] Conclusion
In a general sense, the conclusion of puberty is reproductive maturity. Criteria for defining the conclusion may differ for different purposes: attainment of the ability to reproduce, achievement of maximal adult height, maximal gonadal size, or adult sex hormone levels. Maximal adult height is achieved at an average age of 14.5 years for American girls and 16.3 years for American boys. Potential fertility (sometimes termed nubility) usually precedes completion of growth by 1-2 years in girls and 3-4 years in boys. Stage 5 in the tables above typically represents maximal gonadal growth and attainment of adult hormone levelsWhat is puberty? Puberty (PEW-bur-tee) is a major change that happens in your body. It is a time when you grow very fast and your body changes into an adult body. Puberty is the last time of fast growth you will have in your life. Puberty happens over a period of 2 to 4 years, but may last longer. Everyone goes through it. Though it is hard to believe, even your parents went through puberty!

How does puberty start? Puberty starts in your brain. Your brain sends a message to your ovaries that it is time for your body to change. Your ovaries begin to make a special chemical or hormone called estrogen. Estrogen and other hormones cause your body to change in shape and size during puberty. They cause your body to get ready for reproduction (re-pro-DUCK-shun), or having a baby.

When does puberty start? Although puberty usually starts between ages 8 to 13 in girls, it may start earlier or later. Everyone's body changes at a different time. Whether you have breasts at age 10 or have not started your period by age 14, do not worry. Everyone goes through puberty eventually.

What will happen to my body during puberty? Your body will change in the following ways during puberty.

Breast Changes: Your breasts will begin to grow. This is often the first sign you are starting puberty.

Your nipples will get larger and darker. Tiny bumps may form on them.


Your breasts grow full under your nipples first. These are called "breast buds." Your breasts will fill out and fully develop in 1 to 4 years. Some girls have breasts that grow quickly, completely developing in less than 1 year. For other girls, this may take longer.


Your breasts may be sore, tender, and sensitive as they grow. Wearing a bra may give your breasts support and help you to be more comfortable. It may help protect them if they are sensitive or sore. It may help you feel less self-conscious about your breasts.


It is very normal for your breasts to grow unevenly. One breast may be smaller than the other for a while. By the end of puberty, your breasts should be about the same size.

Curves: Girls going through puberty are supposed to gain weight. You may gain 15 or more pounds during puberty. Your body makes more body fat so that you can have fuller breasts, hips, stomach, and thighs. As your hip bones grow wider, your waist will look smaller. These changes help to give your body the shape of an adult woman. If you feel you are fat or are gaining too much weight, talk to a caregiver before trying to diet. Gaining some weight during puberty is important for normal growth. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly may help you stay at the right weight for your size.

Face and Skin Changes: Your skin may become oily and you may get acne (pimples). The blackheads, whiteheads, or red bumps of acne affect nearly every teenager and many young adults. Acne happens when a "plug" of oils and skin gets stuck in a follicle (FALL-ih-kull). A follicle is the pore from which a hair grows. The area around the follicle swells and reddens. You may get acne on your back, chest, and neck. Keep your skin clean so that oil and dirt cannot build up and make your acne worse.

Wash your face 2 times a day with a mild soap that does not have perfume. Use your hands to wash your face. Rubbing your skin hard with a wash cloth may irritate your skin and make your acne worse.


It is OK to wear makeup. Be sure that makeup, creamy lotions, or other skin products you use are less likely to cause pimples. Use water-based makeup, not oil-based. Oil-based makeup may cause your acne to get worse. Use loose powders instead of pressed powders that are made with mineral oil.


Wash off sweat, especially after exercising.
If your acne becomes a real problem, talk to your caregiver about ways to treat it. Ask your caregiver for more information about acne.

Growth Spurts: This may be another early sign that you are starting puberty.

Height: You may grow 2 to 8 inches or even taller during puberty. Girls usually stop growing taller about 2 years after starting to menstruate (have periods).


Hands and Feet: Your feet and hands will grow longer and wider. Your feet may grow faster or finish growing before you see other puberty changes.


Arms, Legs, and Other Body Parts: With so much activity going on in your body, it is common for some body parts to grow faster than others. Your arms and legs may grow longer while your waist looks too short. One side of your face may grow a little faster than the other. Your ears may look too large for your head. All these changes may cause you to feel clumsy and think that you look funny. Hang in there. This is all part of normal growth during puberty. Your body parts should be even (match in size and length) by the time your puberty has ended.

Hair Growth: This is usually one of the first signs of puberty. Hair will grow in your pubic area (the area between your legs) and armpits. At first, it may be scattered and light-colored. As you continue through puberty, your armpit and pubic hair becomes wiry, darker, thicker, and curly. Your arm and leg hair will grow longer and sometimes darker. Some girls begin to shave their legs when this happens.

Menstruation (men-STRAY-shun):

Menstruation means having your "period". It happens about once each month and lasts for 2 to 7 days. Menstruation may start at any time during puberty, but it usually happens after you have other body changes first. It may start after you begin growing taller or after your breasts begin to develop. Menstruation is a normal sign that your body is becoming an adult woman's body. It means that your body is able to get pregnant. Some girls are happy about starting their period, while others may be upset or sad.


You were born with thousands of eggs in your ovaries. Puberty hormones cause your ovaries to release an egg each month. The egg goes down your fallopian tubes and into your uterus. If the egg has been fertilized (joined) with sperm, it will stay in the uterus and grow into a baby. If the egg is not fertilized, it goes out of your body through your vagina. Each month your uterus builds up a lining made of blood cells and tissue. When a woman is pregnant, the lining stays and feeds the fertilized egg. When the woman is not pregnant, the uterus gets rid of the lining. The bloody lining that slides off the uterus each month is your menstrual blood or period. Ask your caregiver for more information about menstruation.


Your first period may come as a real surprise. There is no way to predict when it will start. It may come as a few drops of blood in your panties or it may be a heavier blood flow. You may feel cramps (aches in your belly) before it comes, or nothing at all. Here are some important things to know about menstruation:


You may start out having irregular periods. You should get your period once each month. This may not mean every 30 days. You may have a 21 day cycle or a 28 day cycle. When your period starts, it may be irregular (does not come at the same time each month). You may have one period in 28 days and your next one in 38. In fact, you may not have a period at all some months. This is normal. Your period should become regular in time. Put a small calendar in your purse. Mark the first day (or all the days) of your period each month with an "X". This will help you have a better idea of when your period might come the next month.


You should wear sanitary pads or tampons during your period. Keep tampons or sanitary pads in your purse in case you start your period at an unexpected time.


Change your tampon or sanitary pad every 4 hours or whenever it is full of blood.


Learn about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). This is an uncommon bacterial infection that can happen and is connected with tampon use.


Do not flush tampons down the toilet because they may get stuck in the water pipes.


Do not wear a tampon while you sleep at night. Wear a heavy pad instead.


Only the soft cotton part of the tampon should stay in your vagina. Take the cardboard or plastic tube out after you push the tampon in. Then throw the tube away. Read the directions inside the box off tampons. These directions will tell you how to put tampons in and take them out correctly.


You may smell bad if your pubic area has blood on it. Blood that comes into contact with air smells bad quickly. You may need to bathe more often than once a day if blood goes onto your skin. Wipe your pubic area carefully from front to back after you go to the bathroom.


You may get PMS. PMS or "premenstrual syndrome" is a group of changes you may see and feel before your period. You may have headaches, dizziness, or feel sick to your stomach before your period. You may feel like crying more, feel a little sad, and feel more emotional about everything. PMS may cause you to retain (hold onto) water. Retaining water means that your body tries to keep more body fluid in before and during your period. This may make your breasts tender and cause you to feel bloated, restless, or grumpy. You can help control PMS by doing these things:


Try not to eat foods that have high-salt or high-sugar before or during your period. Even though you may want them, do not eat them. Staying away from these foods will help keep your body from holding onto too much extra water. Some high-salt foods are chips, soda pop, and any food that has salt that you can see on it. High sugar foods are donuts, candy, cookies, and other foods that have a very sweet taste. Instead, eat healthy foods and snack on fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink lots of water. Drinking extra water during the day actually helps your body get rid of body fluid and salt.


Try not to drink or eat foods that have caffeine in them. Eating and drinking caffeine before or during your period may cause you to feel more grumpy. Caffeine may be found in coffee, tea, soda pop, sports drinks and foods, and chocolate.


Eat foods that are high in iron. Your body needs iron to stay strong, have energy, and to make new blood cells. Eat as many iron-rich foods as you can. Examples of high-iron foods are meats and fish, raisins, dark green vegetables, and beans.


Exercise and get plenty of sleep. Exercise may help you feel more comfortable and have more energy around the time of your period. Get 9 or more hours of sleep each night, and take naps or rest during the day when you feel tired.


You may have cramps. Some girls have cramps before and during their period, while others do not. Talk to your caregiver about ways to treat cramps. Your caregiver may have a medicine to give to you or good advice about how to decrease the pain.


Once you start having periods, your body is able to get pregnant at any time. Whether you are having your period or not, you may get pregnant at any time if you have "unprotected" sex. Unprotected sex is having sex without condoms or other types of birth control. You are more likely to catch a sexually transmitted disease (STD) during your period or unprotected sex. All in all, it is best to wait to have sex until you are married.

Strong, New Smell: Body odor is a problem for everyone going through puberty. Your hormones cause your body to have a bad smell. Since your skin glands are growing, you may find that you sweat more. To get rid of or help prevent body odor, take a bath or shower each day. Use deodorant or antiperspirant on your armpits each day. Wear clean clothes that do not have the smell of body odor on them.

Voice Changes: Your voice probably will not crack and squeak like a boy's voice does during puberty, but your voice will change! During puberty, your voice will become stronger and a little deeper. Estrogen causes your larynx (LAIR-inks) or voice box to grow and your vocal cords to become longer and thicker. Once your vocal cords are finished growing, you will have a strong, full adult voice.

How will I feel during puberty? It is normal to have some or all of these during puberty.

Different thoughts and emotions: You may feel confused or awkward. You may get upset or mad at friends or family very easily. You may be moody without understanding why. You may be laughing one moment and crying the next. With so many hormones racing through your body, this can be very normal. However, if you are very sad all the time for more than 1 week, talk to someone. You may be depressed and need help. Talk to a friend or parent, teacher, counselor, youth leader, or parent of one of your friends. There are many adults who care about your feelings and may be able to help you.


Tired and hungry: Do you feel like you cannot eat or sleep enough? Remember that puberty is a time of very fast growth. You need 9 or more hours of sleep each night and good food for healthy growth.


Uncomfortable with your body: You may be embarrassed easily. You may sometime feel unhappy or uncomfortable with the way you look. This may be true especially if you have friends who are developing slower or faster than you. Even if you cannot help comparing your body to your friends' bodies, remember that everyone will "catch up". You and all your friends will have an adult body by the end of puberty. Your awkward feelings and clumsiness should also go away by the time puberty is over.


Sexual fantasies and thoughts: You may start to have feelings that you have never had before. You may feel sexually excited or aroused. You may be curious about sex or the way the bodies of others look. You may feel attracted to someone.


Want to be away from your family: During puberty, you may want to spend most of your time with friends instead of family members. You may feel embarrassed by your family or parents. You may feel like your parents have no idea what you are going through during puberty. It is normal for you to want to be with and dress like your friends most of the time. Just remember that sometime your family may be a better support for you than your friends.

How can I help myself during puberty?

Eat healthy foods. Eat healthy foods from all of the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel good and have more energy. Limit the amount of junk foods such as chips, sweets, and fast food. These may fill you up so that you do not feel like eating the good foods. If you feel you are gaining too much weight, talk to your caregiver before going on a diet.


Exercise regularly. Find an exercise that you can do on your own such as biking or jogging. Get involved in a team sport. Exercising makes your heart stronger and keeps you healthy. If you are overweight, eating good foods and exercising regularly may help control your weight.


Keep yourself clean.


During your daily bath or shower, take special care to wash the hairy areas of your body with soap and water. Areas like your armpits and genitals (area between your legs) begin to smell bad quickly. You may need to bathe more often if you practice with a sports team or exercise daily. Keeping your face clean may help keep pimples from forming or getting worse.


Brush your teeth at least 2 times per day. Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste after breakfast and before bedtime. This may help prevent tooth decay and bad breath.


Do not use things that could harm your body. Stay away from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco (chewing and smoking tobacco). All of these can be addictive. Smoking can damage your lungs and cause cancer. Alcohol and drugs may make you depressed. They may cause you to make bad choices or make you depend on them to feel good.


Talk about your feelings. Going through puberty is tough. Talking about what you are thinking and feeling may make it easier to get through. Find friends and adults who