Usually between the ages of 8 and 18 years old, your body starts growing and changing. These changes occur from head to toe, and are completely natural as your body responds to increased hormones. In girls, the main hormone guiding the body's new instructions is called estrogen. In guys, it's testosterone. All of these changes together are called "puberty."

Puberty is the bridge between being a kid and becoming an adult. As you cross this bridge, your body and your feelings change a lot. You also may feel differently about your family, friends and classmates-and view the things that they do in whole new ways. You may feel like changing what you do with them, the way you dress and the things you talk about. These differences are called "social" and "behavioral" changes.

Puberty means major changes, but is simply your body's transition from childhood to adulthood. You may even begin to wonder where you fit in the world. But these many physical and emotional changes are NORMAL!

There is no exact age when everyone experiences puberty. This differs from person to person. Girls can expect puberty to hit between the ages of 8 and 17. Boys can expect puberty between the ages of 10 and 18.

Physical Changes
This is a very confusing and awkward time for all teenagers. Expect to feel weird. It's normal! There are many changes that occur. Some of these changes occur in both boys and girls. Others occur based on which sex you are. Just look for the following (both boys and girls):

• Gain weight, grow taller
• Grow more body hair
• Speak with deeper, stronger voices
• Can develop acne (pimples/zits)
• Develop secondary sex characteristics on the body (see specifics below)

Emotional Changes
Along with the many physical changes your body will go through, you will also experience many emotional changes. Most of these emotional changes are a result of all the physical changes and trying to adjust. Look for some of these signs (both boys and girls):

• Experience moodiness: For females, changes in their estrogen levels can cause mood swings. For males, changes in their testosterone levels can cause mood swings
• Are concerned about how their bodies look, how other people look and how they compare to self, and what other people think in general
• Feel awkward or embarrassed, especially in times of change
• Feel sexual attraction and arousal very easily
• Experience sexual curiosity and attraction in other people (like crushes!)
• Usually become more emotional and react to situations more intensely than before
• Typically try to gain more independence from parents

• Experience growth spurt between 13 and 14 years old (on the average)
• Grow larger ears, hands and feet
• Grow larger penis and scrotum around 12 years old
• Develop very sensitive testicles (balls)
• Develop (temporarily) larger and more sensitive breasts (yes, breasts)
• Experience more frequent erections
• Experience ejaculations and "wet dreams"
• Develop larger muscles and broader shoulders

Signs of Reaching Puberty
For boys, ejaculation is the first sign that they are going through puberty. Ejaculation is the release of semen (cum) through the penis. Ejaculation may occur because of masturbation (or self-stimulation, when someone becomes aroused by touching him- or herself.) Ejaculation also can occur involuntarily while a boy is sleeping. This is called a "wet dream." It is very normal for this to happen.

Puberty for Girls
This is a very confusing and awkward time for all teenagers. Expect to feel weird. It's normal! There are many changes that occur. Others occur based on which sex you are. Just look for the following:

• Typically experience growth spurt around age 11
• Grow larger breasts around age 11
• Get rounder, wider hips and narrower waists
• Start menstruation (period) around age 13 (sometimes sooner, sometimes later) or at 106 pounds (specifically), an irregular and inconsistent vaginal discharge (later becoming regular and consistent)

Signs of Reaching Puberty
For girls, their first menstruation, or period, is a sign that they have reached puberty. This is a normal sign that occurs in ALL healthy girls. Menstruation lets you know you have a normal, functioning reproductive system.

• Menstruation (or period) is a monthly discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus through the vagina.
• Depending on individual body development and hormone levels, a girl's first menstrual cycle may begin at any time.
• The first menstrual period is called menarche (meh-NAR-key).
• The first few cycles are irregular, but become regular over time, usually occurring every 28 days or so.
• One menstrual period may last between two and seven days.
• During one menstrual period, it's typical for one-half to one cup of blood and tissue to be discharged from start to finish.
• Some girls get premenstrual syndrome (PMS) right before their menstrual period. Symptoms of PMS include cramps and irritability and are also driven by your hormones.
• For hygiene reasons, girls should ALWAYS use tampons or sanitary pads to absorb the blood flow. Tampons (worn internally) should be changed every four hours in order to avoid the risk of a very rare bacterial infection called Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

Pads (worn inside the underwear) should be changed every four to five hours at least. Overnight pads should be changed every eight hours. Keeping them on longer can cause a foul odor. By the way, you can't get TSS from pads. Buying extra tampons or pads is a good idea so that they are on hand whenever you need them. Have some at home, but don't forget to take some with you to school in a purse or a bookbag, and keep them anywhere else you may need them. If your menstrual period comes on suddenly or when you're not home, you will always have something available to absorb the flow. Thinking ahead and being prepared can really save you a lot of potential embarrassment.

Your period is something you eventually appreciate as a symbol of your womanhood. Again, everything about your period is normal- all women have gone through the same thing!

• Ask lots of questions. It is nice to know how and what your body is doing, how it will affect your life and how to keep it all in perspective.
• Look for more information about puberty in your library and/or bookstores, on the Web, or directly from a responsible older person you trust.
• Respect your body. Smoking, using drugs and drinking alcohol are not respectful of your body, and in fact they are rather harmful. Eat nutritious foods. Get plenty of exercise. Wait for sex until you are ready!
• Accept your body. It is a work in progress. Remember that everyone goes through it, but that you are an INDIVIDUAL! Try not to compare yourself to anyone else.
• If you must diet, use some sense. Don't skip meals or put your finger down your throat to keep your weight down. This can lead to emotional problems, and do more harm than good to your body.
• If you feel sad, bad or totally weird, talk to somebody! Believe it or not, you already know someone you can talk to about your personal feelings and the changes you are going through. Don't suffer in silence. Start practicing communication now!
• Give your parents a chance. They can really give you a lot of support and information if you let them in!