Puberty Resource by Aarna Patel

Why Do We Get Physical Changes?

We get physical changes because when our body's certain hormones change, it causes our body's look to change. When you go through puberty, your body goes through a thing called 'sexual hormones'. It is when you're body starts to feel sexually attracted to a gender. Those sexual hormones cause these physical changes to our bodies when we go through puberty.

Boys Physical Changes

When men go through puberty their physical changes are:

- Voice Deepens

-The Testicals getting bigger

-Facial Hair

-Hair growth on the Penis and Scrotum

-Growth Spurt

This is caused by the sexual hormones humans have when they go through puberty. The reason why the testicals get bigger is so then the sperm that comes out of their penis can help the reproductive system of a woman. Basically it can get a woman pregenant if it comes in contact with an egg produced by a woman. They also grow hair in the armpits and face. Sometimes hair can grow on the chest.

Girls Physical Changes

When girls go through puberty their physical changes are:

-oilier skin

-Breasts start to grow

-grow under arm hair

-pubic hairs grow

-hips widen

-body gets curvier

The reason to why girls go through this is because of their sexual changes too. When girls go through puberty, their hips get bigger to carry a baby. They also start to grow pubic hair on their vagina. Breasts also start to grow because of the ovaries released from hormones. Girl's faces also start to get oilier which means they would start to get acne and pimples.

Emotional Changes

During Puberty emotional changes are a big thing. You will tend to get mood swings when you least expect it. You may start to get mad or moody easily. You can also get very uneasy with your emotions. You may also start feeling sexual interests in other people. In puberty your sleep patterns might change and you may start to feel consious and insecure about your body. If you ever feel like insecure and want help to deal with mood swings, there is always one number you can dial which is Kids helpline 1800 55 1800

Social Changes

When your going through puberty you will go through social changes. You could start to focus more on talking and socialising with peers and less with your family. Smetimes you might want to stay inside at home all day and interact with your family or people at home. Since your also getting older you might start to get closer with other adults such as teachers, coaches etc.

Strategies to Manage Changes Puberty

When your in High School your changes in puberty may effect you. For example, your friends might say something about you as a joke but you might tke it differently and get mad at them. Then the mood swings kick in and change your whole mood. A way to stop something like that is to not take everything seriously. Maybe take deep breathes. Also as you get older your health becomes very important, especially during puberty so you need to make sure you eat healthy to keep your body fit. When girls get their periods at school, you may start to feel pain in the stomach and feel very weak. To keep your stomach cramps from getting worst, you should eat healthy and be more active.

Difficulties transitioning from primary school to high school

In primary it may be different like you can go to the toilets whenever. When in high school it will be a bit harder to go. Thats why it is best to go during your breaks. Your friends might change which means you might have difficulties getting used to them. Its a good thing to know your new friends during your transition because it creates a good bond with people. You could also have a lot more homework at high school because it is when your life gets more serious. It might effect your schedule but its always good to get your homework done as soon as you get it.

Strategies to cope with adolescence

When your at school and you get your period you might feel scared because you might not know what to do. A good thing to do if you are scared is to ask someone you trust that is going through puberty what to do. If you go through too much pain during your period you must tell your teacher. A good thing to do is to rest a hot pack on it. At school if you feel a bit down because you feel not like yourself. Its a good thing just to relax your mind. Maybe do something you love to do at school or tell your friends how you feel. Its a good thing to let out your feelings because it can help your brain nad body relax. Expecially with all the stress you can get in high school. You could also get a diary where you just do anything you want in it. You can doodle in it or write in it. Just let your feelings out. Its a good thing to calm down.

Networks to help you through puberty

-Kids Helpline

Kids Helpine can help you through puberty and hard times coping with it

-Flo

If your a young woman and your not used to your periods, flo will try and fiure out when you will get your period and it will tell u what to do

-Headspace

Its good for mental health especially when your feeling uneasy and not yourself. They will help you cope with difficulties