Teenage Dirtbags - All About Puberty

Health | Puberty

Teenage Dirtbags

Penis! Vagina! Periods! Boners! Boobs! Yep, we're talking puberty and so should you.

Squirming yet? No, of course you're not, you're an adult and you're also an adult who will soon be using those words when speaking to your child, if you haven't already. Go on, shout out all the other associated words you know for male and female body parts – after all, you're already doing it in your head. Okay, maybe when you do start talking about puberty with your child you won't be using ALL the words you just reamed off. Consider, however that they will hear ALL those words at some point intheir lives, likely by the time they go through puberty. We all know that talking about puberty can be uncomfortable for some people, particularly when your own experience of the 'Puberty Talk' was silent and in the form of a leaflet left in your bedroom by your parents. End. Of. Discussion. Presumably you also learned some of what you needed to know through cringe-worthy sex-ed lessons delivered by the least attractive teacher at the school, numerous pleasant, and unpleasant, surprises and copious amounts of misinformation from friends and siblings.

In hindsight, it probably seems quite funny. At the time it was probably more frightening, confusing and stress-inducing than it should've been at a time when selfesteem is already particularly low. Frank and open conversations with your children about puberty and what is happening to their bodies can make a real difference in how children cope with the changes. Your willingness to talk about puberty will help them to feel confident and secure and will help to keep the dialogue open. But first, a bit more about puberty – beyond what your teenage friends told you!

What actually happens during the initial stages of puberty?

The initial stages of puberty usually starts for girls around the age of 8, and for boys around 9 or 10 and lasts around 4 years. The hypothalamus starts off the process by releasing a gonaodotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Once GnRH is picked up by the pituitary gland, two more puberty hormones are released – luteninizing hormone (LH) and folliclestimulating hormone (FSH).

For boys, the hormones travel through the bloodstream to the testes beginning the production of sperm and testosterone. For girls, the hormones go to the ovaries, signalling the maturation and release of eggs and the production of estrogen. The adrenal glands add a group of hormones to the mix for both boys and girls. These adrenal androgens stimulate the production of pubic and underarm hair, often one of the first physical signs of puberty.

Puberty in girls

Average age 11

Note that all children develop differently and at different ages. If you are worried about your child’s development, contact your doctor.

• Breast ‘buds’ begin to grow – small, firm, tender lumps under the skin

• Usually between 8−13 yrs old

• Pubic hair

• Growth spurt with change in body shape, particularly breasts and around hips and thighs – often with arms, legs, feet growing more quickly than the rest of the body

• First period is often between 9−16 and around 2 years after beginning puberty

• Increased sweating

• Variable moods including low self-esteem and anger

• Acne

Puberty in boys

Average age 12

Note that all children develop differently and at different ages. If you are worried about your child’s development, contact your doctor.

• Usually between 10−16 yrs old

• Testicles and penis grow bigger

• Public hair

• Growth spurt between 10−16 often with arms, legs, feet growing more quickly than the rest of the body

• Shoulders broaden along with weight and muscle gain

• Growth of breast tissue in about 50% of boys – usually disappears in around 6 months

• More frequent erections and ejaculation and ‘wet dreams’

• Change in voice

• Increased sweating

• Variable moods including low self-esteem and anger

• Acne

Some suggestions which may help support your child in the run up to puberty.

Start the conversation early and talk about the changes they will be going through during puberty before the changes take place

Talk little and often about puberty, rather than one big puberty talk. It’s a good way to keep the conversation going and signals to your child that the conversation remains open.

Let your child know that you are there for them if they want to talk or ask questions.

Reassure your child that everyone goes through it and it’s a natural part of growing up

Explain about the need for self-care during puberty including anti-perspirants and deodorants (there are many chemical-free options available) along with shaving / hair removal if appropriate.

As puberty is a time when children can experience low self-esteem, helping them to avoid experiences or situations which may make them feel uncomfortable is important

Similarly, it’s important to help your child develop strategies, such as talking through any problems they may be experiencing, to make feel more confident and assured

Don’t be afraid to talk about sex and drugs as well as puberty, they’re going to find out anyway. Better you help fill in the gaps, than finding questionable answers from the internet or their friends.

Talk through some of the experiences, feelings and situations they may find themselves in. Let them know they have choices and that they can come up with solutions.

Help them to think through how they may react to or behave in a range of circumstances.

Aim to be tolerant and patient with your child when they are going through puberty. It’s argued that at this point in their lives they need you as much as they did when they were a toddler.

Calm, composed and considered responses help to avoid going head-to-head in an argument and help to role-model appropriate behaviours. And, be sure to find a good outlet, such as yoga or even kick-boxing for your pent-up rage and frustration – you’re likely to need it!

Believe in them and make sure they know you’re in their corner. They’ll need a little extra belief for when they can’t find it themselves

www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/stages-of-puberty-what-happens-to-boys-and-girls

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