back to top Puberty and girls
This page is for you to get to know how a girl’s body changes as she goes through puberty. It is useful for you to know more about your own body if you are a girl, but also to know more about what girl’s experience and what a girl’s body is like, if you are a boy.
You can find out all about boys’ bodies here.
back to top What are the physical changes that take place in girls during puberty?
As a girl progresses through the stages of puberty, she will grow taller and her body shape will change. Her chest will appear less flat as her breasts begin to grow. The first sign that a girl's breasts are developing is when small bumps (sometimes called "breast buds") become noticeable on her chest. Some girls find that their breasts or nipples start to tingle or itch whilst they grow. These feelings stop when the breasts stop growing.
Breasts grow into a variety of shapes and sizes, and many girls' breasts remain small throughout their adult lives. It is also normal for one breast to grow faster than the other. Usually breasts become more even as they reach full development. However, most girls' breasts will always be slightly uneven in shape and size.
A girl's hips will get wider and rounder. Hair, often called pubic hair, will start to grow between her legs. At first this hair will be fine and straight. As a girl progresses through the stages of puberty, her pubic hair will grow thicker and become curlier.
A girl will also grow hair under her arms and on her legs. As she gets older, this hair will grow darker and thicker. She will also start to have periods.
What is a period?
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A video about all matters relating to periods.
When a girl has her period, a small amount of bleeding takes place from her vagina. The vagina is a small opening that girls have between their legs. The bleeding will last for a few days and usually happens every month. This bleeding is referred to as menstruation and is not something to be scared of.
Most girls will have their first period between the ages of 11 and 14. But some girls will start as early as 8, whilst others may be as late as 17. Some girls get a white stain in their underwear before they have their first period, and this means that they may start getting periods soon. But it is difficult to know when a girl's first period will happen because everyone is different. This causes anxiety for a lot of girls, especially if their first period comes at a different time from their friends.
"It was the last week in July and everyone was happy because summer was here. I just couldn't feel the same though because all i could think about each day was my period not arriving. I hadn't told anyone until my best friend found me crying and i told her everything. She was great, really caring as usual. She suggested we talk to her mum. I felt so much better, telling an adult friend had been the best thing to do. In fact, my period started the next day"1
When a girl has her period she may notice changes in her body and mood. PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) is a term sometimes used to describe the physical and emotional symptoms a girl might experience just before and during her period. For example, her breasts may feel sore, or become larger, or she may get spots (pimples) on her face. She may feel tired and find it hard to concentrate, get food cravings, or feel very emotional. But no one can tell if a girl has her period just by looking at her.
How does a girl stop blood getting on her clothes during her period?
When a girl has her period she can use sanitary towels (also known as sanitary pads, panty liners, sanitary napkins) or tampons to soak up the blood. Different girls find different methods work best for them, however most start by using sanitary towels.
Sanitary towels are thin pads made of a soft cotton-like material. They are worn by a girl inside her knickers (panties). Most towels have a sticky strip on them that sticks the pad to the inside of the girl's knickers.
A tampon is like a small rolled up piece of cotton wool with a string at one end. A girl pushes a tampon into her vagina leaving the string hanging outside her body. The string is then used to pull the tampon out. Some tampons also come with applicators that help you to insert the tampon. As a tampon is put into the vagina, there is no problem about going to the toilet when using one. Some girls find it takes some time to get used to using tampons and that they are a little uncomfortable to insert at first. Never try to force a tampon in if it hurts. Taking some time to relax often helps.
Sanitary towels and tampons can both be bought in supermarkets and drug stores. They usually come in packets of about 10 or 15. Towels and tampons come in different thicknesses so you can use a thicker one when the bleeding is heavier, and thinner ones for lighter bleeding.
"Menstrual cups" are also available in some countries. These are small latex or silicone cups that are inserted into the vagina to collect the blood. The most common type of cup is reusable and can last for many years.
In areas where these types of sanitary protection are not commonly used, or if they are too expensive to afford, many women will use rags or old strips of cloth or towelling to soak up the blood.
How often does a sanitary towel or tampon need to be changed and how do you dispose of them?
A sanitary towel should be changed every few hours during the day, even if the flow of blood is not very great. Tampons should also be changed regularly and it is generally advised that a tampon should not be left unchanged for more than 8 hours. This is because doing so can make a girl ill. Toxic Shock Syndrome is a rare condition, but it can be caused by leaving a tampon in for too long. This is why many people think it is best not to use tampons overnight. It is fine to use a sanitary towel overnight without changing it.
It is important for a girl to wash her vaginal area daily. If a girl is using a tampon, it is best to take it out before having a bath or shower and use a new one afterwards. It is fine to use a tampon in the swimming pool if a girl wants to go swimming whilst she has her period. Sanitary towels cannot be used while swimming.
Used sanitary towels and tampons should be wrapped up and put in a bin. In most women's public toilets there is a special bin in each cubicle which used sanitary towels and tampons can be put in.
Do periods hurt?
Some girls feel uncomfortable or have cramp-like pains when they have periods. These pains are often not very bad and do not last very long, however some girls experience quite intense pains which can stop them from doing things that they normally would. If a girl is finding it difficult to deal with period pains, she should talk to an adult as there are a number of things that can be done to help. If the pains are very bad, it might be necessary to speak to a doctor.
There are lots of ways that girls deal with period pains. Taking a warm bath or holding a hot water bottle to her stomach can be comforting. Painkillers can also be used if the cramps are bad. Many girls find that light exercise, such as going for a brisk walk or a swim, helps to ease the pain.
When does a girl need to start wearing a bra?
There is no set time when a girl needs to start wearing a bra and some girls go through life never wearing one. Girls who wear a bra usually do so because they feel more comfortable wearing one. Some girls wear a bra only when they are doing sports, others wear one all the time except when sleeping. Bras are made with different size cups for different breast sizes.
It is not necessary to wear a bra to keep breasts healthy.
back to top What can a girl do if...
Her period starts and she doesn't have a sanitary towel or tampon?
Having a period start unexpectedly is something that lots of girls worry about happening. But there is no need to panic. Often the blood flow at the beginning of your period is light, giving you time to get home or to a shop.
If you're not able to do this, don't be embarrassed about asking someone you feel comfortable with for help. Remember that many women will have experienced the same problem and will be happy to help.
You can also use something soft like tissues, or rolled-up toilet paper to soak up the blood until you can get a sanitary towel or tampon.
Her period starts when she is at school?
If you are at school you should ask a friend or a teacher or other adult if they can help. Some girls like to carry a sanitary pad or tampon in their bag so that they are prepared for when their period starts. But it quite often happens that a girl's period starts unexpectedly, so many schools have spare sanitary towels in the office that they can give you.
Her period doesn't start when she expects it to?
The interval between periods is usually about 28 days (around one month). However, when a girl first starts having periods they may not be "regular", she might skip a month or have two periods very close together. After time (sometimes up to two years) most girls settle into a regular cycle and can predict when their period will start each month.
If your period does not start when you expect it to and you have had sexual intercourse, you could be pregnant. You must talk to an adult or see a doctor as soon as possible. It is important to do this even if you used contraception, as no form of contraceptive can be guaranteed to be 100 percent effective.
If you have not had sexual intercourse and your period doesn't come when you expect it to, there is probably no need to worry. There are many things that can cause changes to your periods, for example being unwell, changing your diet, doing excessive amounts of exercise or feeling stressed. Sometimes, the worry caused by a late period can delay it even further. If you do not get your period for several months, speaking to a doctor could help to identify what is causing the problem.
She has mood swings?
Girls and boys may experience sudden changes in feelings during puberty. Feelings can swing backwards and forwards, and you may feel like laughing at one moment and crying the next. Sudden mood changes are partly caused by the increasing amount of hormones in the body.
"I can usually guess when my period is coming because I get mad easily and my mood just changes a lot. Every month is an emotional rollercoaster, and I always end up feeling depressed and guilty over the way I've treated people"Maria
Talking to a friend or someone you trust can help to relieve your feelings. Mood changes are only temporary, and will settle down with time.
Someone says she smells?
As boys and girls' bodies develop during puberty so too do their sweat glands. These glands are to help control the body's temperature and result in more sweat being produced. The best way to reduce the risk of smelling is to wash and change your clothes regularly and perhaps use anti-perspirant deodorant under your arms. Most girls do not need to use a vaginal deodorant, and these may cause irritation.
She gets spots (pimples)?
Almost everybody has spots at some time during their life, and most young people get spots around puberty. Washing your face more often with mild unperfumed or antiseptic soap and warm water may help, but be careful not to scrub your face as this can irritate the skin. It is especially important to wash your face thoroughly if you have been using make-up or sunscreen. Oils from your hair can also cause spots, so keeping your hair clean and out of your face can help.
Some people find that eating less fatty foods (such as chips and chocolate) and drinking lots of water can help. However, spots during puberty are usually caused by hormones, and are not something that you can control.
It is important to try not to pick at, or squeeze the spots as this can cause them to become infected.
If you get very bad spots it might be acne. Acne is a common skin condition that mostly occurs on the face, arms, back and chest. If you think that you might have acne, you could speak to a doctor as they will be able to give you advice. There are also various special creams and pills that your doctor may prescribe to help you with the problem.
She is unhappy about the way she looks?
“Height and weight are two things that can particularly worry young people. But try and think about things you like about yourself and the way you look.”
The physical changes that occur during puberty can cause considerable worry for young people. Some people become worried because they are growing or changing faster or slower than their friends.
Height and weight are two things that can particularly worry young people. But try and think about things you like about yourself and the way you look. Also remember that your body is changing and will keep changing.
"I used to have a problem with the way I look, and I’m still self conscious about some bits of my body. But overall I do have confidence in myself, I think I’ve got a pretty face and I like being little. No matter how bad I look, someone always thinks I’m cute because I’m small!"Jess
Hardly anyone feels completely satisfied with their body and the way they look. Young people often feel under a lot of pressure when it comes to their looks. If you regularly feel unhappy about the way that you look, you should talk to an adult who you trust, so they can help you to feel more positive about yourself.
She starts changing before her friends?
There is no set time when puberty starts, and this means that often girls will find they start to change at a different time from other girls their age. This is very normal, but can cause a girl to feel embarrassed or 'different' from her friends. Remember that it won't be long before others start to go through the same changes.
Some girls begin puberty as early as age 7. In some cases a girl may begin to show signs of puberty at a younger age, this is known as 'precocious puberty'. If a girl starts to show signs of puberty much earlier than age 7, it is a good idea to speak to a doctor to make sure there are no underlying health problems.
If you are worried, it can help to speak with somebody you feel comfortable talking to.
All her friends have started changing but she hasn't?
In the same way that girls who are 'early developers' can feel embarrassed or 'different', not beginning puberty until much later than others can also cause a girl to worry. Try to remember that everyone goes through puberty at their own pace. Starting later than your friends does not mean that your body will always be less mature; it won't be long before you start to go through the same changes that they are.
Some girls don't start puberty until age 13. If a girl is worried that she has not begun to see any changes by this age, she should speak to an adult who she feels comfortable talking to.
If a girl is much older than 13 and has not begun puberty (known as 'delayed puberty'), it is a good idea to speak to a doctor to make sure there are no underlying health problems. But remember that starting puberty does not mean that a girl will be experiencing all the signs of puberty by this age. For example, many girls do not start having their period until as late as age 16.
She is being bullied?
Bullying comes in many different forms. It is bullying if somebody hurts you physically, calls you names, threatens you, steals or damages your belongings, excludes you, or spreads rumours about you. It is not something that just happens at school, it can happen anywhere: at home, over the phone, through text messages, and online. Bullying is a very serious issue and if a girl is being bullied for any reason, she should speak to an adult.
"Even though you may feel helpless sometimes, there are a lot of things you and others can do to help stop the bullying."2
References back to top
- Avert (1996) 'Sexual feelings and relationships' [booklet].
- Stop Bullying Now! 'Are you being bullied?'