Dear puberty, why are you like this?
Well, long story short, the answer is that to reach sexual maturity, humans must go through a gruelling and confusing metamorphosis.
WATCH: WH: Vagina Dos and Don’ts.
To be completely frank, this period of awkward growth takes a minute… well years, to level out and form your adult body.
To help you through, Girlfriend has broken it down into three simple chapters to paint a little picture of what puberty is doing to your body.
We’re focusing on the three main elements contributing to physical changes in our bodies: Breasts, vagina and body hair.
We spoke to general practitioner Dr Jill Forer, our women’s health Dolly Doctor, about these prominent and visual shifts in the body to unpack these changes.
“So, puberty is like a melting pot of different hormones that occur and act on different parts of the body to cause different growths,” explains Jill.
Chapter one: Breasts
For many, the breast bud can initially be a confusing and painful change.
The breast bud is tender, and it’s caused by a hormonal change that encourages the breast to grow.
“There is an associated hormonal change that occurs to make that breast bud enlarge, and the breast comes after; the bud is the actual breast development,” says Dr Jill.
It is normal for the process to occur at different times depending on each individual, and there is nothing to worry about.
“You shouldn’t be anxious if someone else’s breasts are developing at a different time frame to yours or a different size,” assures Dr Jill.
Of course, it may feel like it’s time to buy a bra or bralette to support the breast as it grows, and Dr Jill suggests starting with a sports bra and then proceed as the breast gets bigger.
Another change that may come with boobs is hair on the nipples, but this change tends to happen a lot later into puberty, or not at all.
“That will happen much later in puberty, if at all. If you do grow hair on your nipples, it is normal, and if you feel concerned, then you should talk to a safe adult about how you feel,” says Dr Jill.
Interestingly, boys can also grow breast buds during puberty, and they go away, but this occurs because both boys and girls share the same hormones.
“Both boys and girls have each other’s hormones, so girls have male hormones and boys have girls ones, and during puberty, boys can have more oestrogen, and they will get the stimulation that causes breast buds,” says Dr Jill.
Chapter two: Pubic Hair
Like most parts of puberty, pubic hair will not break loose overnight because it grows over time.
According to Dr Jill, at least 15 per cent of girls will experience pubic hair as their first manifestation of puberty.
First, the arms will grow either pale or dark hair, and it will be very sparse, thin and wispy until it matures.
The same gradual process will happen in the pubic area and on the underarms.
“The hair becomes more in number and thicker, and then it progresses; it could be over a year, but for others, it is quicker, and it can be two months for some people.
“Armpit hair shouldn’t look or feel like pubic hair,” says Dr Jill.
Chapter Three: Vagina
According to Dr Jill, while the uterus is one of the last things to develop, the ovaries are the first change to occur, even though it happens without our knowledge.
The undetectable change of the ovaries occurs because of various hormones, including oestrogen being distributed into the body.
“Many sources say that the ovary growth and its enlargement is the first thing that happens, and it precedes external and physical changes, but of course, nobody will know that,” reports Dr Jill.
Vaginal discharge is another very normal occurrence, but changes to its consistency, odour, or colour can indicate an infection.
“There is a physiological discharge which is very normal it is thin, and it can be white, and it doesn’t smell, but if you start to get a lot of mucus or it burns, or it itches, or it smells, you need to tell someone,” says Dr Jill.
All these changes to your body are natural, but if you have any concerns or if something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to talk to a trusted adult or your preferred doctor.
Have a question for Dolly Doctor? Drop us an email – dollydoctor@aremedia.com.au
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