ND & Puberty

Understanding Puberty

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What is Puberty?

Puberty is the life stage when the body transitions from childhood to adulthood.

Puberty may start between 8-14 years old and lasts for 2-5 years.

During puberty a lot of physical transformation will happen. Social and emotional changes also occur. Everyone goes through puberty, but it looks different for each person.

The Tanner Stages

Puberty generally follows 5 stages, called the Tanner Stages, but the timing varies for each person.

  • PWV: People with vaginas
  • PWP: People with Penises

The brain sends signals to the body to start making sex hormones

  • No outward physical changes yet

Physical changes begin

  • Pubic hair grows
  • PWV: Breast buds develop
  • PWP: Testicles grow & darken

Physical changes are more obvious

  • Growth spurts, body & pubic hair grow darken
  • PWV: Breasts grow, vaginal discharge, some get first period
  • PWP: Penis & testicles grow, frequent erections, voice cracks

Physical changes are most intense

  • Oily skin & acne, voice lowers
  • PWV: Breasts fully develop, periods begin & are often irregular
  • PWP: Genitals grow, frequent erections & wet dreams, some get facial hair

Physical changes come to an end

  • Most reach full height & genitals fully develop.
  • PWV: Periods are regular
  • PWP: Chest & facial hair continue to grow

Learn More:

  • You Know, Sex: Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from Gather & Grow
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries
  • Sex is a Funny Word: A book about bodies, feelings, and you by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from Gather & Grow
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries
  • You-ology: A Puberty Guide for Everybody by Melisa Holmes, MD, FACOG; Trish Hutchison, MD, FAAP; Kathryn Lowe, MD, FAAP 
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries
  • Growing into You!: An Inclusive, Shame-Busting, Get-Real Guide to Your Changing Body and Mind by Growing Into YouTM
    • Purchase here– Use code GROW20 for 20% off your order!
    • Borrow from Gather & Grow
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries
  • Growing Up: An Inclusive Guide to Puberty and Your Changing Body by Rachel Greener & Clare Owen
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from JeffCo Public Libraries
  • Puberty Is Gross but Also Really Awesome by Gina Loveless
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries
  • Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding by Maia Kobabe , Sarah Peitzmeier PhD
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries
  • A Different Kind of Normal by Abigail Balfe
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries
  • It’s Totally Normal! An LGBTQIA+ Guide to Puberty, Sex, and Gender by Monica Gupta Mehta and Asha Lily Mehta
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries
  • We Need to Talk About Vaginas by Dr. Allison K. Rodgers; illustrated by Annika Le Large
    • Purchase here
    • Borrow from Broomfield, JeffCo, and Boulder Public Libraries

Coming soon!