ND & Puberty

Understanding Puberty

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.

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
  • You-ology: A Puberty Guide for Everybody by Melisa Holmes, MD, FACOG; Trish Hutchison, MD, FAAP; Kathryn Lowe, MD, FAAP 
  • Growing into You!: An Inclusive, Shame-Busting, Get-Real Guide to Your Changing Body and Mind by Growing Into YouTM
Click here for more!

  • Amaze: “Amaze makes growing up less awkward. Learn about your body and relationships with fun, animated videos that answer all your questions. Always free!”
  • Queer Kids Stuff: “Queer Kid Stuff is an LGBTQ+ webseries for kids and kids-at-heart!”
  • Every Body Curious: “Every Body Curious is a fun and illuminating web series for young people (and their parents!) that explores the birds and the bees with ease in today’s digital landscape.”
  • Amazing Me: “Positive Conversations For Families About Bodies, Sex, and Puberty.”
  • MindSpark Kids:
    • Sex Education for Pre-Teens and Teens Playlist
    • Sex Education for Kids Playlist