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Growing Pains

The lowdown on puberty

You look like a completely different person and a million thoughts and emotions are zooming through your head at lightning speed. It may feel like puberty's a never-ending series of downs, but it's got lots of ups, too. Discover what these growing pains mean through this crash course on going from baby to lady.

Let's Get Physical

For girls, puberty starts at around age 11. That's about the age when chemicals called hormones start going round your bloodstream, causing tons of changes all over your body. Your breasts begin to develop and you'll notice a smattering of pubic hair starting to grow. Your skin changes, too—oil glands become a lot more active, leading to pimples. Even your body odor can change and it can even trigger a lot of sweating. Your experience a big growth spurt and find yourself shooting up a couple of inches.

Puberty basically means that your body's getting ready to be more grown-up. It means you're going to be ready to have a baby—a big change that'll be signaled by the first time you get your period.

While your body's going through all those big changes, you may or may not notice that your emotions go haywire too during this important phase of your life. Mood swings start to take effect—you can go from emo one second to totally happy, without a care in the world the next. You'll feel like you just want to be alone and not talk to anyone, even your friends… and just after a few moments, you'll feel absolutely dependent on the company of others. These are all effects of those raging hormones that are rushing through your body—you may feel weirded out about how sensitive you've suddenly become. Don't worry about it, chances are, all your friends are going through exactly the same thing. It's a crazy time, but it'll pass and you'll eventually learn to read the signals your mind and body send you.

Puberty is your transition from little girl to adult woman. You may see a lot of changes when you look in the mirror, but tons of stuff happens on the inside, too.

Once you get your first period, you're physically ready to have a baby. Your ovaries grow and start releasing eggs. Once an egg is released, your uterus starts to form a lining. It thickens with blood, to prepare itself in case one of your eggs is fertilized by a male sperm.

Once your egg is released, it makes its way from the ovaries down to your uterus. If the egg isn't fertilized, your body doesn't need that extra lining that formed in your uterus, and has to get rid of it. All that blood travels out of your uterus, through your cervix and released through your vagina. The release of that uterine lining is basically the blood that flows out during your period.

Every month, the same process occurs, from ovulation to menstruation. The time it takes for your uterus to build up its lining to the time it discharges is roughly 28 days. It changes from person to person, and when your period just starts, it can even be irregular. In time though, the cycle becomes more consistent and more regular.

Get Ready

Your first period can be an overwhelming experience. To add to all the drama that heightened emotions and extreme physical change can bring, your first flow can seem daunting—unless you're prepared for it.

Dealing with your period means being prepared and well-armed with the appropriate ammo. It's important to equip yourself with sanitary pads and panty liners to keep your undies fresh and clean all throughout your period (and even on days where you don't have your period!).

Pads are designed to be worn during your period. They come with a sticky strip that you adhere to your underpants. They're meant to absorb your menstrual blood so it doesn't soak through your knickers and stain your clothes. Thick ones are for days when you need lots of protection, while ultra thins are great for days when you want to feel like you're hardly wearing anything between you and your underwear.

Liners are meant to be worn in between periods. Around the time you ovulate, your body secretes some discharge, which these liners absorb. They're like a second skin for your underwear so you're always sure your panties stay clean all day. They're especially important to wear when you feel like you're periods about to begin, or when your flow decreases toward the end.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Now that you know the basics of puberty, you've got to keep in mind that each person's body is different from another's. Your best friend might have had her period at age 10, but it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you if you had to wait ‘til age 13. There aren't any hard and straight answers that apply to everyone exactly the same way. The most important thing is you know what's going on in your body and what you should get ready for.

Puberty may be a trying time, but it's also something that should be celebrated because it's an important part of growing up.

Doc Knows Best

It's normal to get your period anywhere from the age of 10 to 15, but if you haven't gotten it by your sweet sixteenth, you should pay a visit to the doctor, just to check if there's anything causing the delay.

Also, you can expect your period cycles to be irregular for the first few months after you get your menses. If it hasn't normalized after adolescence, it's best to see a doctor.