Puberty

Some of the important things to know about body changes,

feelings, relationships and more!
 Puberty
Puberty…Exciting? Weird? Wonderful? A little bit scary? Awkward? Freeing? Boring?
Inspiring? Embarrassing? Empowering? Stressful?
No matter how you feel about puberty, what helps is to know about the changes that the body goes
through, before they happen, so you know what to expect. This booklet has lots of information
to help you understand these changes and to help keep you happy, safe and well.

You may have heard lots of stuff about puberty already from books, movies, online, your friends,
your parents – but it’s always good to check you have the right information.

What are all the changes that happen during puberty?

How do I look after myself?

Do I have any questions I have been too afraid to ask?

How do I know if the information I have is reliable?

This book can help to answer these questions and more!

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Contents
What is puberty? 4

When does puberty happen? 4

Who can I talk to about this stuff? 5

Changes during puberty 6

Emotional and social changes 6

Physical changes 9

The reproductive system 13

A tour of the female reproductive system 14

Physical changes – girls 18

A tour of the male reproductive system 25

Physical changes – boys 30

How a baby is made 32

Looking after yourself 33

Conclusion 36

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 What is puberty?
Puberty is the word used to describe the time
when your body grows and changes from a
child to an adult.
The physical changes during puberty are your body
developing so that it can potentially make a baby
(although there are many reasons why people may not
want to make a baby or be able to make a baby). Being
physically able to have a baby does not mean that you
are emotionally ready – this takes a lot longer and it
might be something you think about later in life.

When does puberty happen? Ella aged 13 Stella aged 13

Puberty can start anywhere between the ages of 8 and
15 years. For a lot of people it will start around the age of
10 or 11 years. For girls, puberty usually starts between
the ages of 8 and 13 years. For boys, puberty usually
starts a little later between the ages of 9 and 14 years.

These changes happen gradually over a few years. They

can happen faster for some people and more slowly
for other people. You might start to notice changes in
your body or in your friends’ bodies. One friend might
be getting very tall and another friend might be starting
to get some pimples. You might be starting to grow
more hair in your armpits, or you might not notice any
changes at all. Some people worry if they haven’t noticed
their body changing at the same rate as their friends. It
is important to remember everyone is different. There
are lots of different ways to go through puberty that are
normal and OK. You may like to chat to your parents
about when they started to notice changes during
puberty, as this will give you some idea of when you
might start to notice changes in your body. Blake aged 13 Jake aged 13
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Who can I talk to about this stuff?
Sometimes when you’re going through puberty, it might feel
as if there is no one to talk to. It may be hard to believe, but
all the adults you know have been through puberty – yep,
your parents, your grandparents, your favourite singer or
sports star…even your teacher! So, you may find the adults
in your life understand more than you think they do! Often,
they are waiting for you to come and ask questions! Think of
the trusted adults you can talk to – asking questions, talking
through any concerns and sharing things you are looking
forward to can help clear your mind and prepare you for the
changes ahead.

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 Changes during puberty
Your body has been growing and changing from the time you were in the womb (uterus). Over the years
you have become taller, you have put on weight as you grow, your feet have grown bigger, your brain has
matured and you have learnt lots of new things. Puberty is a time when growth and changes happen much
more quickly – the only other time you grew so quickly was when you grew from a baby to a child.

Your body starts to release special hormones. These hormones travel in your blood and trigger the changes
in your body. Some of the changes happen to your body (physical), others affect to the way you think and
feel (emotional) and the way that you relate to the people in your life (social). It can feel like you are the only
person going through these changes, but a lot of people go through similar changes during puberty.

Emotional and social changes

Although the physical changes are easier to notice because they are things you can see, it is likely that
you have already started to change in the way you think, feel and the way that you relate to your friends
and family. These emotional and social changes happen all throughout your life but there can be quite big
changes during puberty.

Lots of feelings
The hormones that your
body produces during
puberty can make your
emotions feel stronger
and more intense. It is
common to have mood
swings – this is when
your feelings change very
quickly and randomly. One
minute you might feel on
top of the world and the
next minute feel really
down. Feeling this way can be hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Talking with trusted adults can help you sort out your feelings. There are also
lots of great online supports listed on page 36.

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 Independence
You may find that as you get older you don’t want or need so much help from the adults
in your life. You might feel like you want more privacy and space from family members.
You might want to be able to make more decisions yourself, to try new things and express
yourself in new or different ways. It is normal to want more independence as you get older,
it’s part of learning to be an adult and to look after yourself. This can be hard for some of
the adults in your life. Try to be respectful when you are discussing things with your parents
and carers – they are more likely to listen to your point of view if you can talk to them calmly
about your wants and needs. And remember that you still need support from trusted adults,
so don’t be afraid to ask when you need help.

Friendships
Friendships can become increasingly important as you get older and you will probably find
that you want to spend more time with your friends than you do with your family. We all value
what our friends think and this can be especially important to you during puberty. Sometimes
the intense feelings you get during puberty and the mood swings that can happen, can make
friendships a little trickier during this time. Being understanding of each other’s feelings can help
a lot (even though it’s not always easy to do!). Your friendship groups might change a little – or
a lot. You may find that you become closer to some people and that some friendships become
less important to you. This is all part of growing up.

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 Sexual thoughts and feelings
You will probably start to have more sexual thoughts and urges
during puberty. This is also due to all the hormones!
You might start to feel attracted to another person or people. It might be someone
you know in real life or someone you have seen on social media or TV. Sometimes this
is called having a ‘crush’. These feelings can feel very intense at times. It’s completely normal
to have these feelings. It is also completely normal to not have these feelings at all.

What if I have a crush on someone? What if someone has

a crush on me?
You may keep these feelings to yourself or you may
choose to talk to a friend or someone you trust about You may find that someone feels
them. If you have a crush on someone you know in real strongly about you, but you don’t feel
life, you might choose to tell that person. It is your choice the same way. Try to be honest and clear
to decide who you tell about any feelings you have. about your feelings while being kind
and respectful. A good way to handle
If the person you have a crush on feels the same way
situations like this is to think about how
you may find yourself in an exciting new friendship or
you would feel if you were the other
relationship. Sometimes the person you have a crush on
person and how you would like to be
may not feel the same way and you might feel rejected or
treated.
hurt. It is important to continue treating this person with
kindness and respect their feelings. It can be a good idea It is important to know that it is not
to talk to a friend or a trusted adult if you are feeling hurt OK for someone to make you feel
or are not sure how deal with the situation. uncomfortable or pressured when it
comes to crushes or sexual feelings.
If someone acts like they have sexual
feelings for you and this makes you
feel uncomfortable, you should tell a
trusted adult.

If you would like some more

information about relationships, love
and sex, check out page 36 for a list of
helpful books and websites.

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Physical changes
Some of the physical changes that happen during puberty happen to people of all
genders. Here are some of the things to expect.

Body size and shape

‘Haven’t you grown!’ It’s likely you have heard this saying a few times already and you are likely to hear it
even more as you go through puberty. You might have a growth spurt and gain a few centimetres in height
one month and then grow more slowly the next. You may also put on weight in spurts. It doesn’t always
happen evenly. Getting to know your changing body each month and year can be a bit of a challenge at
times. You may feel some pain in your arms and legs as you grow (‘growing pains’) and you may find you
feel a bit clumsy or less co-ordinated at times. Don’t worry, you will soon get used to your new size and
shape and you may find that you that you feel stronger and able to do new things too.

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 Pimples and acne
During puberty your body is a hormone-
producing machine. These hormones make
the oil-producing glands in your skin grow
bigger and produce extra oil (sebum). This oil
can block the pores which causes pimples. The
most common places to get pimples are on
the face, neck, chest and back, but you can get
pimples anywhere on the body. When pimples
become very red and sore, you might get
something called acne.

Washing your skin gently with warm water and

a mild soap or face wash every day can help.
Dirt doesn’t cause acne but washing can get
rid of extra oil. You may also find that certain
foods such as sugary and fatty foods make
your pimples worse. Try to avoid touching
or squeezing pimples as this can make them
worse or cause scars. If your skin is really
bothering you, then you should see your
doctor or trusted adult who can help.

Washing your skin

every day can help
prevent pimples.

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Sweat
As you go through puberty you will probably
start to sweat more. Remember that sweating
is normal and almost everyone sweats more
during puberty. The extra oil (sebum) that the
glands in your skin produce during puberty can
mix with the sweat and bacteria can grow. This
can cause a smell called body odour (or BO).
You might notice the smell in your armpits.
Your feet and genitals might also have different
smells.

The best way to keep clean is to wash your body

every day using mild soap and warm water. You
may need to wash your clothes more often. This
helps to wash away the bacteria that contributes
to the smells.

If you choose to use deodorant and/or anti-

perspirant as well as washing your body every
day and wearing clean clothes, follow the
instructions on the pack to make sure you are
using them safely.

Sweating is normal
and almost everyone
sweats more
during puberty.

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 Body hair
Hair will usually start to grow in your armpits Should I shave?
and around your genitals (pubic hair) as
you go through puberty. This hair will often Just as people have different likes and dislikes with
be thin and straight at first and will often the way their hair looks on their head, people have
become thicker and sometimes curlier as different likes and dislikes for the rest of the hair on
you get older. You may also find more hair their body. Some people like to leave the hair on
growing on your legs and arms. Hair might their body to grow naturally. Some decide to trim
also appear on your face and other places on or shave some areas – like the hair in the armpits,
your body. Everyone has different amounts of around the genitals (pubic hair) and on the legs.
hair. Some people might have lots of hair and
There are different ways hair can be removed
others might have very little hair – this is all
such as: shaving, waxing, hair removal creams,
normal.
tweezers and threading. It is up to you to make
decisions about your body hair. There are no right
or wrong choices. You can talk to a trusted adult
about this. If you choose to remove hair, you
may like some lessons from someone who has
done it before! Try not to share razors with other
people as it can pass on infections and viruses.

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The reproductive system

Some changes during puberty are specific to the

body parts that you have. To understand these
changes, it can be helpful to know the parts of the
reproductive systems.

The reproductive system is made up of all the

different organs that are needed for making a
baby. Reproduce means ‘to make more of’ which
is why making a baby is called reproduction.

Most of the organs are inside the body and some

are on the outside of the body. Sometimes these
parts are called the genitals.

It can be hard to see all the parts of your genitals

because of where they are located on your body.
If you feel comfortable, you can use a hand-held
mirror to have a look and become more familiar
with your own body.

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 A tour of the female
reproductive system
(sex organs)

Vulva Urethral opening

The vulva is the outside part of the reproductive The urethra is the tube which carries urine (wee)
system. Many people say ‘vagina’ when they really away from the bladder. The urethral opening is one
mean vulva, but they are different body parts. of the three holes in the genital area. One hole is
the anus (butthole) where faeces (poo) comes out.
The vulva includes pubic hair, the inner and outer Above the anus is the vaginal opening. The urethral
vaginal lips (labia), the clitoris and the openings of opening is above the vaginal opening and this is
the vagina and urethra. where the wee comes out of the body.
When sexually excited, it is normal for the glands
inside the vulva and vagina to make fluids that
make the vulva become wet. Sometimes this can
happen while sleeping. Sometimes a ‘sexy’ dream
(also known as a wet dream) can make the vagina
and vulva more wet than usual when waking up.
For some people this might happen once or twice,
for other people it might happen more often. For
other people it might not happen at all – that’s
normal too!

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Labia
The outer labia are the larger, thicker lips of the
vulva. The inner labia are the thinner lips. These
folds of skin protect the entrance to the vagina
and urethra. Just like many other body parts, labia
come in all different shapes, sizes and colours.
For some people the inner labia stick out past the
outer labia, for others the outer labia cover the
inner labia – both are completely normal. Labia
grow and change during puberty and hair usually
begins to grow on the outer labia.

Is my vulva normal?
Sometimes we compare ourselves and our bodies
to the ones we see around us. Many images of
bodies that we see around us – on TV, in movies,
online and on social media – are changed or
edited (photoshopped). This means that the
images we see don’t show what different bodies
and different vulvas really look like. It may be a
good idea to talk to a trusted adult if you have
questions about your body or if you are feeling
unsure.

Clitoris
The part of the clitoris on the outside of the
body is only the tip. The tip of the clitoris is about
the size of a pea and is just above the urethral
opening (the hole where the wee comes out).
The rest of the clitoris can’t be seen because it is
inside the body. When sexually excited, the clitoris
fills with blood and swells. The tip of the clitoris
has many sensitive nerve endings and when it is
stroked or rubbed, it can feel very pleasurable and
build to an exciting feeling called an orgasm.

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 Vagina Cervix
The vagina is a stretchy tube inside the body that is The cervix is at the top of the vagina. It looks like
made of muscle that can expand. It is about 9 cm a small donut with a tiny hole in the middle. This
long and leads from the cervix to the outside of hole connects the vagina to the uterus. It lets
the body. The vaginal opening is between the anus menstrual fluid (blood) out and can let sperm
(butthole) and urethral opening. in. The cervix dilates (stretches open) during
childbirth to make room for the baby to come out
When someone gets their period (or menstruates), of the uterus.
menstrual fluid (blood) leaves the body from the
uterus through the vagina. The vagina is where The cervix produces mucus which helps to keep the
an erect penis can enter the body during sexual vagina clean. Throughout the monthly menstrual
intercourse (sex). The vagina is also where a baby cycle (see page 20), the thickness and amount of
can travel through during birth to move from the mucus changes. Some of this mucus comes out
uterus to outside the body. through the vagina (which is called discharge) and
may be seen on toilet paper or underwear – this is
totally normal and part of a healthy cycle.

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Uterus Hymen
The uterus (sometimes called a womb), is a The hymen is made up of thin elastic folds of
hollow, pear-shaped organ that is about the size tissue just inside the entrance of the vagina.
of a fist. This is where a baby grows during a Hymens come in different shapes and sizes and
pregnancy. The uterus can expand up to 50 cm in vary a lot in how much of the vaginal opening
length to allow for a growing baby! The lining of they cover. The hymen stretches and the opening
the uterus builds up and gets thicker and spongy usually gets larger as the body grows and matures.
each month so that it can make a nice cushy place
for a possible pregnancy (see page 32 – How a Can a tampon break my hymen?
baby is made).
There are lots of myths about the hymen, like the
myth that a hymen can ‘break’ when a tampon is
Fallopian tubes used for the first time. The hymen does not break
These are two tubes, one on each side, that go – it stretches and changes as the body grows.
from the ovaries to the uterus. The fallopian tubes The opening may be big enough for a tampon
carry an egg (ovum) from the ovaries to the uterus to go in easily. If the tampon is bigger than the
each month as part of the menstrual cycle (see opening, the hymen will stretch. Sometimes when
page 20). At the end of each fallopian tube are it stretches there may be some small tears. Going
parts that look like tiny fingers that sweep the egg slowly and using lubricant may help. (See page
into the fallopian tube when it is released. 21-23) for more information about tampons).

Ovaries
There are two ovaries, one at the end of each
fallopian tube. The ovaries store eggs. Each of the
two ovaries is the size of an almond and contains
150,000 to 200,000 eggs (ova) that have been
there since birth! Each egg (ovum) is around
the size of a pin head. The ovaries also produce
hormones including estrogen and progesterone.
During puberty, the ovaries start to release an egg
each month as part of the menstrual cycle. The
time when an egg is released is called ovulation.
Sometimes more than one egg can be released,
but this is not common.

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 Physical changes – girls
As people go through puberty, the body begins
to change shape. For girls, the hips will usually
begin to widen, and thighs will become more
rounded. Breasts will also develop.

Breasts
For a lot of girls, the first sign of puberty is when
breasts start to grow. This will happen at different
ages for different people. Some people might
start to notice their breasts growing when they
are 8 years old and other people might notice
when they are 13 years old or older. At the start of
puberty when breasts are growing, the nipples and
the area around them might be more sensitive and
a bit sore. Breasts can also become tender before
or during periods.

Sometimes people worry about the size of their Should I get a bra?
breasts and think they are too big or too small or
worry about the shape or colour of their nipples. Some people like to wear bras and find that they
There is no one right way for breasts to be. Breasts support the breasts from moving uncomfortably,
and nipples come in all shapes and sizes, just like especially when playing sport. Some people prefer
people do. Sometimes one breast might be a little not to wear bras. There is no set time when it is
bigger that the other. This might be that one breast right to start wearing a bra, if you choose to wear
has grown more quickly than the other or it can one. It may be a good idea to talk it through with
just be the natural difference in the sides of the a trusted adult first. It can be good to ask them to
body. Have a look at other parts of your body – come with you when shopping for bras for the first
your hands, feet, eyes – we often have one side time so that they can help you find one that best
that is slightly bigger or different to the other side. suits your needs.

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First period What is this other vaginal fluid I get
when I don’t have my period?
A first period will usually happen about two
years after the breasts begin to grow. A During the days of your menstrual cycle when
period is part of the menstrual cycle. During you are not bleeding, the cervix still produces
a period, a small amount of blood comes mucus. This mucus keeps the walls of the
out of the vagina over a few days and this vagina clean. Sometimes the mucus is called
happens about once a month. vaginal discharge because it moves through the
vagina to outside the body. Vaginal discharge
Another sign that a girl may be close to changes at different times of your menstrual
getting her first period can be a mucus cycle – sometimes it is clear and slippery and
coming out of the vagina. It might be thin other times it is thicker and sticky; sometimes
and slightly sticky or thick and gooey. It there is only a little bit and sometimes there is
might be noticed when going to the toilet or more. Vaginal discharge is a normal part of the
on underwear. It is usually a creamy yellow menstrual cycle.
or white colour when it dries on underwear.
If you have a lot of vaginal discharge for a while
Many girls will get their first period this might be a sign you have an infection. A
sometime between the ages of 9 and thick white discharge with a funny smell can be
15 years, but it may be earlier or later. a symptom of thrush. When you have thrush,
Everyone is different. If a first period the first thing you notice can be itching in your
doesn’t come by the age of 17 years, talk vagina. Thrush is very common, and it can be
to a doctor about it. People usually stop treated easily. Get to know your body and see a
having their periods between the ages of doctor if you notice anything that is not normal
45 and 55 years. This is called menopause. for your genitals (like an unusual discharge, sore
or itchiness).

Do I need to keep my vagina clean?

Vaginas are self-cleaning, and the mucus made
Many girls will get by the cervix helps with this. You should not wash
their first period inside the vagina and should not use powders,
perfumes or deodorants on your vulva or vagina.
sometime between This can upset the natural balance in your vagina
the ages of 9 and cause infections. Wash your vulva (the outside
parts) gently every day when you have a shower
and 15 years. or a bath using water and your hands to clean
between the folds of the labia (lips).

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 The menstrual cycle
Each month the uterus gets ready for a possible The blood that comes out during a period can
pregnancy. The lining of the uterus becomes look bright red, dark red or brownish. It can be
thick and soft and is full of blood vessels. When thin and watery or thick, or both. A period usually
the ovaries release an egg each month, the egg lasts between 2 and 7 days. For the first year or
travels along a tube (fallopian tube) towards the two when someone starts getting their period
uterus. This is called ovulation. If the egg does not the length of the period might change a lot – this
connect with a sperm, the egg and the thick lining is normal too. During a period about 30–80ml
of the uterus is not needed and will break down (about 2–5 tablespoons) of blood comes out. You
and pass out of the body through the vagina. It might like to try measuring this amount out to
looks like thick blood and is called a period or see what it looks like and try testing some period
menstruation. The process of the body getting products to see how much fluid they can hold.
ready for a possible pregnancy and having a period (See page 21 for more about period products).
is called the menstrual cycle. The whole menstrual
cycle takes about a month. Periods usually come every month, but this can
change, especially during the first
two or three years. Two periods
might come in one month and
then go a few months without
having a period at all. Once a
menstrual cycle becomes more
regular it usually lasts between
21–38 days but this can change
from cycle to cycle.

The amount of blood may be

different on different days of the
period too (it might be heavy,
light or in between). Everyone’s
menstrual cycle and period are
different, and they can change
over time. If you have questions
about periods or are unsure
about anything it is a good idea
to talk to a trusted adult or the
school nurse.

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 Period products
There are different types of period
products that are used to soak up
menstrual fluid. Pads and tampons are
commonly used period products but
there are other options too, like period
underwear and menstrual cups.
Period products can be bought at a pharmacy
or supermarket and come with instructions
and pictures. It’s important not to flush pads or
tampons down the toilet. Put them in the bin
usually provided in the toilet cubicle.

What period products should I use?

There are lots of different period products available now. Some are used to catch the
blood outside of your body such as pads, reusable pads, period knickers, and period
bathers. Some are put inside the vagina to catch the blood before it comes out of
the body – like tampons and menstrual cups. It is up to you to decide which period
products you are comfortable using. Many people use different period products at
different times during their period and different times in their life. Some people like
to use pads at night, some like to use tampons when swimming, some prefer to use
products that can be washed and reused. Some period products are easier to use than
others for beginners.

Finding the products that work best for you can take some time to figure out. You might
want to talk over the different types with a parent, older sibling, cousin, school nurse
or another trusted adult. Period products need to be changed regularly for hygiene and
health reasons – it is best to check the instructions for each product. If a pad or tampon
is left in place too long it can begin to smell. A tampon left in too long can make you sick.

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 What happens if I get my period when I
am at school or at a friend’s house?
It can be a good idea to get an adult to help
you make up a little ‘period pack’. This can
be a pencil case or toiletry bag to hold pads,
tampons, a spare pair of knickers and a plastic
bag (for used knickers and pads/tampons). This
period pack can be kept in a school bag or locker.

If your period starts while out and about, and no Are there some things I can’t do when I
pads or tampons are available, then a pad can be have my period?
made from tissues or toilet paper and put in your
underwear. If your first period comes when you For most people, having their period does not
are at school, try speaking to a teacher or school stop them for doing anything they normally do:
nurse. Often they have helped students with these run, ride, play sport, dance. If you go swimming
things before. you might want to use tampons, menstrual cups
or period bathers.

For some people their period may be heavy, or

they might feel uncomfortable or experience
cramps and pain that may make them not
want to be active – that’s OK! It is important
to remember every person’s body and period
is different. It’s up to you what you feel
comfortable doing while you have your
period.

You should shower or have a bath

It can be a good idea as usual. You might notice you get
sweatier than normal when you have
to get an adult to your period – that’s normal! If your
help you make up a bleeding is so heavy it stops you
from doing normal activities, then
little ‘period pack’. talk to a trusted adult, your school
nurse or a doctor.

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How do I get the tampon in? Tampons should be changed three to six times
a day, depending on the amount of blood flow.
In tampon packets there are instructions for how If a tampon is left in for longer than eight hours
to put a tampon in. These instructions usually have (like when you are sleeping) there is small chance
pictures too. There is a big range of tampons to of getting a serious sickness called toxic shock
choose from and you might try different types of syndrome (TSS). TSS causes sudden high fever,
tampons to find one that is comfortable for you. vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache,
Some come with applicators which help to put muscle pain and rash. For this reason, some
the tampon in place. When a tampon is properly people prefer to use pads at night.
inserted, it can’t be felt at all.

• Using a hand-held mirror can help you Do I need to take a tampon out
see what you are doing when you are first to wee or poo?
learning to use tampons.
A tampon is put inside the vagina. Urine (wee)
• Wash your hands before and after putting a comes out of the urethral opening – this is a
tampon in your vagina. different hole to the vagina (just above the vaginal
• Try not to touch the tampon much when you opening). There is also a different hole for the
take it out of the wrapper. faeces (poo) to come out (called an anus). So you
don’t need to take a tampon out to go wee or poo.
• Find a position that you are comfortable in –
this might be squatting, having one leg raised
with your foot on the toilet or sitting on the
toilet.
• Push the unwrapped tampon gently into your
vagina using your finger or the applicator.
• Push the tampon slowly towards your lower
back until the whole tampon is inside the
vagina and you can’t feel it anymore.
• Leave the string hanging out of the vaginal
opening so you can take tampon out later.

Sometimes it can be uncomfortable when

inserting a tampon for the first time. If you are
uncomfortable you can take the tampon out and
use a different period product. Try again another
time if you want to. It can take some practice.

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 How do I get the tampon out? Will I get period pain?
A tampon won’t fall out if the whole Just before a period begins, you might feel an
tampon is pushed inside the vagina and ache in the stomach or pelvic area. This is often
put behind the muscles at the entry of the called cramps and can last for the first 12 hours
vagina. It can’t get lost inside you, either. or longer. Some people say they feel bloated and
The cervix stops the tampon going any heavy at this time. If you do have pain during your
further than the vagina. (Remember, the period, try some stretches or other light exercise,
vagina is only about 9 cm long.) or curl up with a heated wheat bag or place a hot-
water bottle on the sore area. If this doesn’t work,
To take a tampon out, slowly pull on the it is possible to take pain relief. Talk to a trusted
string that is hanging out of the vaginal adult, doctor or the chemist about what kind of
opening. As you gently pull the string the relief would be good for you.
tampon should slide out of the vagina.
You may also find yourself feeling more emotional,
Don’t forget to take one tampon out before or moody, in the days before your period. These
putting another one in. And remember to physical and emotional symptoms are sometimes
remove the last tampon when your period called pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Not every
is finished. person has all of these symptoms. They usually
go away after your period starts. Some people
get diarrhoea or constipation just before a period.
Drinking lots of water and eating fruit, vegetables
and wholemeal bread and cereals can be helpful.

If the symptoms you have stop you doing your

normal activities like going to school or spending
time with friends, it is important to talk to a trusted
adult and the school nurse or your doctor.

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A tour of the male
reproductive system
(sex organs)

Penis
The penis is made up of two parts – the shaft and the glans.
At the end of the glans is the tip (sometimes called the head).
At the end of this is a small opening where urine (wee) and
semen exit the body through a tube called the urethra. The
penis is made up of spongey tissue that can expand and
contract. Penises, just like other parts of our bodies, vary in
size and how they look. There is a wide range of
normal sizes for penises.

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 Why does my penis go hard?
Hard on? Boner? Woody? Stiffy?
What nicknames have you heard
for erections?
An erection is when the penis goes from being
floppy and soft, to being larger and hard. It may
stick straight out or curve up or down. The penis
isn’t made of muscle and it doesn’t have any
bones, it becomes hard when blood flows into
the spongy tissue inside the penis.

Erections can happen from the time you are

a baby but as you go through puberty, they
will probably happen more. This is completely
normal. Erections can happen when you are
sexually excited (turned on). They can also
happen when you are nervous or excited… or
for no obvious reason at all. It is common to get
erections during the night and when you first
wake up in the morning.

Sometimes erections happen when you don’t

want them to. There are some things you can
do to help like wearing loose clothing (that can
help hide erections) or distracting yourself with
other things. Erections are usually easier to
control as you get older.

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 Scrotum and testicles
The scrotum is the sac of skin that hangs outside the body below
Foreskin the penis. The testicles (testes or ‘balls’) are two ball-like glands
that hang in the scrotum (sac). The testicles produce the hormone
At birth, penises have a fold
testosterone which is a major part of puberty for people with
of skin that covers the glans
testicles. During puberty the testicles start to make sperm and
(tip). Some people’s parents
semen.
choose to have a doctor
remove the foreskin soon after The testicles need to be kept the right temperature for sperm
they are born. This is known as to develop normally. This is why they hang outside the body. If
circumcision. Circumcision may it’s too cold, the scrotum pulls the testicles closer to the body.
be done for cultural, religious If it’s too warm, the testicles hang away from the body. It is
or medical reasons. This makes quite normal for one testicle to be larger or to hang lower
the penis look a little different than the other. The scrotum is covered with wrinkly skin and
but it works the same way with or many have lots of tiny, painless bumps on them – these are
without a foreskin. normal. Scrotums can be big or small. During puberty they
can grow a little hair or a lot of hair. They can also vary in
colour just like the rest of the skin on the body.

Testicles and scrotums are sensitive, touching

them gently can feel good…hitting, twisting
and rough handling can hurt a lot. When
playing sports, some people like to protect
their testicles with a ‘cup’ (a hard
cup-shaped piece of plastic worn in
underwear). It’s a good idea to feel your
testicles to learn what’s normal for
you, so you can tell if there are
any changes and get help from
a trusted adult or doctor.

27
 Sperm
Sperm are shaped like a tadpole and their ‘tails’ help them move. This movement
for sperm is important for making babies because it helps a sperm and egg to
meet. Sperm are so tiny they can only be seen under a microscope.

Semen
Semen is a thick whitish fluid that carries sperm
to the outside of the body through the tip of
the penis. The tube that runs from the testicles
to the urethra and out the end of the penis is
where semen is carried to the outside of the
body. Glands along the tube (seminal vesicle and
prostate gland) help to provide fluids that mix
with sperm to form semen. These fluids lubricate
the tubes and nourish the sperm.

What is ejaculation?
When the penis is hard and someone gets very sexually excited (turned on), a thick white
liquid (semen) may shoot out of the end of the penis. This is called ejaculation. Sometimes
people call this ‘cum’ or ‘come’. The semen or ejaculate contains 200-500 million sperm.
This liquid is not the same thing as urine (pee). Pee and ejaculate can’t come out at the same
time – the body blocks the pee from coming out when ejaculating. Sometimes a thin, slippery
liquid drips out of the penis before ejaculation – this is called ‘pre-cum’ or ‘pre-ejaculate’. This
is totally normal. Sometimes small amounts of sperm can be found in pre-cum. When sperm
gets inside a vagina, it can meet with an egg which can start a pregnancy.

28
What happens to my urine when I ejaculate? How do I keep my
penis clean?
Urine collects in the bladder until it can leave the body.
Semen and urine (wee) travel through the same tube Gently wash your penis with
(urethra) to reach the outside of the body. When a penis is warm water each day when you
erect (hard) the flow of urine is stopped. This means that are having a shower or bath. If
semen and urine are not mixed together. It can be difficult you have a foreskin, pull it back
to urinate when you have an erection and might feel a little gently and wash underneath.
uncomfortable. This will go away when the erection goes
down and you will be able to urinate like normal. Your foreskin should never be
pulled back by force. Most boys
find that the foreskin is easy to pull
What is a wet dream?
back by about 5 years of age, but
Sometimes ejaculation can happen while you are for some it may not be easily pulled
sleeping. A wet dream is when a small amount of semen back until they are in their teens.
(about a teaspoonful) comes out of the penis while you Don’t forget to clean the base of the
are asleep. This might be because of a ‘sexy’ dream penis and testicles too.
or because the penis was stimulated when it rubbed
against sheets or clothes. Wet dreams are completely
normal. For some people it might happen once or
twice, for other people it might happen more often. If
you don’t have wet dreams, that’s normal too.

Sometimes your underwear, pyjamas or bed sheets A wet dream is when

might need to be washed after a wet dream. You
might want to tell someone at home, or you might a small amount of
just take the underwear, pyjamas or sheets off and semen comes out of
put them for washing.
the penis while you
are asleep

29
 Physical changes – boys
As boys go through puberty, their body Genitals
beings to change shape. The shoulders
The testicles will start to produce and store sperm
and chest usually begin to widen and
during puberty which means that the person will
muscles will usually get bigger and (usually) be physically able to make a baby. The
stronger (not like a body-builder, but penis also starts to get longer and thicker. This
bigger and stronger than a child’s). happens at different ages for each person and it
can take several years for the penis to grow to its
Breasts final size. For adults, the average sized penis when
hard is about 13 cm long. The size of the penis
The hormones that start the puberty changes when it is soft doesn’t really have anything to do
can also cause some changes to the chest for with how big it gets when it’s hard (erect). Some
boys (around one-third of boys). They may notice people’s penises get much bigger when they’re
swelling or lumps under their nipples. The nipples erect, others stay pretty much the same size as
may also feel tender when clothing rubs against they are when they are soft.
them. This is normal and usually nothing to worry
about. The swelling usually lasts around four to six Sometimes we compare ourselves and our
months, but it may continue for longer. bodies to the ones we see around us – on TV,
in movies, online, in our daily life. It is important
to remember that everyone’s body is different,
and bodies come in a lot of different shapes and
sizes! Penises, just like other parts of our bodies,
vary in size and how they look.

30
 Body hair During puberty,
Along with the hair that may the voice will change
start to grow in the armpits
and around the genitals (pubic and become deeper.
hair), boys may also find more hair
growing on their legs, arms and chest.
Hair will usually also appear on the chin
(beard) and upper lip (moustache). Everyone
has different amounts of hair. Some people
might have lots of hair and others might have
very little hair – this is all normal.
Voice
Should I shave my facial hair?
During puberty the voice will change
Your facial hair will be thin and soft at first but and can become deeper, this is
may become thicker and more bristly as you sometime called ‘voice cracking’
grow older. Some people choose to remove or ‘breaking’. Some people’s voices
body hair. When it comes to removing hair on change slowly over time and others
the face, some people choose to shave. If this is might change quickly. It can be
something you choose to do, you may not need difficult to control a changing voice
to shave much at first and as your hair grows and it might make some squeaky or
thicker, you may have to shave more often to croaky sounds at times – this is all
keep the same ‘clean shaven’ look or feel. normal. The changes in the voice are
caused by parts of the body (larynx)
If you are thinking about shaving for the first
growing and changing. As the larynx
time, you can talk to a parent or a trusted adult
grows, some people notice a small
about this. You may also like some shaving
rounded shape just under the skin at the
lessons from someone who has done it before!
front of the throat that sticks out a little
Try not to share razors with other people as it can
(this is often called the Adam’s apple).
pass on infections.

Some people may choose to shave or wax to

remove the hair from other parts of their body
too. Sometimes people remove the hair from their
chest, back or around their genitals (pubic hair). It
is up to you to make decisions about your body
hair. There are no right or wrong choices.

31
 How a baby is made
Once a girl starts releasing eggs during puberty
they are able to get pregnant if they have penis-
in-vagina sex. To make a baby a sperm needs to
join with an egg. During penis-in-vagina sexual
intercourse (sex) an erect penis can be put inside
a vagina. When a penis ejaculates inside a vagina
the semen that carries the sperm is released inside.
The sperm can start to move (‘swim’) towards
an egg. Around the time an egg is released from
an ovary (ovulation), the cervix produces a clear
and slippery mucus which makes it easier for the
sperm to move into the uterus and up towards the
egg in the fallopian tube. If a sperm joins with an
egg this is called fertilisation. If the fertilised egg
implants into the uterus a pregnancy begins.

There are ways people can prevent making a baby

when they have penis-in-vagina sex. This is called
contraception.

If you would like some more information about

this check out page 36 for a list of helpful books
and websites.

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Looking after yourself
With all these big changes in your body,
it is important to look after yourself well.
Some things that are helpful:

• Eat a well-balanced diet with lots of fresh

fruit and vegetables. This helps keep up your
energy levels and improve your mood. A lot
of people find they eat more during puberty
because their body needs energy to grow and
develop.
• Get moving. If you don’t enjoy sport, try
hitting the dance floor (or the lounge room)
with friends. Ride to school, take your dog
for a walk, go for a swim or get out on your
skateboard. Choose an activity that you
enjoy! Moving your body can help you
sleep better and make you feel good.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Get enough rest and relaxation. Make
sure that this isn’t always in front of
a screen! Try reading a book, doing
some art or listening to music.
• Get enough sleep. Young people
need more sleep than adults, so
their bodies and brains can grow
and develop.
Young people need
more sleep than adults,
so their bodies and brains
can grow and develop.

33
 Body image
As you get older you may start to notice
different things about your body and the
way you look. You might also start to take
more notice of how the people around you
look. Sometimes you might even compare
yourself to those around you. This is a
really common part of puberty and getting
older, but it can be a problem if it starts to
make you feel bad about your own body.

The world around us tells us all kinds of

things about what the ‘perfect body’ is
supposed to look like. A lot of the images
we see in movies, TV, advertisements
and social media only show people with
bodies that look a certain way. Many of
these images have even been changed
or edited (photoshopped) to make the
bodies look a specific way. It can be
hard to tell what is real and what has
been changed.

In reality there is no perfect body!

Bodies come in all different shapes
and sizes. Look around at your family, friends
and people you see on the street. People with all
different kinds of bodies are healthy, happy and
doing things they enjoy.

It can be hard to avoid comparing yourself to

others, but it is a good idea to remind yourself that
we are all different and unique! Have fun finding
your own personal style and appreciate qualities
in yourself and others that are not about looks
– making people laugh, being kind, giving 100%
at school, being a good teammate. What do you
appreciate about yourself?

34
Mental wellbeing
As well as physical changes happening to your body that
you can see on the outside, there are changes happening
on the inside too. Hormones can make us feel happy,
excited or a bit moody and emotional; everyone has
their ups and downs (even adults – but you already
know that!). It is just as important to take care of your
mental wellbeing as it is your physical health.

There are plenty of things you can do to help take

care of your mental wellbeing like eating well, getting
enough sleep, exercising, taking time to relax if you
are stressed, doing things you enjoy, spending time
with family and friends, and being involved in your
community. Sometimes you might not be able to deal
with a worry on your own or you might feel more
emotional than usual. When this happens, it is a good
idea to talk to a trusted adult and ask for help if you
need it. Talking to someone can be a great way to
take care of your mental wellbeing and can help to
cope with worries.

If you have feelings of sadness that don’t

go away, feel worried on most days, feel
like everything is too hard or just don’t
feel like yourself it is important to talk to
a trusted adult. Just like you need to look
after your physical health, you need to look
after your mental health too. Sometimes this
means talking to a health professional like a
doctor or a counsellor.

35
 Conclusion
Puberty is a time of many changes which can make you feel all sorts of emotions.
Talking things through and having people that can answer your questions and help you
makes things a whole lot easier! Can you think of 5 trusted adults you can talk to?

If you would like more reliable information, check out …

• Relationships, sex and other stuff – a booklet available from teachers, school nurses and online
• getthefacts.health.wa.gov.au – a website about sexual health and relationships for teens

If you would like help with any of these topics, try …

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 – a helpline for kids on all topics
• Headspace www.headspace.org.au – mental health support for young people
• The Butterfly Foundation www.butterfly.org.au – support for body image concerns
• Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.au – mental health support
• Sexual Health Helpline 9227 6178 (metro) 1800 198 205 (country)
[email protected] – for answers to your sexual health questions

An electronic version of Puberty can be accessed at

gdhr.wa.gov.au/document/pubertybook
Additional copies of this book can be ordered by contacting
[email protected]

SHP-013325 Last revised OCT’21

Copyright to this material is vested in the
State of Western Australia unless otherwise indicated.
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study,
Produced by research, criticism or review, as permitted under the provisions of the
Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or re-used for any purposes
© Department of Health 2023 whatsoever without written permission of the State of Western Australia.

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