coder Changes during puberty can
come as a surprise to every
young girl, but remember that
everyone goes through puberty
at different rates and in different
orders, so don’t worry if you
haven’t experienced all the signs
of girls’ puberty yet.

Here are all
the details so you’re ready when
it happens!

1. Growing Really Fast
AND all the sudden your jeans are
too short. Where’d that come
from? It’s known as a “growth
spurt” and it’s one of the first
signs that puberty has begun.
First, you may notice your feet
and hands getting bigger. Next,
your arm and leg bones grow so
you’re taller. You may also gain
some weight to match the boost
in your bone size.
This is sometimes called “the
awkward time” because you feel
like your body is not quite
proportional. But don’t worry!
Your body knows what it’s doing
and soon enough, it will even
itself out.

2. Bigger Breasts

Your boobs develop in stages. At
first you may notice what feel like
little “buds,” or swellings, under
your nipples. After that your
breasts will get bigger and fuller,
and may feel more than a little
sore at times.
Remember, every girl is different.
How large or small your breasts
will be depends on the physical,
genetic traits in your family.
Wondering how big your boobs
will get? It takes two to three
years to reach their permanent
size.

3. Body Hair!

You’ll notice hair growing in your
pubic area, that section of your
middle that a bikini bottom
covers. At first, this hair is soft
and there's not much of it. Later,
it grows longer and becomes a
little curly.
Around this time, hair will grow
under your arms too. This is a
good time to ask mom if you can
try shaving.

4. More Curves

Hello, curves! As your pelvis (the
large bone across your hips)
begins to grow, your hips get
wider, your breasts develop and
your waist gets smaller. In other
words, your body gets some
“shape.”
Some girls gain weight quickly
during this time. Exercise and eat
well, but don’t get worried.
Weight gain is absolutely a
natural part of puberty!

5. More Sweat

Is it hot in here? It may just be
you sweating more! It’s because
your sweat glands are becoming
larger and more active. This is
probably a good time to try out
deodorants with help from your
mom.

6. Oily Skin and Hair
Pimples, zits and grease – oh my!

During puberty, the pores in your
skin produce more oil, especially
on your face. Enter acne. It’s
probably time to get in a new
routine of washing your hair and
face more often. Just don’t freak
out too much. Everyone has zits
pop up!

7. Changes in Your
Genitals

Your genitals also grow and
change during puberty. Your
outside parts (the vulva) are
enclosed by two sets of “lips.”
The larger lips have hair; the
inner, smaller lips don't. These
increase in size a little bit.
You can’t see it, but inside your
body, your vagina is getting
longer and your uterus is getting
bigger.

8. Discharge

Have your underwear been
getting a little wet sometimes?
Have you noticed yellow or white
stains in your undies at the end
of the day?
This is discharge, the fluid that's
produced by your body to
naturally moisten and cleanse
your vagina. It's perfectly normal
and means that you’ll probably
start having periods very soon.

9. Your Period

A big red sign that you’re well on
your way through puberty! For
the first two years, your periods
can be very unpredictable. You
could have one period and then
wait as long as six months for
the next one. One period may last
a day, another, ten days. You may
experience spotting between
periods.
It takes one or two years for
your periods to even out.
Eventually, your cycle will settle
into a regular pattern that’s
unique to your body.