What’s happening to my body?

Puberty… everyone goes through it!

Your thoughts (38)

Maybe you’ve noticed that your body is feeling a bit different lately, parts of you are changing and you’re a lot more sensitive too. This is all very normal – it’s called puberty.

Puberty? Tell me more…

Everyone is different, but one thing we all have in common – both boys and girls – is that we go through puberty. It’s a time in your life that shows you’re growing up into an adult. You could start puberty as young as 7 or 8 years old and it will last for up to four or five years, but no matter what age you start, we all eventually go through it.

Time for some change

Many things will start to happen with your body, here’s what you need to know…

  • Your breasts will start to grow
  • You will get taller
  • Your skin and hair may become oilier
  • Your body will fill out and you may get curvier
  • You may start to get a few pimples
  • You’ll grow hair under your armpits and around your vagina (pubic hair)
  • You’ll get your period

All about your period

When you hit puberty, one of the most important changes in a girl’s body is when you start your menstrual cycle – your period.

During the early phase of your period, your hormones grow eggs in your ovaries. In the next phase, your ovaries release these eggs. Meanwhile, your hormones are helping to build the lining of your womb, so that if your eggs are fertilised (by male sperm) through sex, it is ready for pregnancy.

If the eggs are not fertilised, this lining is released through the vagina in a liquid form that includes blood (your period). That’s it – it’s nothing scary or weird, just your amazing body keeping busy doing amazing things!

Puberty can sound scary, but remember we all go through it – so know you’re not alone!

Want to read more inspiring stories like this one? Then head to our Springster Facebook page and connect with a community of girls just like you! - https://www.facebook.com/heyspringster

Share your feedback

Your thoughts

that is true . but so scary

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Am 11 years but haven't seen my period is it normal

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

Yes it is very normal, some people even start by 15yrs

please does sweets affect menstrual flow?

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

It depends on the type of sweet u lick.. if it's sugary one,yes it affect

cos when I take it, the pains increases and it flows heavily than normal especially if I take tea

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

big sis pls i need an answer,when ever am on my period i always have stomach pain,why is it lik dat

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Pls big sister i need your reply maa am 22yrs and my brest is very small and i dont like it what can i do

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

Dont worry, evri1 is different;it will still grow

Pls big sis i am new and i need a reply because i'm told that puberty starts from 12 yrs .pls how come 7 to 8 yrs

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Am 18 years my penis is too small please what is the disease in my body

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

What do you mean by too small?? People has different shapes and sizes so.. You r still growing

Yes Alberta. Taking sugary things make your flow thick and heavy which makes it very painful.

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Hmm Like seriously

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

What if someone think she pregnant, are the End of the day, her period come up. So what happen

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

What can i do 2 have pink lips

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Pls I didn't see my period for 3 months is that a problem

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

hope u did not hav sex n if not dont worry ubwill soon see it

Hey Angel! Thanks for the comment. You need to talk to a trusted adult about this and also see a doctor. There is an organization called 'Education as a Vaccine' who run a Helpline that you can call and find out everything you need to know about health issues, including menstruation and pregnancy. The number is 08 02 71 92 781 and it's free if you call from Airtel and open Monday to Friday from 9 till 5. It's completely confidential so you don't need to give your name or any details - you can just ask questions and get the support you need. Good luck with everything.

my breast are too small pls wat can i do to make it atleast a little big

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey lizzy! Thanks for the comment. The size of your breast is hormonal and may increase as you grow. Do not worry about it as there is little you can do to increase it. Just be comfortable in your skin and take your mind off it besides, you still have time to grow as you are still really young. Remember that the size of your breast does not determine what you will be in life. Look at the mirror and tell yourself that you are beautiful (big breast or not). We hope this helps.

Same here big Sis. I'm almost 20 but my breast are small. my younger sisters have big breast and I'm ashamed of mine. someone told me it's OK to use breast enlargement. is it true?

Send pictures of it, I know someone who can help

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

i am pregnant

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

how did you know that you are pregnant and by who, when and where did it happen

WHA. How? Who? When? Why?. Just Say U Are Joking

How Old Are U And Y So Soon.

Hey gift! Thanks for the comment. You need to talk to a trusted adult about this and also see a doctor. There is an organization called 'Education as a Vaccine' who run a Helpline that you can call and find out everything you need to know about health issues, including menstruation and pregnancy. The number is 08 02 71 92 781 and it's free if you call from Airtel and open Monday to Friday from 9 till 5. It's completely confidential so you don't need to give your name or any details - you can just ask questions and get the support you need. Good luck with everything.

sounds perfect to hear, some time ago inside last year I once explain it to a very nice and young girl who came close to me and asked me if I can help her to define the term puberty to her, and I said why so she said she have as an assignment which was given to them in their classroom to take it home and study it to be submitted the following weeks , so I have no choice than to help her out so I break it down for her to understand it properly. so when she started developing breast on her chest and hair on her arms she ran to me and she was trying to explain to me what she is experiencing from her body and I said to her she can't come to me again that she have to show it to her step mother that her step mother will surely explain better to her so on and so on ...... I rest my case.

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Big Sis Pls Am New I Need Ur Reply. I Cant Open Up To My Mum And I Lost My Dad On New Year Eve. I Have A Seed In My Breast Is It Safe.

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Big Sis Pls Am New I Need Ur Reply. I Cant Open Up To My Mum And I Lost My Dad On New Year Eve. I Have A Seed In My Breast Is It Safe.

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey BIGLOVE! Thanks for the comment. We are so sorry about your loss. We understand that both you and your mum are still grieving but you need to talk to a trusted adult about it. You should also see a doctor to be sure that there is nothing else wrong. This is just for you to be on the safe side. If you feel like your mum can't handle it, talk to another trusted adult maybe an aunt, uncle, neighbor, cousin etc. We hope this helps

Is it normal for my skin tone to be different in some parts of my body? like my legs, my stomach and my back

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Springster! Thanks for opening up through this comment. Yes, it is perfectly normal for you to have a different skin tone on certain parts of your body especially places that you do not normally expose to the sun. These places tend to be lighter than the other parts of your body that are regularly exposed to sun like your neck, face, hands etc. We hope this helps

Hey Springster! Thanks for the comment. Yes, it is possible. The parts of your body that is usually exposed to the sun (face, neck, hands and sometimes legs) tend to get darker than the parts that are hardly exposed to the sun. It is not something for you to worry about. We hope this helps

I dont feel confident with my body

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

I did't see my period over 4 month what can i do

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

I didn't feel it

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.