BOYS AND PUBERTY

What is puberty?

Puberty is the period of growing and changing from a child to an adult.

How old are boys when puberty begins?

For boys, puberty can start anytime between the ages of 10 and 18.

Each person is different, and will start and go through puberty on his or her body’s own rate.

Outside of Boys Bodies

Inside Boys Bodies

Puberty changes, from top to bottomPuberty is triggered when the pituitary

gland in your brain sends signals to your body to produce testosterone. It’s the testosterone that kick-starts puberty.

Puberty changes, from top to bottomYou will notice that you start to grow hair

on your face (around your chin and top lip) and that it’s shape will go from round to oval. Your nose and jaw will also become more of a feature. Your hairline will also recede a bit. Males’ faces tend to change more than girls’ do.

Puberty changes, from top to bottom

During puberty your voice will start to crack then drop and sound much deeper. This is because testosterone makes the voice box and vocal chords grow larger – which you’ll see from the way your Adam’s apple sticks out. It’s common to feel a bit embarrassed when your voice suddenly comes out as a squeak – this is because the muscles in your larynx wobble for a split second.

Puberty changes, from top to bottomYou’ll find that your shoulders are

becoming broader – this will give you added strength. As you grow your muscles will also get bigger as you get stronger. You get bigger before you get stronger though, so don't worry if you look stronger than you are for a while..

Puberty changes, from top to bottomYou will sprout hair on your armpits that

will probably be quite light and thin to begin with and then become darker and curlier as you get older. You will also start to sweat more to help regulate your body temperature.

Puberty changes, from top to bottomDuring puberty your testicles and penis

will start to grow along with dark coarse pubic hair. You may also start to experience erections where blood flows to the end of your penis causing it to become firm and hard. You may also ejaculate semen and have wet dreams.

Your changing emotionsAs well as the physical changes you may

notice other changes in your emotions and the way you feel about things. You may find your relationships with other people change and you feel different about social situations. It’s likely that you’ll want to spend more time with your friends and less time with your family. It’s also common to want to spend more time by yourself, in your bedroom or alone somewhere.

This is a normal part of puberty and starting to become an adult, but you might find that it can be difficult for others – especially adults to understand this. It’s common to feel that you don’t get on with your parents, especially as you’ll now be looking for more freedom and independence and this can cause tension and arguments.

Knowing that friction is natural in households with young people can help. It’s also important to know that this is a time of change and adjustment but these feelings will not last forever and soon you’ll feel more in control.