Full transcript
intro
0:00Hey there, I'm Greta and I'm a women's
0:02wellness coach and I'm so glad you're
0:04here. Let's talk about growing up and
0:07how a girl's body changes during puberty
0:09so that you know what to expect as you
0:12get older. So, what is puberty? Puberty
what is puberty?
0:15is a time when your body starts changing
0:17because of special messengers called
0:19hormones. Hormones help your body grow
0:21taller, stronger, and prepare it for
0:24adulthood. These changes happen slowly
0:27over several years, not all at once.
0:30Let's talk about some of the most common
0:32changes you'll notice during puberty.
0:34One of the first changes that girls
0:35notice is breast development. You might
breast development
0:38feel a small bump or swelling under one
0:41or both nipples and a little soreness or
0:44tenderness. These bumps are called
0:46breast buds and they're often the first
0:49sign of puberty. Breast buds can begin
0:51to develop anywhere between the ages of
0:548 and 13.
0:56It's very normal for one side to start
0:58growing before the other, for growth to
1:00happen slowly, and for breasts to grow
1:03at different speeds. Breasts continue to
1:06develop over several years. This may be
1:09a time when you start wearing a training
1:11bra.
1:12Another change you'll notice is new hair
1:14growing. This can include hair under
puberty hair growth
1:17your arms, hair on the outside of your
1:19vulva called pubic hair, and hair on
1:21your legs becoming darker and thicker.
1:24This usually starts after breast buds
1:26appear, but again, everyone's body has
1:29its own schedule. Eventually, you may
1:32decide to shave this hair. Be sure to
1:34ask a trusted adult to help you shave
1:36safely for the first time.
1:38Body odor. As you grow, the sweat glands
body odor
1:41under your arms also start to change.
1:44That's why your sweat might start to
1:46smell stronger. You might want to start
1:48wearing deodorant and daily bathing
1:50becomes more important. Now, let's talk
1:53about periods, also called menstruation.
periods, menstruation
1:57There is a place inside of your body
1:59called your uterus. Once you start your
2:01period, each month your uterus practices
2:04building a uterine lining, which is like
2:06a soft, cozy home for a baby to one day
2:08grow in. But when pregnancy doesn't
2:10happen, that lining isn't needed, so it
2:13sheds off and comes out of your body
2:15through your vagina as period blood.
2:19When you start your period, you'll put a
2:20pad in your underwear. The pad will
2:22absorb the period blood and keep you
2:24comfortable.
2:26Once you start your period, it will come
2:27once a month and last about 3 to 7 days.
2:32It is not an injury or something bad.
2:34It's just a natural part of growing up
2:37and going from a girl to a woman. Most
2:40girls get their first period between the
2:42ages of 10 and 15 years old, often about
2:462 years after breast buds start to form.
discharge
2:50Before your first period starts, you may
2:52notice clear or white discharge in your
2:54underwear, and this is completely
2:57normal. You might also notice mood
period signs
2:59changes,
3:00mild cramps and tummy aches. You can
period kit
3:03make a simple period kit to keep in your
3:06backpack or locker at school, so you're
3:08prepared for whenever your period
3:10starts. In a little bag, add several
3:13pads and a fresh pair of underwear.
3:16Growth spurts.
growth spurt
3:17One big part of puberty is something
3:19called a growth spurt. This is a time
3:21when your body grows taller and faster
3:23than usual. For many girls, growth
3:26spurts can begin anywhere between ages 8
3:28and 13.
3:30Some girls notice changes earlier, and
3:33some girls notice changes later, and
3:35both are completely normal. During a
3:37growth spurt, you might grow several
3:39inches in a short period of time. You
3:41might need new clothes or shoes more
3:43often, and you might feel extra hungry
3:46or tired.
3:47You also might notice aches in your legs
3:50or knees, often called growing pains.
3:53Most girls grow quickly for 1 to 2
3:55years, and then their growth slows down.
3:57Many will reach their adult height a few
3:59years after their first period, though
4:01small changes in height can continue
4:03into your late teens. When will all
stages of puberty in girls
4:06these changes happen? Here's a general
4:08timeline, but remember everyone grows at
4:11their own pace. Between the ages of 8
4:13and 10, breast buds may begin to form
4:16and body odor may change. Between the
4:19ages of 9 and 12, hair growth starts and
4:22growth spurts happen.
4:25Between the ages of 10 and 15, your
4:27first period may come.
4:29Some girls start earlier, some later.
4:32All of it is normal. Here are some
important reminders
4:34important reminders. Your body will
4:36change in its own timing. Puberty does
4:39not happen overnight, and it's okay to
4:42ask questions. Talking to a trusted
4:44adult like a parent, teacher, caregiver,
4:47doctor, or coach can really help. You've
4:51got this, girl.