First Things First
The first step in understanding puberty and your body is to know that your questions and concerns are completely normal. The next step is to understand that you’re not the only one with these concerns. Women of all ages have experienced some of the very things you’re experiencing now. It’s important to remember this because many times a female adult can answer some of your questions. However, if you’re not ready to ask someone those questions, we’ll try to answer them here.

When Does it Begin?
In girls, puberty usually begins between the ages of 9 and 13 years. It lasts about two to three years, so the body changes have been completed by the time a girl is 11 to 16 years old. Usually the first sign of puberty is the beginning of breast development (breast budding). This may start as small, sometimes tender lumps under the nipple that will gradually enlarge. Approximately 80-85 percent of the time this is how female puberty starts. The other 15-20 percent of the time the first sign may be long coarse hair in the pubic area. Also you may notice some body odor and a small amount of clear sticky vaginal discharge. If you want to learn about the signs of mid-puberty, click here.

Tell Me About My First Period
The day you get your first menstrual period is one you will always remember. Most girls are excited about having reached this stage of passage into womanhood. Most girls are also a bit worried. What will it be like? Will I be able to manage my periods without anyone knowing? If you want to learn more, click here. We have an entire article telling you what to expect, what’s normal and what isn’t.

When Will My Breasts Grow Larger?
The development of tender breast “buds” is usually the first sign of puberty in girls. Some girls notice breast growth as early as age 7 or 8, while others don’t start until age 13 or so. The timing is determined by your own biologic “clock” that tells your body to start producing high levels of female hormones. Breasts go through five “stages” of growth over the next five to six years, until their full maturity is reached by age 17 or 18. The final size of a girl’s breasts is determined by heredity and can range from very small (like bra size AA) to very full (such as size EE). Breast size varies greatly among women, and all sizes and shapes are normal and healthy.

If you want to learn more, click here. We have an entire article telling you about the different stages of breast growth, what to expect when they first start to grow and what can be done to make breasts larger or smaller.

Help Me Get Rid of this Acne.
Don’t worry, you’re not the only teenager facing these annoying blemishes. About 90 percent of all teenagers put up with acne. Fortunately, many have the milder form and get just a few blackheads or whiteheads now and then. Acne generally does not become a problem until you reach adolescence, which is when the increased hormone levels cause your skin's oil (sebaceous) glands to work overtime. Normally, these glands produce an oily substance called "sebum." A mixture of fats and waxes, sebum travels through the duct and spreads over the skin, keeping the hair and skin moist. The excess oil causes the openings of the glands to be clogged with sebum and dead cells. If the plug stays below the surface, it is called a whitehead; If it works its way to the surface, oxygen causes it to take on a black color (thus the name "blackhead"). In addition, the plug becomes an excellent environment for the growth of normal skin bacteria resulting in swelling and redness (a “pimple”). In severe cases, deep pustules or cysts may develop.

Other things that can cause acne, or make it worse, are certain drugs, exposure to industrial oils, grease, and chemicals, and stress and strong emotions (which may account for breakouts before the senior prom).

There is no "magic bullet" that will cure this common skin condition. There are many things you can do to reduce the symptoms of acne and make your life more bearable. If you want to learn more about reducing your symptoms of acne, click here.

Do I Need to Lose Weight?
This is a big concern for many female teenagers. Almost 25 percent of adolescents are already overweight or even obese (harsh word, but true) by medical standards. Extra weight gain often starts in puberty, and overweight teens are very likely to remain overweight as adults. So the teen years are a great time to learn how to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. You’ll find hundreds of popular books and programs and advertisements about weight loss, some very good and some just hype. If you’d like a summary of the best health information currently available on weight control, click here.

On the flip side, there are many teens who suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders are psychological problems in which the person has unusual eating habits. There are two major eating disorders. To learn more about these disorders, click here.

What’s Going on with My Emotions?
As you go through puberty, your body is producing a large amount of hormones. This increase in hormones can cause changes in your emotions. You can experience feelings of sadness for no reason. Something minor can happen, such as tripping on a stone while walking to school, and it might make you cry. Most of the time, these changes in emotion are normal and once you’ve gone through puberty, the emotional roller coaster should slow down. However, there are some teens who go through drastic mood swings, which aren’t normal. This can be a serious problem requiring the attention of a health care professional. To learn more about the symptoms of depression and how to seek help, click here.

How Do We Know Puberty is Complete?
Puberty is pretty much complete when pubic hair attains an adult pattern – which is an inverted triangle, covering the entire pubic area, with some extension of hair down the inner thighs. Also puberty is complete when your breasts are adult configuration.

For more information about your body and the changes you’ll go through during puberty, take a look at these articles:
Being a Self-Assured Teenage Girl
Common Skin Problems
Deciding to Use Tampons
Defining Clinical Depression
Family vs. Friends
Growth Calculator: How Tall Will You Be?
More Common Skin Problems
Sports Conditioning and Its Impact on Menstruation
Talking to Your Parents
Top 10 Acne Myths