If you’re a normal teenage boy, you most likely have these types of questions about what’s going on with your body. Puberty is an exciting part of your life. Your body is going changes and in a sense, you’re learning about who you are. This article will help you understand some of those issues and direct you to other places to learn more.

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. Men of all ages have experienced some of the very things you’re experiencing now. It’s important to remember this because many times a male 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?
The first sign of puberty is usually some enlargement of the testicles. This may occur almost at the same time as the appearance of pubic hair. You may also notice the appearance of some body odor and increased hair on your face and under your arms. You can see these are pretty obvious changes and you shouldn’t have any trouble recognizing when you’ve started puberty. In boys these changes may take place between the ages of 10 ½ and 13. To learn more about what happens to your body during puberty, take a look at this article.

Your Changing Voice
The voice change is the result of structural changes in the larynx (voice box) under the influence of the male hormone testosterone. Voice change in the average boy begins in early puberty when a boy’s testicles begin to enlarge and produce testosterone. The specific age this takes place will depend on when puberty begins, and puberty may begin any time between ages 10 years to 14 years. There is then a gradual change or deepening of voice throughout puberty. The average age for completion of voice change is between 14 and 16 years, but just as there is a significant variation in the timing of puberty so is there in voice change.

Is it Normal to Have Lumps Under Your Breasts?
Gynecomastia is the term that describes the extra tissue (“lumps”) beneath and around your nipples. It occurs in about 70 percent of all adolescent boys. During early puberty (12-15 years), the small amount of breast tissue that all men have responds to pubertal hormones, enlarges and may become very sensitive to the pressure of clothing. Boys may worry about it, thinking they are developing breasts or have cancer or that something is seriously wrong with their hormones. Fortunately, breast cancer is very, very, very rare in adolescent men and as long as puberty is progressing normally (testicles, penis and pubic hair are growing), this is almost never the case. Also, heavy marijuana use and some prescription medications can also cause gynecomastia.

For most guys, gynecomastia usually lasts less than a year and then gradually goes away by itself. Sometimes the swelling is large enough or lasts long enough to make them feel embarrassed and even avoid activities like physical education and swimming. Surgery to remove the extra tissue can be done as an outpatient and may be indicated in severe cases. There are no medications that will help reduce the swelling.

Masturbation and Penis Size
Many male teenagers want to know if it’s possible to increase the size of their penis. The penis is not a muscle, so “exercising it” does not cause it to grow. Despite the myths, masturbation has no permanent effect on the size of the penis. Once puberty is complete, your penis has reached its adult size, and nothing will make it grow further. The final size of your penis is determined by heredity. If you want to read more about this topic, take a look at this article.

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.

No One Understands Me
As you go through puberty, your body is producing a large amount of hormones. This increase in hormones can cause changes in your emotions – it can make you feel like no one understands what you’re experiencing. You may notice feelings of sadness or frustration for no reason. 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?
For boys and girls 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 for males the testicles reach adult size.

For more information about your body and the changes you’ll go through during puberty, take a look at these articles:
Common Skin Problems
Defining Clinical Depression
Family vs. Friends
Growth Calculator: How Tall Will You Be?
More Common Skin Problems
Talking to Your Parents
The Normal Penis
Top 10 Acne Myths