What is puberty?
Puberty is the name for the time in your life when you start becoming a young woman. For this to happen, your body must go through a lot of physical and sexual changes.
It’s good to know about these changes before they happen so you understand what’s going on. Remember, everyone goes through puberty, even though you may have different experiences than other girls you know.
When does puberty start?
There is no right time for puberty to begin, because everyone’s body is different. Most girls start puberty between ages 8 and 13, but it’s okay if you start at a younger or older age.
Why does puberty happen?
Puberty happens when your brain sends out chemical messengers called hormones that travel to your reproductive organs. These special body parts, such as your ovaries and your uterus, make you a female.
When hormones first reach your ovaries, they tell your body to start releasing the eggs that have been stored there since before you were born. Soon after your first egg is released, your first period will happen. Babies are created when an egg joins with a male’s sperm.
But, none of these changes happen overnight. The hormones in puberty are released slowly at first, and over time cause your body to grow and change from a child, to a teen, and finally, to an adult.
Want to learn about how puberty affects boys? Get the facts at What is Puberty in Boys?