Most people go through puberty between the ages of 8 and 18. This is a transition period where you move from being a child to becoming an adult. During puberty, you’ll experience a series of amazing physical and emotional changes as you grow up. The biggest change, of course, is developing the ability to have children.

Everyone’s experience with puberty is different. Some might start noticing changes at a younger age, while others might begin later. Some might even feel like their puberty has paused at certain points.

Your biological sex plays an important role during puberty because your body releases hormones based on it. These hormones stimulate the growth of your reproductive organs, leading to the production of either male or female hormones. Typically, biological sex is determined at birth by looking at the baby’s genitals. Babies born with a vulva and vagina are classified as female/girls, while those with a penis and testes are classified as male/boys.

Some people are intersex, which means their physical characteristics don’t fully fit the typical definitions of male or female. Intersex individuals might experience puberty differently and may need extra support from family, friends, and healthcare providers during this time.

It’s important to remember that everyone might have a different understanding of their gender identity, so biological sex and gender identity are not the same thing. To learn more about these concepts, you can check out a gender dictionary.

Hormones

Puberty
“You’re always in a bad mood—must be your hormones!” You’ve probably heard something like this before, but what exactly are hormones, and what role do they play?
Hormones, also known as “chemical messengers,” are naturally produced in your body and released into your bloodstream, sending messages to different parts of your body. Different hormones send different messages and trigger various changes during puberty. There are two main types of sex hormones: androgens (male hormones) and estrogens (female hormones).
Both males and females have sex hormones in their bodies. Male hormones, like testosterone, are produced in the testes and are usually higher in males or those with a penis and testes. Female hormones, like estrogen, are produced in the ovaries and are typically higher in females or those with a vagina and ovaries. Most people also have a small amount of the opposite sex hormone, which helps with the body’s internal functions, such as metabolism.

Major Changes During Puberty

Male

Female

Puberty is the time when you start changing from a kid into an adult. We usually talk about how our bodies change, but it’s also important to remember that our thoughts and feelings change too. If you ever feel worried or confused, it’s totally okay to talk to someone you trust.