PUBERTY
Is a period of time when physical and non-physical changes occur in the human body(1).
Every human body is different and not everyone experiences puberty at the same time or exactly in the same way(1).
During puberty, hormones in the body increase. Hormones are natural chemicals that travel throughout the body in the blood(1).
Puberty is triggered by the production of sex hormones which helps us to grow and develop:
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY
It is essential to get to know your external and internal anatomy to gain a deeper understanding of your reproductive health and to discuss topics such as sex and contraception with a potential sexual partner
External Anatomy:
- Those who are assigned female at birth will usually have a visible mons pubis, labia, clitoris, vaginal opening, urethral opening, and anus(7)
- The term "vulva" refers to the area with your labia, clitoris, and vaginal and urethral openings.(7) All vulvas are unique and you should not be ashamed or uncomfortable with the way that your vulva may look. Each has a unique colour, size, and shape.
- The mons pubis is the region of skin at the front of your body, between your legs, that will grow pubic hair while you are undergoing puberty
- The labia are the flaps of skin that surround the vaginal opening. These include both inner and outer folds
- In the region where your labia meet at the front of your body is your clitoris – a sensitive part of your vulva that continues internally. Your clitoris can be big or small, there is no “normal” size. It has many nerve endings.
- Your urethral opening is where your pee comes out of when you go to the bathroom
- Your vaginal opening is the external portion of your vagina. This is where blood comes out of while you are on your period and from where the baby comes out when you deliver
- The anus is where your poop comes out of when you go to the bathroom(7)
- It is important to distinguish the terms "vagina" and "vulva". Your vulva is the external part that may incorrectly be called the vagina.(7) When discussing your anatomy, using the correct terms can help you gain confidence about your body and allow you to become more comfortable talking to others about your body
Internal Anatomy:
Those who are assigned female at birth will usually have a vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries(7)
- The vagina is the portion of the reproductive system that connects the internal and external components. It can expand and contract when objects like tampons, menstrual cups, etc. are inserted inside of it, and will expand during childbirth to allow the baby to exit the body.
- The cervix is a small opening at the end of the vagina.
- Each month, your uterus will shed its lining if you do not have a fertilized egg and are not pregnant. This lining of your uterus has some blood vessels; it is not helpful for the body to have it, so, it is shed, and this is your period. If you are experiencing a normal pregnancy, the baby will grow inside of your uterus.
- The fallopian tubes connect your uterus to your ovaries. Each month, an egg will travel through these tubes to potentially meet a sperm and begin the process of pregnancy.
- Your ovaries contain all of the eggs that you have and produce the sex hormones that regulate your period and cycle of reproduction(7)
The only internal portions of the reproductive system that you can touch or feel with your fingers are your vagina and your cervix.
If you experience any abnormal pelvic or abdominal pain, that is, pain or heaviness in the lower part of your stomach area, then you should call your doctor, as there may be a problem within your reproductive system
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY
Learning about the male reproductive system can help you feel more comfortable discussing topics such as sex and contraception with a potential sexual partner.
External Anatomy:
- Those who are assigned as male at birth usually have a visible penis, scrotum, urethral opening, and anus.(8) Penises can have various shapes, sizes, lengths, colours, etc.
- The penis consists of the head and the shaft. The head is where pee and semen are both released through the urethral opening. It is sensitive. The skin on the head of the penis is called the foreskin. People with penises may have their foreskin intact (called "uncircumcised"), or they may have it removed (called "circumcised"). The shaft is the extended portion of the penis.
- The testicles are held within the skin called the scrotum. The scrotum can be a different colour or appearance for each person. It is also sensitive.
- The anus is where your poop comes out of when you go to the bathroom(8)
Internal Anatomy:
Those who are assigned as male at birth will usually have testicles, epididymides, vas deferens (ductus deferens), seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands, a urethra, and a prostate gland(8)
- Testicles are in charge of producing sperm and sex hormones
- An organ outside the testicles is called the epididymis (plural = epididymides). This transports sperm from the testicles to the vas deferens. From here, it is then transferred to the seminal vesicles, where semen is produced.
- Bulbourtheral glands connect to the urethra. Before the penis releases semen, these glands will pass a fluid through the urethra to prepare it for the semen. The urethra can release both pee and semen.
- The prostate gland releases seminal fluid, which helps to move the sperm along the reproductive tract. Prostate glands are around the urethra. (8)
PUBERTY IN GIRLS
Girls often start puberty between eight and fourteen years old(1). During puberty, the hormones estrogen and progesterone are released from the ovaries(1). These hormones cause a series of changes in a girl’s body, such as:
- Growth spurts
- Weight gain
- Widening of the hips
- Hair growth on different parts of the body
- Breast development
- Menstruation(1)
BREAST DEVELOPMENT
The function of breasts is to produce milk to feed a newborn baby.(2)
Breast development is often the first visible change to occur in girls during puberty(3). It often begins around 9-11 years of age.(4)
It is caused by changes in hormones which happens during puberty and results in:
- Breast buds starting to form
- Fatty tissue and mammary glands growing and causing the breast to get larger and rounder
- Nipples rise and stick out
- Areolas become larger and darker(3)
Once a person starts menstruating, they might notice some changes in their breasts(3). This is because of the fluctuations in hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle(3). Milk ducts and glands may enlarge in preparation to produce milk for a possible pregnancy(3). This can cause your breasts to be painful, feel tender or lumpy and look swollen in the days leading up to the start of your period(3). When pregnancy does not occur, the breasts will return to normal and the cycle will repeat(3).
BREASTS - WHAT IS NORMAL?
Everyone’s breasts are different - there is no normal(4)!
Breasts will grow in different shapes and sizes and will continue to change throughout one’s life (during puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and in menopause)(5). It is common and normal that sometimes one breast will develop more quickly than the other, which can make your breasts look uneven(5).
Nipples and areolas also develop in all different shapes, sizes and colours(5). Some nipples stick out (erect) while others are turned inwards (inverted)(5). Some nipples will become erect when cold or when touched(5).
It is normal for some people to have a few hairs grow around the areola and nipple(5).
Stretch marks are small lines that may develop on your skin(5). It commonly happens when there is rapid breast growth and development, unexpected weight loss or gain and during pregnancy(5). With time, these marks often become less noticeable(5).
PUBERTY IN BOYS
Boys often start puberty between nine to fourteen years old(6). During puberty, the hormone testosterone is released from the testicles(6). This hormone causes a series of changes in a boy’s body, such as:
- Growth spurts
- Hair growth on different parts of the body
- Deepening of the voice
- Sperm production by the testicles(6)
- Boys may first experience an erection during puberty(6).
- An erection is when the penis becomes hard and stands away from the body(2 p. 539).
- Ejaculation occurs due to sexual excitation, when the sperm cells move through the reproductive tract and are released as semen(2 p. 539)
- Semen is a fluid that contains sperm that exits from the penis during ejaculation(2 p. 541).
PUBERTY RESOURCES
- 1. Nuchi A. Bunk 9’s Guide to growing up: secrets, tips, and expert advice on the good the bad & the awkward. [place unknown]: Workman Publishing Co; 2017.
- 2. Marieb, E, Keller, S. Essentials of human anatomy and physiology. 12 ed. [place unknown]: Pearson Education Inc; 2018.
- 3. John Hopkin’s Medicine. Normal breast development and changes [Internet]. [Place unknown]: John Hopkin’s University; c2022: [Place unknown]: John Hopkin’s University; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
- 4. Breast Cancer Now. How breasts develop during puberty [Internet]. London: c2021 [reviewed 2019 Feb; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
- 5. Breast Cancer Now. Are by breasts and nipples normal? [Internet]. London: c2021 [reviewed 2019 Feb; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
- 6. Hirsch, L. Male reproductive system [Internet]. [place unknown]: Nemours Foundation; c1955-2022 [reviewed 2019 Jul; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
- 7. Planned Parenthood. What are the parts of the female sexual anatomy? [Internet]. [place unknown]: Planned Parenthood Federation; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 23]. [LINK]
- 8. Planned Parenthood. What are the parts of the male sexual anatomy? [Internet]. [place unknown]: Planned Parenthood Federation; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 23]. [LINK]