Being a teenager can be lots of fun but also a time when you may be confused about some important issues in your life too. You may worry about school, family, friends or social issues. Don’t worry; this is a normal part of being a teen! One of the worries you may have is being confused about changes your body may be going through.

This stage of your life is called puberty and it prepares your body for adulthood.

Changes can start as early as 8 or as late as age 16:

• Your ovaries start working
• Your breast will grow
• You will gain weight and grow taller
• Your hips may get wider
• Hair growth will appear under arms and around genitals
• Your body odor may change
• You may get acne or pimples

Hormones also cause changes that prepare a girl’s body to be able to have a baby.

The ovaries contain eggs, and one is released each month. The egg moves in one of the fallopian tubes. The lining builds up in the uterus and if the egg has not been fertilized the lining is shed as menstrual blood.

Menstrual Period

There is no way to tell when you will start a menstrual period but average age is around 12. Some girls start the periods before this age and others much later. Here are some tips to remember about your periods.

• Periods usually last 3 to 7 days in length
• Periods usually come approximately once per month
• When you first start your period they may be irregular
• Use a calendar to keep track of your periods
• Be prepared by keeping pads or tampons with you
• Cramping is common during periods

Good nutrition is essential during teenage years so you should learn to eat healthy foods. Exercise is also important in taking good care of your body.

If you aren’t active in sports, form a group of friends to participate in some form of exercising that you all enjoy. Getting at least eight hours of sleep at night is very important in keeping your body healthy too.