Pimples and Periods: A Puberty Guide

All young people go through a process called puberty, during which their body experiences many changes in order to become an adult and biologically allow for the potential to reproduce. These changes usually occur between the ages of 8-13 and can take 5-7 years to complete.
For young people with a vulva, there are many physical, social and emotional changes that occur during puberty. These include breast growth, growth of pubic and underarm hair, a growth spurt impacting their height, weight and hips, mood swings, the desire for more privacy, along with getting a menstrual period.

Menstrual periods occur once a month and can last from a few days to a week. Some people have cramps during their periods while others do not. It’s important for everyone to understand that the first period signals the beginning of ovulation and their body’s ability to get pregnant if they were to have unprotected vaginal sex. Once a month, a hormone in the brain of people with a vulva, signals the ovaries to release an egg or ovum (a process called ovulation). The hormone estrogen is also released to signal the uterus to build up its lining. If an egg is not fertilized within 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, the egg dies and disintegrates while still in the uterine tube. Two weeks later, when the uterus realizes there is no fertilized egg, the built-up lining of the uterus is released or shed during a menstrual period.

There are many other physical, emotional and social changes of puberty as well. They may also experience acne, and their sweat may now have a strong odor. Other emotional changes during puberty can include mood swings, experiencing sexual feelings, being interested in other people in a new romantic and/or sexual way and often feeling a need for more privacy from parents and/or siblings.

It is important for caring adults to explain the changes of puberty to young people before and while they are going through them. It is also essential to assure them that these changes are normal and they are not alone. Helping young people identify ways to cope with these changes can make this stage of life less stressful. Talking about these changes with the young people in your life lets them know that they are not alone and can come to their parents or guardians if they have questions or need support.

Conversation Starters

It’s essential that you have conversations about topics like puberty if your child is to know that they can come to you with questions. The easiest way to start these conversations is to talk about issues as they come up in everyday life, like while watching TV or YouTube together.
Some topics, like masturbation, may not come up in regular conversation, but it’s important to bring them up anyway. During puberty, most young people begin to have new sexual feelings. Some begin to masturbate and some do not. It is normal if they do and also normal if they don’t and important that they know it can’t hurt their bodies physically.

Below are some ways to start these conversations: