By Dr. Dan
Puberty is the time of your life when your body changes from looking like a child to looking like an adult. The hormones that make all the changes happen can take you on quite a ride: Your body, your hair, your emotions, your voice, your penis…everything is affected, it seems.
Boys usually start puberty when they’re around 10 or 12 years old, though some start a little sooner and others a little later. The changes happen because your body releases several different hormones. The first sign is that your testicles get bigger. Within about a year after that, your penis gets larger, and pubic hair (the hair adults have near their genitals) starts to grow.
A few months after your pubic hair starts to come in, your body begins growing faster. How long this “growth spurt” lasts and how tall you will be at the end of it depend on a lot of things — but mostly it has to do with how tall your family is. While you’re growing, some parts (especially your hands and legs) may grow faster than others, which might make you feel awkward or clumsy. Many boys have uncomfortable growing pains in their arms and legs as the bones grow faster than the muscles can stretch to keep up with them.
Some boys develop swelling underneath their nipples, which look like the start of breasts — don’t panic, it’s temporary. It’s simply caused by the hormones that are pulsing through your body, and will go away with time. If you’re concerned about it though, you can ask your health care provider if your symptoms are normal.
At some time during puberty you may start having wet dreams — while you’re sleeping, your penis gets hard, and you ejaculate (spurt semen). This is completely normal. While it might be embarrassing, most boys occasionally have a wet dream. You’ll have them less and less as you get older, and as you have more ejaculations while you’re awake.
At some point, your voice will get deeper. It may crack occasionally along the way, but that problem will pass, too. Most boys grow some facial hair, and the hair on your body will probably get thicker. Many boys have uncomfortable growing pains in their arms and legs as the bones grow faster than the muscles can stretch to keep up with them. Many teenagers develop pimples during puberty. If you have problems controlling your pimples, call your health care clinic for help — there are many medicines available that can reduce or eliminate acne.
Puberty is a strange time. Some people grow sooner and have to deal with being taller and having zits before the rest of their friends. Others grow later and have to wait and watch their classmates change. Either way, it’s important to remember that everyone goes through it, and it does settle down eventually. If things get confusing, find someone to talk to — an older brother, your dad, or another man you trust. Chances are, they’ve felt the same way and might have some great advice.