What Does Puberty Mean For Boys?
What Does Puberty Mean For Boys?
Puberty is the word used to describe all the changes that begin happening to your body from the age of about 12. Puberty can start earlier or later than this, and it usually starts a bit later in boys than in girls.
What’s normal?
It’s different for everyone, and there is no ‘right time’ when this should happen to you. Don’t worry if your body is changing faster or slower than your mates. But if you’re feeling concerned and would like to talk to someone, visit a Healthy Respect drop-in or call one of the helplines.
Changes to our bodies?
The changes that go on turn us from boys into young men. You'll see the physical changes as you quickly grow taller, and your voice may ‘break’ and get deeper. The body starts to sweat more, so you need to wash more often.
The changes that go on turn us from boys into young men.
You may get spots as your skin gets more oily, and you'll start to grow facial hair, as well as thicker body hair under your arms and around your penis.
Your testicles (balls) start to make millions of sperm every day. The sperm are contained within a white creamy fluid called semen. As your penis begins to get thicker and longer, you’ll start to have erections. This is when the penis stiffens and sticks out from the body. Erections can happen anytime and often in the morning for some people.
Most boys at some point will worry about the size or shape of their penis, but the truth is, there is no ‘normal’ or ‘average’ penis – everyone’s is completely unique! And when they’re erect, any difference in size really is much less noticeable – you don’t need to worry about shape and size.
Sexual feelings and masturbation?
Sexual feelings can get stronger during puberty. It’s totally normal to feel aroused (sexually excited) more often, and to ejaculate (a small amount of semen is squirted out of the erect penis), or have a ‘wet dream’ (ejaculate, or ‘come’ during your sleep) which can leave a wet spot on your pyjamas or sheet.
You might feel like masturbating (touching or stroking your penis). There are quite a few myths about masturbation being harmful, but none of them are true. In fact, masturbation may even be good for your health, as it can be a good way to get rid of stress! And it can also be a way to find out about sexual feelings, your body, and what feels good.
Emotional changes
It’s not just physical changes that take place during puberty - you might also get more moody. Do you ever get the feeling that you don't want to talk to anyone, or that people at home or school are really annoying you without having to do anything? You might feel really angry, or sad, or may just want to hide away?
Both the changes to your body and emotional changes are caused by hormones (chemical messengers) in the blood. So, if you are finding it hard to get on with people at the moment, it could be the hormones. But just remember, it can be hard for other people to know how to treat you when you are going through puberty, so try to help them understand what you are going through if you can.
Want more info?
If you want to find out more about aspects of puberty, have a look online, talk to an adult you trust or visit a Healthy Respect drop-in to talk to someone. The drop-ins are listed in our address book.
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