Video Transcription

Girls’ Talk Puberty

Puberty is a time when lots of changes happen. It’s when a child starts to become an adult. These changes happen because of hormones — tiny chemicals made by the body.

During puberty, hormones travel around the body telling different parts to switch on, switch off, or change what they do.

Puberty can start at any time from 9 years old. Of course, every person is different, and so the changes will happen at different times for each person.

When girls go through puberty, their body will change. They’ll grow taller, they might start to get pimples, their face and body will start to sweat more, their breasts will start to grow, their hips will get wider, and they’ll notice hair starting to grow in new places like their underarms. Hair on their arms or legs will become darker and thicker.

It’s easy to see the changes that happen to the outside of the body, but inside, the body is changing and getting ready to become an adult too.

One of the biggest changes for girls is they start to have periods.

Having a period is totally normal and a very healthy part of being a girl.

During puberty, feelings can also change a lot, so it’s good to talk to someone who you trust.

When I started going through puberty, I would feel happy one minute and then sad or angry the next. It’s normal to feel like that, and I learned how to better understand my feelings.

Going through puberty might feel a bit weird and uncomfortable sometimes, but everyone goes through it, and all the changes that happen are a natural part of growing up.

For more information on body changes and periods, visit the Know Your Health website at fpnsw.org.au/no-your-health and click on the periods tab, or call the Family Planning New South Wales Talkline on 1300 658 886 for free and confidential advice. If you want to speak to someone in your language, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 1450 and ask to be connected to Family Planning New South Wales Talkline.