Puberty can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time! The body undergoes changes due to development, menstrual cycles begin and the mood is unstable. Sometimes a girl isn't even sure if she's really crossing the threshold of puberty, especially since it typically starts long before a woman actually gets to notice it. You can understand this by observing the signals sent by his body and noting the changes in behavior and mood.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Finding the Physical Signals
Step 1. Check the overall development
Do you notice that suddenly you need new clothes, a larger number of shoes or other accessories? As you enter puberty, you begin to gain weight and height. Thanks to these details, you will be able to identify more precise clues relating to the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Step 2. Learn to recognize your body odor
As you go through puberty, the physical and mental changes are governed by the hormonal stimulus and the sweat glands begin to become more active. The sweat begins to mix with the bacteria, producing a different smell. Fortunately, there are many things that allow you to neutralize it when it is unpleasant, including:
- Take a shower or bath every day. Exfoliate your body from top to bottom with warm water and a gentle shower gel.
- Apply a deodorant or antiperspirant to the armpits every day. The first covers unpleasant odors, while the other prevents you from sweating excessively.
- Wear pure cotton underwear to ensure skin perspiration and keep you cool.
Step 3. Examine your breasts for breast buds
Look at the area around the nipples. Press gently with your fingers for small, firm, tender bumps. If you feel a dime-sized lump on each side, your breasts are probably starting to grow.
- Most girls start developing breast buds around the age of 9-10.
- Don't be afraid to feel your breasts. It is perfectly normal to explore your body during the developmental period.
- One bud may develop faster than the other as the breasts get larger.
Step 4. Check for pubic hair
Look or feel the area of the pubic area around the vagina with your fingers, looking for light hair. It may be soft and smooth, or thick and curly. Pubic hair indicates that puberty has started or is about to begin.
It is perfectly normal to examine the vagina or labia to see if hair is growing in these areas
Step 5. Look in the mirror to check your shapes
In addition to identifying breast buds and observing pubic hair growth, you may notice that the body is acquiring new features. For example, notice if your clothes fit you differently. You can also tell if you are entering puberty by looking at your physical changes in the mirror. Other parts of the body that may grow larger or acquire a rounder shape are:
- Hip bone.
- Thighs.
- Arm.
- Legs.
- Hands.
- Feet.
Step 6. Expect hair to grow in the leg and armpit area within a year or two
Gently touch yourself under your arms and look in the mirror to see if they are popped. Also pay attention to the legs. In these areas they can be darker, thicker and more visible. Check them out after a year or two of pubic hair growth.
The hair on the legs and armpits grows much like that of the pubis: it may be sparse and soft and then thicken and become darker
Step 7. Check for vaginal discharge
Look for traces of vaginal discharge in the underwear a year or two after locating breast buds. You may also feel them flowing and coming into your panties or between your legs. Their consistency can be light and watery or thick, similar to mucus, while the color is white or whitish. They are absolutely normal and let you know if you are entering puberty.
Tell your doctor or someone you trust if your vaginal discharge is not white or whitish and if you notice any strange smells. They could indicate an infection
Step 8. Observe your first menstrual cycle
Expect menarche within six months of noticing vaginal discharge. Check for any blood in your underwear or leaks it can indicate that you are entering puberty and that your first period is on its way. For many girls it is often the most exciting and scary time.
- It is common for menstruation to be irregular after the first cycle.
- You will likely feel some swelling during your period. During this time you will have the impression that your belly is bigger or swollen than normal.
- You may also suffer from cramps, back pain, or headaches before and during your period.
Step 9. Notice the changes in the skin
Check to see if she is more oily, irritated, or prone to pimples. Be aware that the skin changes like the body. Boils and a greasy look on your face, neck, chest, and / or back can also indicate that you are in the developmental period.
- Wash your face with a mild soap or cleanser to remove excess fat and keep acne at bay.
- See your doctor or ask for a prescription if you have severe acne. It is a completely normal phenomenon during puberty, but since you are going through a period characterized by strong emotional changes, pimples can make problems or certain personal insecurities worse.
Part 2 of 2: Feeling Different and New Emotions
Step 1. Keep a journal in which to write your emotions
Write them down every day or when you need to comfort yourself a little. During puberty, hormonal stimuli rule the body and can affect your emotions. Review your diary once a week to see if you notice any mood swings. The emotional changes will help you understand if you are entering the age of development. For example, you may notice:
- Feeling uncomfortable in the face of physical changes.
- Be sensitive to the words or behaviors of others.
- Experiencing intense emotions, such as strong jealousy of someone you didn't care about before.
- Have less confidence in yourself.
- Feeling anxious or even depressed.
- Being more irritable or angry for no particular reason.
Step 2. Pay attention to your thinking
See if you view or approach the study or other circumstances differently. The emergence of new mental patterns could indicate the onset of puberty. Try to understand if the following changes occur in your way of thinking:
- Understanding that a subject or responsibility can be more complex, for example when you don't finish studying or doing housework.
- Make choices on your own, for example when speaking about what is right and wrong.
- Know what you like and what you hate.
Step 3. Explore your body
It is normal to want to look and touch your body as you grow up and transition into puberty. You can also develop a heightened curiosity about sexuality. Explore your body and don't hesitate to masturbate if you wish; it is absolutely understandable and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Plus, it's a great way to realize that you are no longer a child.
- It is completely normal to masturbate and touch yourself. You will not grow hair on your hands, you will not go blind or suffer from emotional problems. It is not even true that you will not be able to have children.
- Talk to someone you trust about the curiosity that drives you to get to know your body and masturbate. Don't be ashamed of it. Probably she too has felt or is experiencing the same sensations!
Step 4. Accept the attraction you feel towards other people
Romance and eroticism are other components of adult life. When you spot the typical signs of puberty, notice if you start to have feelings for someone, be it a boy or a girl. Even in this way you will be able to understand that you are growing up and becoming a woman.
Talk to friends, family, or your doctor if you have questions about attraction, romantic relationships, kissing, and sex
Advice
- Remember that every girl goes through puberty. This is a normal stage and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. It happens between the ages of 9 and 16, so don't be alarmed, whether it comes early or late.
- Talk to a trusted adult or doctor if you have any concerns or concerns about puberty.
- See a doctor or nurse if you notice anything that makes you insecure or uncomfortable. For example, if you have foul-smelling or annoying discharge, it could indicate a mild vaginal infection.
