What causes puberty?
Certain hormones become more active during puberty. They travel around the bloodstream and signal different body parts to switch on and off, or change what they do. These tiny chemicals are responsible for all the puberty changes that you can explore in this section.
Try saying these puberty hormones out loud:
- Oestrogen (ee-stra-jen)
- Testosterone (tes-tos-ter-rone)
Why do we go through puberty?
During puberty your body becomes able to reproduce, or have children. Your reproductive parts mature and your body grows bigger and stronger. Your brain also matures and you make new social connections. There’s a lot going on during puberty!
When does puberty happen?
Puberty happens at different times for each person. Usually puberty changes start to happen any time after age 9. Don’t worry if you haven’t noticed any changes yet. Your body will change when it’s right for you. For some people changes start earlier and some later. If you have any questions or concerns, you can talk to your parents, see your doctor or visit a Family Planning NSW clinic. You can also contact our Talkline at 1300 658 886 to chat to one of our clinicians.
