BoysBoys && PubertyPuberty Almost everything boys will ever need to know about body changes and other stu ! SHP-013325 Jul’17 SHP-013325 In this booklet, we’ve got together a heap of information so that you can be informed about the important stuff. And it will help Puberty is a gradual thing keep you safe and happy and well. and everyone PS: If you want to know what girls go through, have goes through it. a look at the Girls & Puberty booklet.
Is it just me, or have I arrived on a new planet?
Puberty is the word used to describe During puberty, you might compare your body all the changes that begin to happen with your friends’ bodies. One friend may have a when a child turns into an adult. This deeper voice. Another might have hair on his chest or under his arms. Everyone develops at di erent growth and development phase is also rates. But by the time everyone grows up, there called adolescence. The changes you won’t be as many di erences between you. go through are preparing your body for reproduction (having children). Your body Some young people might feel the changes happening to them to be a little weird, but the changes and the way you look at the more you know about it, the easier it is to adjust world will likely change as well. to things.
Puberty is a gradual thing and everyone goes Sometimes when you’re in the midst of changes through it. Puberty happens to you even while you at puberty, it might feel as if there is no one to are getting your homework done, swimming at the talk to. Want to know something scary? Parents beach, or going to the movies. often understand more than you think they do! Remember, they went through puberty too! If you Whatever your sex and gender, you will don’t want to talk to your parents, you could try experience the physical and emotional changes of talking to a trusted relative or friend. Saying things adolescence. For most people, puberty will start out loud can be a good way of getting things clear between the ages of nine and 13, but don’t worry in your mind. if you haven’t noticed your body changing yet; it will change when it’s the right time for you – Blake aged 13 Jake aged 13 everyone is di erent. Boys & Puberty
02 DOH6350 www.tangelocreative.com.au 03 In this booklet, we’ve got together a heap of information so that you can be informed about the important stuff. And it will help Puberty is a gradual thing keep you safe and happy and well. and everyone PS: If you want to know what girls go through, have goes through it. a look at the Girls & Puberty booklet.
Is it just me, or have I arrived on a new planet?
Puberty is the word used to describe During puberty, you might compare your body all the changes that begin to happen with your friends’ bodies. One friend may have a when a child turns into an adult. This deeper voice. Another might have hair on his chest or under his arms. Everyone develops at di erent growth and development phase is also rates. But by the time everyone grows up, there called adolescence. The changes you won’t be as many di erences between you. go through are preparing your body for reproduction (having children). Your body Some young people might feel the changes happening to them to be a little weird, but the changes and the way you look at the more you know about it, the easier it is to adjust world will likely change as well. to things.
Puberty is a gradual thing and everyone goes Sometimes when you’re in the midst of changes through it. Puberty happens to you even while you at puberty, it might feel as if there is no one to are getting your homework done, swimming at the talk to. Want to know something scary? Parents beach, or going to the movies. often understand more than you think they do! Remember, they went through puberty too! If you Whatever your sex and gender, you will don’t want to talk to your parents, you could try experience the physical and emotional changes of talking to a trusted relative or friend. Saying things adolescence. For most people, puberty will start out loud can be a good way of getting things clear between the ages of nine and 13, but don’t worry in your mind. if you haven’t noticed your body changing yet; it will change when it’s the right time for you – Blake aged 13 Jake aged 13 everyone is di erent. Boys & Puberty
02 www.tangelocreative.com.au DOH6350 03 So you know all about the changes that happen to you during puberty? And why it’s important to look after yourself? Most of this puberty stuff you have probably already picked up from books, movies, Contents the classroom, the internet, your mates, your parents – but do you know the whole story? Things that change Voice (gets squeaky, then deeper) 7 Are there things you have wondered Body hair (armpits, chest, around penis, shaving) 7 about ... but haven’t dared to ask? A tour of the genitals (testicles, penis) 8 Sexual feelings (erections, crushes) 13
Looking after yourself Eat right and exercise 14 Pimples and acne 15 Sweat 16 Body image 18 Mental wellbeing 19
Conclusion Further information 20 Boys & Puberty
04 05 So you know all about the changes that happen to you during puberty? And why it’s important to look after yourself? Most of this puberty stuff you have probably already picked up from books, movies, Contents the classroom, the internet, your mates, your parents – but do you know the whole story? Things that change Voice (gets squeaky, then deeper) 7 Are there things you have wondered Body hair (armpits, chest, around penis, shaving) 7 about ... but haven’t dared to ask? A tour of the genitals (testicles, penis) 8 Sexual feelings (erections, crushes) 13
Looking after yourself Eat right and exercise 14 Pimples and acne 15 Sweat 16 Body image 18 Mental wellbeing 19
Conclusion Further information 20 Boys & Puberty
04 05 As it is breaking, your voice will sometimes go squeaky when you are talking.
THINGS THAT CHANGE Voice Body hair Your body changes in puberty to become the way it will be when During puberty your Adam’s apple Hair will start to grow in your armpits you are an adult. You might gain some weight, just as you have (larynx) gets bigger and your voice and around the pubic area. done every year since you were a baby. You will also fi nd changes begins to ‘break’. This hair will be fi ne and straight at fi rst, and will happening to your body hair, your genitals and your breasts. All of Your vocal cords grow quickly. As it is breaking, become thicker and sometimes curlier as you get it is perfectly normal. your voice will sometimes go squeaky when you older. You may also fi nd more hair growing on your legs and arms. Hair will also appear on your During puberty, your testicles (testes or ‘balls’) start producing the male hormone are talking, but once it has fi nished breaking, you chin and upper lip. Everyone has di erent amounts testosterone. This hormone triggers the changes in your body. Suddenly you will have the deeper voice of a man. of hair, with some men being quite hairy and will grow taller and begin to develop muscles. You will also notice changes others less so. The full range is normal. to your voice, your body hair, your genitals, and possibly even your breasts.
Breasts When should I shave?
About one-third of boys will experience Your facial hair will be fi ne and downy at fi rst some sort of minor breast development but will become more bristly as you grow older. during puberty. You will probably not need to shave much at fi rst; this will become more regular in your later This is normal and usually nothing to worry about. teenage years. You may notice swelling or lumps under your nipples. Your nipples may also feel tender when When you begin to shave is a matter of choice. clothing rubs against them. Wearing a cover such You might like to talk your decision over with a as a bandaid might help with this. parent or a trusted adult before you begin. You may also like some shaving lessons from The swelling usually lasts around four to six someone who has done it before! Avoid sharing months, but it may continue for longer. See a razors with other people as it can pass on blood- doctor if this is worrying you. borne viruses. Boys & Puberty
06 07 As it is breaking, your voice will sometimes go squeaky when you are talking.
THINGS THAT CHANGE Voice Body hair Your body changes in puberty to become the way it will be when During puberty your Adam’s apple Hair will start to grow in your armpits you are an adult. You might gain some weight, just as you have (larynx) gets bigger and your voice and around the pubic area. done every year since you were a baby. You will also fi nd changes begins to ‘break’. This hair will be fi ne and straight at fi rst, and will happening to your body hair, your genitals and your breasts. All of Your vocal cords grow quickly. As it is breaking, become thicker and sometimes curlier as you get it is perfectly normal. your voice will sometimes go squeaky when you older. You may also fi nd more hair growing on your legs and arms. Hair will also appear on your During puberty, your testicles (testes or ‘balls’) start producing the male hormone are talking, but once it has fi nished breaking, you chin and upper lip. Everyone has di erent amounts testosterone. This hormone triggers the changes in your body. Suddenly you will have the deeper voice of a man. of hair, with some men being quite hairy and will grow taller and begin to develop muscles. You will also notice changes others less so. The full range is normal. to your voice, your body hair, your genitals, and possibly even your breasts.
Breasts When should I shave?
About one-third of boys will experience Your facial hair will be fi ne and downy at fi rst some sort of minor breast development but will become more bristly as you grow older. during puberty. You will probably not need to shave much at fi rst; this will become more regular in your later This is normal and usually nothing to worry about. teenage years. You may notice swelling or lumps under your nipples. Your nipples may also feel tender when When you begin to shave is a matter of choice. clothing rubs against them. Wearing a cover such You might like to talk your decision over with a as a bandaid might help with this. parent or a trusted adult before you begin. You may also like some shaving lessons from The swelling usually lasts around four to six someone who has done it before! Avoid sharing months, but it may continue for longer. See a razors with other people as it can pass on blood- doctor if this is worrying you. borne viruses. Boys & Puberty
06 07 A tour of the genitals (sex organs)
One area of our bodies that we tend to focus much of our attention on is our genitals. The penis is an important part of your body that will change during puberty. Penises vary in size and appearance, but when an adult penis is erect they are mostly a similar size. So there is no need to worry if you think your penis looks a little smaller than or di erent to other people’s.
There is no need to worry if you think your penis looks a little smaller than or different to other people’s. Boys & Puberty
08 09 A tour of the genitals (sex organs)
One area of our bodies that we tend to focus much of our attention on is our genitals. The penis is an important part of your body that will change during puberty. Penises vary in size and appearance, but when an adult penis is erect they are mostly a similar size. So there is no need to worry if you think your penis looks a little smaller than or di erent to other people’s.
There is no need to worry if you think your penis looks a little smaller than or different to other people’s. Boys & Puberty
08 09 The penis
How do I look after my foreskin? Why does my penis go hard? What happens to my urine when I ejaculate? Sometimes the foreskin – a fold of skin which One physical sign of sexual feelings for boys covers the tip of the penis (glans) – is removed is when they get an erection. Semen passes from the testicles surgically at birth. This operation is known through the spermatic cord before When the penis is stimulated, or a boy becomes as circumcision. Doctors rarely recommend being ejaculated through the urethra sexually aroused, it grows from being small, circumcision, but for some boys it is performed – the same tube that urine passes limp and soft to larger, erect and hard. The due to cultural and religious beliefs. In previous through. It is impossible for urine and penis does not contain any bones and is not generations, circumcision was common, but semen to become mixed because the made of muscle. It becomes erect because the now only about 10% of boys born in Australia fl ow of urine is automatically stopped tissue inside it fi lls with blood under pressure. are circumcised each year. Sometimes boys are when your penis is erect. circumcised for medical reasons, but this is not Penises vary in size and appearance. There is a common. Regardless, the penis works the same large natural variation, but when they are erect, What is a wet dream? way with or without a foreskin. they are mostly a similar size. During puberty, you can become For those with a foreskin, it is very important to A thick whitish fl uid is produced by the seminal sexually excited or aroused quite keep the area beneath the foreskin clean. The vesicle and the prostate gland. This mixes with easily. Ejaculations can happen foreskin should be pushed back daily and the the sperm to form semen. At the peak of sexual while you are asleep. These are glans gently washed. excitement – when a male ’reaches climax’, called nocturnal emissions, or ‘wet ‘comes’ or has an orgasm – semen is pumped dreams’. Wet dreams are completely out of the end of the erect penis. This is called normal. They are your body’s way of ejaculation. The milky fl uid or ejaculate (‘come’, getting rid of a build-up of semen in ‘cum’) contains 200 to 500 million sperm. your body. During sexual excitement, but before orgasm When you wake up after a wet dream, or ejaculation, a small amount of clear fl uid The penis works your sheets or pyjamas may feel may be released from the penis. The clear slightly sticky. Sometimes you may the same way fl uid is called ‘pre-cum’ and can also carry remember the good feeling you had live, active sperm. with or without in the night, or you may remember a foreskin. nothing at all. Boys & Puberty
10 11 The penis
How do I look after my foreskin? Why does my penis go hard? What happens to my urine when I ejaculate? Sometimes the foreskin – a fold of skin which One physical sign of sexual feelings for boys covers the tip of the penis (glans) – is removed is when they get an erection. Semen passes from the testicles surgically at birth. This operation is known through the spermatic cord before When the penis is stimulated, or a boy becomes as circumcision. Doctors rarely recommend being ejaculated through the urethra sexually aroused, it grows from being small, circumcision, but for some boys it is performed – the same tube that urine passes limp and soft to larger, erect and hard. The due to cultural and religious beliefs. In previous through. It is impossible for urine and penis does not contain any bones and is not generations, circumcision was common, but semen to become mixed because the made of muscle. It becomes erect because the now only about 10% of boys born in Australia fl ow of urine is automatically stopped tissue inside it fi lls with blood under pressure. are circumcised each year. Sometimes boys are when your penis is erect. circumcised for medical reasons, but this is not Penises vary in size and appearance. There is a common. Regardless, the penis works the same large natural variation, but when they are erect, What is a wet dream? way with or without a foreskin. they are mostly a similar size. During puberty, you can become For those with a foreskin, it is very important to A thick whitish fl uid is produced by the seminal sexually excited or aroused quite keep the area beneath the foreskin clean. The vesicle and the prostate gland. This mixes with easily. Ejaculations can happen foreskin should be pushed back daily and the the sperm to form semen. At the peak of sexual while you are asleep. These are glans gently washed. excitement – when a male ’reaches climax’, called nocturnal emissions, or ‘wet ‘comes’ or has an orgasm – semen is pumped dreams’. Wet dreams are completely out of the end of the erect penis. This is called normal. They are your body’s way of ejaculation. The milky fl uid or ejaculate (‘come’, getting rid of a build-up of semen in ‘cum’) contains 200 to 500 million sperm. your body. During sexual excitement, but before orgasm When you wake up after a wet dream, or ejaculation, a small amount of clear fl uid The penis works your sheets or pyjamas may feel may be released from the penis. The clear slightly sticky. Sometimes you may the same way fl uid is called ‘pre-cum’ and can also carry remember the good feeling you had live, active sperm. with or without in the night, or you may remember a foreskin. nothing at all. Boys & Puberty
10 11 The testes Sexual feelings
During puberty, there is a change in your However, even testicles that have moved down As your body changes during the course What if someone gets a testicles (testes). into the scrotum will sometimes pull back into of adolescence, you may notice changes crush on me? the body, for instance in cold water, or during sex. in how you feel physically and emotionally. With help from the male hormone testosterone, This is quite normal. They will eventually move You may fi nd that someone feels the testicles begin to produce sperm. Sperm back into place on their own. Any concerns you These feelings help to prepare us for adult strongly about you but that you are tadpole-shaped and their ‘tails’ help them have about di erences in the testicles can be life, relationships, marriage, having sex and don’t return these feelings. Try to move. This movement of sperm is important for talked over with a doctor. making babies. treat this person with respect and reproduction (see Why does my penis go hard, kindness. Be honest and clear It is quite normal to suddenly experience strong page 10). Sperm are so tiny that they can only be Why should I check my testicles? about your feelings. seen under a microscope. feelings, or crushes, for certain people, of the same Once you reach puberty, it is a good idea to or opposite sex. These feelings may remain private, The testicles need to be kept cool for the regularly check the size and shape of your or you may choose to confi de in a friend, or express sperm to develop normally. This is why they testicles. A good time to do this is in the shower. your feelings to the person directly. hang outside the body in a sac (bag) called the scrotum. It is quite normal for one testicle (testis) The purpose of this check is to get to know Bear in mind that speaking your feelings aloud can to be larger or to hang lower than the other. the size, shape and texture of your testicles. put you in a vulnerable space. If your feelings are At birth, some boys may have experienced what It is perfectly normal for one of your testicles to not returned by the other person, you may feel is called ‘undescended testicles’ where one or be bigger than the other. But if you notice any exposed and rejected. Or, if they are reciprocated, both testicles fail to move down into the scrotum. changes in your testicles, especially an unusual you may fi nd yourself in an exciting new friendship This is usually corrected after birth. lump, you must see a doctor. One of the most or relationship. common cancers for men between the ages It’s also completely normal to not have these of 15 and 30 is cancer of the testes. feelings at this stage.
It is quite normal for one testicle to be larger or to hang lower than the other. Boys & Puberty
12 13 The testes Sexual feelings
During puberty, there is a change in your However, even testicles that have moved down As your body changes during the course What if someone gets a testicles (testes). into the scrotum will sometimes pull back into of adolescence, you may notice changes crush on me? the body, for instance in cold water, or during sex. in how you feel physically and emotionally. With help from the male hormone testosterone, This is quite normal. They will eventually move You may fi nd that someone feels the testicles begin to produce sperm. Sperm back into place on their own. Any concerns you These feelings help to prepare us for adult strongly about you but that you are tadpole-shaped and their ‘tails’ help them have about di erences in the testicles can be life, relationships, marriage, having sex and don’t return these feelings. Try to move. This movement of sperm is important for talked over with a doctor. making babies. treat this person with respect and reproduction (see Why does my penis go hard, kindness. Be honest and clear It is quite normal to suddenly experience strong page 10). Sperm are so tiny that they can only be Why should I check my testicles? about your feelings. seen under a microscope. feelings, or crushes, for certain people, of the same Once you reach puberty, it is a good idea to or opposite sex. These feelings may remain private, The testicles need to be kept cool for the regularly check the size and shape of your or you may choose to confi de in a friend, or express sperm to develop normally. This is why they testicles. A good time to do this is in the shower. your feelings to the person directly. hang outside the body in a sac (bag) called the scrotum. It is quite normal for one testicle (testis) The purpose of this check is to get to know Bear in mind that speaking your feelings aloud can to be larger or to hang lower than the other. the size, shape and texture of your testicles. put you in a vulnerable space. If your feelings are At birth, some boys may have experienced what It is perfectly normal for one of your testicles to not returned by the other person, you may feel is called ‘undescended testicles’ where one or be bigger than the other. But if you notice any exposed and rejected. Or, if they are reciprocated, both testicles fail to move down into the scrotum. changes in your testicles, especially an unusual you may fi nd yourself in an exciting new friendship This is usually corrected after birth. lump, you must see a doctor. One of the most or relationship. common cancers for men between the ages It’s also completely normal to not have these of 15 and 30 is cancer of the testes. feelings at this stage.
It is quite normal for one testicle to be larger or to hang lower than the other. Boys & Puberty
12 13 LOOKING AFTER Pimples and acne Choose In puberty your body is a hormone YOURSELF something active producing machine. The production of new hormones also a ects your that you enjoy – Eat right and exercise oil-producing (sebaceous) glands and that way you’ll your sweat glands.
With all these monumental changes in your body, keep doing it. Pimples are caused by over-activity of the it is important to look after yourself well. oil-producing glands. These glands lie just under the skin. They produce sebum, the natural oil If you give your body the fuel it needs to grow, and regular that keeps your skin supple. During puberty, your exercise, you will be giving yourself the best chance to feel good. hormones make the oil-producing glands grow bigger and produce extra sebum. This sebum is often thick and fl ows slowly, so it tends to clog the pores, causing pimples. When pimples become very infl amed, a more severe condition called What’s good? acne can develop. Some teenagers are troubled by pimples and/or acne for several years and • A well-balanced diet. Include lots of fresh may need treatment. fruit and vegies and plenty of water.
• Exercise! If you don’t enjoy sport, try hitting How can I look after my skin? the dance fl oor (or the lounge room) with Frequent, gentle washing with warm water and friends. Ride to school, take your dog for a a mild soap or face wash can help. Dirt doesn’t walk, or get out on your skateboard. Choose cause acne but washing can get rid of excess something active that you enjoy – that way sebum. You may also fi nd that certain foods such you’ll keep doing it. as sugary and fatty foods make your pimples You may also fi nd What’s not? worse. Cut down on these. Eat lots of fresh fruit that certain foods and vegies and drink plenty of water. Try to avoid such as sugary and • Fatty foods, fried foods and sugary foods touching or squeezing pimples as this can make (e.g. pastries, biscuits, chips, lollies). them worse or cause scars. If your skin is really fatty foods make your bothering you, then you should see your doctor, pimples worse. • Stay away from crash diets. They don’t work. as medical treatments are available to treat severe • Being a couch potato. cases of acne. Boys & Puberty
14 15 LOOKING AFTER Pimples and acne Choose In puberty your body is a hormone YOURSELF something active producing machine. The production of new hormones also a ects your that you enjoy – Eat right and exercise oil-producing (sebaceous) glands and that way you’ll your sweat glands.
With all these monumental changes in your body, keep doing it. Pimples are caused by over-activity of the it is important to look after yourself well. oil-producing glands. These glands lie just under the skin. They produce sebum, the natural oil If you give your body the fuel it needs to grow, and regular that keeps your skin supple. During puberty, your exercise, you will be giving yourself the best chance to feel good. hormones make the oil-producing glands grow bigger and produce extra sebum. This sebum is often thick and fl ows slowly, so it tends to clog the pores, causing pimples. When pimples become very infl amed, a more severe condition called What’s good? acne can develop. Some teenagers are troubled by pimples and/or acne for several years and • A well-balanced diet. Include lots of fresh may need treatment. fruit and vegies and plenty of water.
• Exercise! If you don’t enjoy sport, try hitting How can I look after my skin? the dance fl oor (or the lounge room) with Frequent, gentle washing with warm water and friends. Ride to school, take your dog for a a mild soap or face wash can help. Dirt doesn’t walk, or get out on your skateboard. Choose cause acne but washing can get rid of excess something active that you enjoy – that way sebum. You may also fi nd that certain foods such you’ll keep doing it. as sugary and fatty foods make your pimples You may also fi nd What’s not? worse. Cut down on these. Eat lots of fresh fruit that certain foods and vegies and drink plenty of water. Try to avoid such as sugary and • Fatty foods, fried foods and sugary foods touching or squeezing pimples as this can make (e.g. pastries, biscuits, chips, lollies). them worse or cause scars. If your skin is really fatty foods make your bothering you, then you should see your doctor, pimples worse. • Stay away from crash diets. They don’t work. as medical treatments are available to treat severe • Being a couch potato. cases of acne. Boys & Puberty
14 15 Sweat does not have much of a smell but Sweat bacteria which live on
Once you reach puberty, you may also fi nd the skin can create that you sweat more. Remember that sweating a smell called body is a normal human function. The healthiest of odour or BO. sportspeople lose buckets of sweat out on the sports fi eld!
By itself, sweat does not have much of a smell but bacteria which live on the skin can create a smell called body odour or BO.
To avoid body odour, wash your body daily, especially the underarm area, using mild soap and warm water. Change and wash your clothes often. It helps to wear loose- fi tting clothing, made from natural fi bres. An underarm deodorant will be useful, too. Body odour is one of the many things that people get needlessly anxious about. If you bathe and wash your clothes regularly, it is very unlikely you will have a problem. Boys & Puberty
16 17 Sweat does not have much of a smell but Sweat bacteria which live on
Once you reach puberty, you may also fi nd the skin can create that you sweat more. Remember that sweating a smell called body is a normal human function. The healthiest of odour or BO. sportspeople lose buckets of sweat out on the sports fi eld!
By itself, sweat does not have much of a smell but bacteria which live on the skin can create a smell called body odour or BO.
To avoid body odour, wash your body daily, especially the underarm area, using mild soap and warm water. Change and wash your clothes often. It helps to wear loose- fi tting clothing, made from natural fi bres. An underarm deodorant will be useful, too. Body odour is one of the many things that people get needlessly anxious about. If you bathe and wash your clothes regularly, it is very unlikely you will have a problem. Boys & Puberty
16 17 Body image People of all ages Mental wellbeing and sexes come in As you get older you may become more As well as changes happening to your body on aware of your body and the way you look. a variety of shapes the outside, there are changes happening on the A usual and common feature of puberty and sizes. inside, too. is to worry about the way you look and Hormones can make us feel euphoric and excited or a bit moody compare yourself with those around you. and emotional; everyone has their ups and downs (even adults – The world around us communicates all kinds of but you already know that!). It is as important to take care of your things about what the ‘perfect body’ is supposed mental wellbeing as it is your physical health. to look like. Of course, there is no perfect body! The good news is that, like physical changes, the But we are bombarded by images on TV, movies, potentially worrying aspects of mental health such advertisements and social media. as anxiety or depression can be dealt with and Look around at your family, friends and people you managed too. There are plenty of things you can see on the street. You will see that in reality, people do to help yourself, like eating well, getting enough of all ages and sexes come in a variety of shapes sleep, exercising, taking time to relax if you are and sizes. Those images you see on social media stressed, and being socially active and involved in and on TV have typically been selected, altered your community. Sometimes you might not be able and sometimes touched up to create unrealistic, to solve a worry on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask fl awless looking people. a trusted adult if you need help. The sooner you get some help, the sooner things can improve. It can be a bit confusing to work out who you are and what you want to look like. Have fun fi nding your own personal style, appreciate qualities in yourself (and others) other than appearance, and celebrate For more information go to: the fact that we are all di erent and unique! • Headspace www.headspace.org.au
• Youth Beyond Blue For more information go to: www.youthbeyondblue.com
• Kids Helpline • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 1800 55 1800 • The Butterfl y Foundation www.thebutterfl yfoundation.org.au Boys & Puberty
18 19 Body image People of all ages Mental wellbeing and sexes come in As you get older you may become more As well as changes happening to your body on aware of your body and the way you look. a variety of shapes the outside, there are changes happening on the A usual and common feature of puberty and sizes. inside, too. is to worry about the way you look and Hormones can make us feel euphoric and excited or a bit moody compare yourself with those around you. and emotional; everyone has their ups and downs (even adults – The world around us communicates all kinds of but you already know that!). It is as important to take care of your things about what the ‘perfect body’ is supposed mental wellbeing as it is your physical health. to look like. Of course, there is no perfect body! The good news is that, like physical changes, the But we are bombarded by images on TV, movies, potentially worrying aspects of mental health such advertisements and social media. as anxiety or depression can be dealt with and Look around at your family, friends and people you managed too. There are plenty of things you can see on the street. You will see that in reality, people do to help yourself, like eating well, getting enough of all ages and sexes come in a variety of shapes sleep, exercising, taking time to relax if you are and sizes. Those images you see on social media stressed, and being socially active and involved in and on TV have typically been selected, altered your community. Sometimes you might not be able and sometimes touched up to create unrealistic, to solve a worry on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask fl awless looking people. a trusted adult if you need help. The sooner you get some help, the sooner things can improve. It can be a bit confusing to work out who you are and what you want to look like. Have fun fi nding your own personal style, appreciate qualities in yourself (and others) other than appearance, and celebrate For more information go to: the fact that we are all di erent and unique! • Headspace www.headspace.org.au
• Youth Beyond Blue For more information go to: www.youthbeyondblue.com
• Kids Helpline • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 1800 55 1800 • The Butterfl y Foundation www.thebutterfl yfoundation.org.au Boys & Puberty
18 19 20
CONCLUSION
Puberty is a time of many changes, both
physical and emotional. Some of these through. go
changes are exciting, others are daunting. girls what read to Don’t forget that there are adults around you interested you’re if
who can help you through the tricky times. Flip the booklet over over booklet the Flip When you emerge at the other end of puberty, you will be well on the way to becoming an adult.
If you want some useful information and advice about relationships, love and sex, look out for the booklet Relationships, sex & other stu , available from teachers
and school nurses.
and school nurses. school and
, available from teachers teachers from available , stu other & sex Relationships,
relationships, love and sex, look out for the booklet booklet the for out look sex, and love relationships,
If you want some useful information and advice about about advice and information useful some want you If be well on the way to becoming an adult. an becoming to way the on well be
Flip the booklet over will you puberty, of end other the at emerge you When who can help you through the tricky times. tricky the through you help can who
if you’re interested you around adults are there that forget Don’t
to read what boys daunting. are others exciting, are changes
go through. these of Some emotional. and physical Puberty is a time of many changes, both both changes, many of time a is Puberty CONCLUSION
20