Puberty Signs and Stages for Girls
Am I normal?
Yes. Almost certainly.
Puberty is a natural stage of life where your body begins changing from a child’s body into an adult body. It starts when your brain signals your ovaries to release hormones, especially oestrogen.
These hormones don’t just prepare your body for periods — they also affect your emotions, your thoughts and how you see yourself. You might notice your body shape changing, your feelings becoming stronger, and your awareness of other people increasing.
For many girls, this can feel confusing. One day you still feel like a child, and the next day you feel older, more sensitive or more self-aware.
Nothing is going wrong.
Your body is developing exactly as it is meant to.
When Does Puberty Start?
Puberty usually begins between the ages of 8 and 14.
Some girls develop earlier than their friends, and some later. Both are completely normal. Bodies do not follow the same timetable, and starting sooner or later does not mean anything is wrong with you.
Eventually everyone goes through puberty… your body will begin when it is ready, not when your friends do.
What Causes the Changes?
During puberty your body begins producing more oestrogen.
This hormone causes both physical and emotional changes. You may feel more sensitive, more aware of your appearance, or notice your moods changing more quickly than before.
These changes can feel strange at first, but they are a sign that your body is growing and maturing — not that you are losing control of yourself.
