Changes to your
shape
While you're getting taller, your
body is also changing shape. Your bones are growing and your
muscles are strengthening to form a better frame for your adult
body.
One of the most
noticeable body shaping things for girls is the rounding of hips,
buttocks and legs. Much of this rounding is a result of your body
adding some necessary fat. This fat is important for normal
development and will give you a more womanly, curvy shape than you
had as a young girl. Your hips will also become wider because your
pelvis (the bones in your hips) is broadening.
While your new body may seem to take
a new shape somewhat gradually, people who don't see you very
often may comment on "how much you've grown!" You may be tempted
to roll your eyes, but remember they're seeing you in a new light
as a young woman.
Look at a picture of yourself in
third or fourth grade. How much have you changed? Ask your mother
or aunt or sister to show you a picture of herself when she was
the age you are now. Does she look older or younger than you?
Things to remember while you're
growing:
-
Your
puberty timetable may be very different from that of your friends.
Even if you start changing right smack in the middle of the normal
age range for puberty, others may have already started or still
others will start changing after you.
-
It's normal
to feel a little awkward and insecure about your body at this
time. After all, you got pretty used to being in the body you had
and it's changing fast. Don't worry, you'll get used to the new
one too!
-
Your body's
physical growth doesn't happen alone. You are also going through
some very important emotional and mental changes as well. Don't be
surprised if you have some new feelings you haven't had before.
Changes to your breasts
No
two things that come pairs in on your body are exactly the
same size. Not your legs, ears, or even your breasts.
The first thing you may notice as
your breasts start to grow is something called "breast budding."
There may be a lump under your nipple that is harder and perhaps
tender. This is normal and as your breasts become larger, this
area gets less tender. Your nipple and the dark part around it
will also grow in size.
Your breasts will continue to grow
throughout puberty. Don't be worried if one breast is larger than
the other. This too is completely normal and quite common. For
most people, it's only noticeable to them. Your genes, your body
type, and your weight determine the final size of your breasts.
Just like people, breasts come in all shapes and sizes. If you are
worried or have questions about your breasts, ask a doctor or
nurse if you are developing normally.
Breast size gets a lot of attention
on TV and in popular magazines. Because of this, many teens feel
that theirs are too small or too large and would rather have
breasts that are different from the ones they have. If you look
around you, you'll notice that the women you know (not the movie
stars!) have all kinds of breasts. Breast size and your feelings
about your breasts are very personal issues. Feel good about the
body you have and be proud of the way you look at any size.
Body Hair
During puberty, you'll
begin to develop pubic hair in your
genital region
and in your armpits. This hair in your pubic region will probably
start out finer and thinner, but will get darker and thicker (in
sort of a triangle shape and may grow on your upper legs) as you
continue to develop. The amount and color of pubic hair differs
from woman to woman.
The hair on your legs may also get
darker and some girls find that other body hair gets darker as
well. It's not necessary, but some girls choose to remove or make
this hair less noticeable.
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