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Your Guide to Breast Development During Puberty

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Changes during puberty happen to every girl! Here’s everything a girl can expect, from milestone to milestone.

A076 Changes During Puberty in Girls

Changes During Puberty in Girls

The more you know about what’s going on with your body, the more confident you’ll feel as your body (and mind!) mature.


## What are the stages of puberty?


Well, we’ve outlined the stages of puberty in girls for you here, so you know what stage of puberty you’re in and what to expect next. That way you can progress through puberty with poise and confidence.

Puberty starts for most girls around the age of 10. However, some girls start puberty earlier or later than this, and that’s perfectly okay.

Most girls tend to start puberty around the same age as their mum did. So ask your mum when she went through these changes to get a good idea of when you can expect to go through them, too.

Puberty typically ends by the age of 16 for most girls.

The stages of puberty in girls:

The more you know...

5 Vaginal discharge

Julia is a __general paediatrician__ with expertise in __paediatric cardiology__. Since 2009 she has also supported the training of junior doctors to enhance the continuing professional development of GPs and other health professionals working with children. 

She has recently returned to __NHS work__ and is focussing her efforts on her role as a __trustee and senior volunteer instructor for the charity NICHE international__, focusing on teaching newborn cases in West Africa and training local instructors.


Julia Thomson

So far this year we’ve helped over 15,000 girls stay in sports, in partnership with Sported. We’ve provided financial grants and sports equipment to organisations across the country so they can help #KeepHerPlaying.

Learn more about Sported [here](https://sported.org.uk/).

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Helping girls across the country with Sported

A072 When Does Puberty End for Girls

Puberty is a time full of exciting changes.

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A075 What Happens During Puberty?

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- Heredity: Ask your mum or other female relative how old she was when she had her first period. You'll probably have yours at around the same age.
- Race: Girls of different races show signs of [puberty](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-body/changes-during-puberty/) at different times.
- Weight: Very thin girls begin to menstruate a bit later; heavier girls may begin earlier.
Girls who develop earlier than most of their friends often feel "weird" or self-conscious. That's normal. But girls who develop later than most also feel strange, sort of left out of the club. Remember, eventually all girls become young women. You might ask “when does [puberty](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-body/changes-during-puberty/) start?” but it will start when it is – and you are – ready to.

- Heredity: Ask your mum or...

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Puberty can start in girls as early as 8 or as late as 14. When you start puberty has a lot to do with your genetics. There’s nothing good or bad about starting puberty earlier or later.

Everybody is a little different and will go through puberty at a different rate. Don’t worry if you are developing faster or slower than your friends. It’s part of what makes us all unique as human beings.

Puberty can start in girls...

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1 Why does puberty start?

Changes during Puberty: Nine stages that every girl should know about

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Do you want to know more?

Changes [during puberty](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-confidence/how-to-improve-self-confidence/) can come as a surprise to every young girl, but remember that everyone goes through puberty at different rates and in different orders, so don’t worry if you haven’t experienced all the signs of girls’ puberty yet. Here are all the details so you’re ready when it happens!

1. __Growing Really Fast__
 AND all of a sudden your jeans are too short. Where did that come from? It’s known as a 'growth spurt' and it’s one of the first signs that puberty has begun.
First, you may notice your feet and hands getting bigger. Next, your arm and leg bones grow, so you’re taller. You may also gain some weight to match the boost in your bone size.
This is sometimes called 'the awkward time' because you feel like your body is not quite proportional. But don’t worry! Your body knows what it’s doing and soon enough, it will even itself out.

2. __Bigger Breasts__
 Your boobs develop in stages. At first you may notice what feel like little 'buds' or swellings, under your nipples. After that your breasts will get bigger and fuller, and may feel more than a little sore at times.
Remember, every girl is different. How large or small your breasts will be depends on the physical, genetic traits in your family. Wondering [how big your boobs will get](https://www.always.co.uk/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-body/breast-development-during-puberty/)? It takes two to three years to reach their permanent size.
 
__Help! My boobs are uneven!__
 
One breast may grow more than the other at first, but they'll even out later(most women have one breast that is larger than the other, but the difference is usually small).

3. __Body Hair!__
 You’ll notice hair growing in your pubic area, that section of your middle that a bikini bottom covers. At first, this hair is soft and there's not much of it. Later, it grows longer and becomes a little curly.
 Around this time, hair will grow under your arms too. Some women prefer to remove some of this hair. Try talking through your options with an older trusted female friend or family member.

4. __More curves__
 Hello, curves! As your pelvis (the large bone across your hips) begins to grow, your hips get wider, your breasts develop and your waist gets smaller. In other words, your body gets some 'shape'.
Some girls gain weight quickly during this time. Exercise and eat well, but don’t get worried. Weight gain is absolutely a natural part of puberty!

5. __More sweat__
 Is it hot in here? It may just be you sweating more! It’s because your sweat glands are becoming larger and more active.

6. __Oily Skin and Hair__
 Pimples, spots and grease – oh my! , the pores in your skin produce more oil, especially on your face. Enter acne. It’s probably time to get into a new routine of washing your hair and face more often. Just don’t freak out too much. Everyone has spots pop up!

7. __Changes in Your Genitals__
 Your [genitals also grow](https://www.always.co.uk/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-body/female-reproductive-system/) and change during puberty. Your outside parts (the vulva) are enclosed by two sets of 'lips'. The larger lips have hair; the inner, smaller lips don't. These increase in size a little bit.
You can’t see it, but inside your body, your vagina is getting longer and your uterus is getting bigger.

8. __Discharge__
 Has your underwear been getting a little wet sometimes? Have you noticed yellow or white stains in your undies at the end of the day?
This is discharge, the fluid that's produced by your body to naturally moisten and cleanse your vagina. It's perfectly normal and means that you’ll probably start having periods very soon.

9. __Your Period__
 A big red sign that you’re well on your way through puberty! For the first two years, your periods can be very unpredictable. You could have one period and then wait as long as six months for the next one. One period may last a day, another, ten days. You may experience [spotting between periods](https://www.always.co.uk/en-gb/feminine-products/panty-liners/always-dailies-flexistyle/).
 It takes one or two years for your periods to even out. Eventually, your cycle will settle into a regular pattern that’s unique to your body.

Changes during puberty...

Puberty starts in the brain when the pituitary gland sends out a message to the ovaries to start producing estrogen, the female hormone. This ultimately means that girls start menstruating, aka getting their periods.

As part of what happens during puberty for girls, a host of physical changes happen to girls’ bodies that are intended to prepare the body for being fertile, such as growing wider hips, growing breasts, developing vaginal discharge, and growing underarm and pubic hair.

That’s what puberty is for girls. However, the hormones created during this process produce a lot of changes in your body, as well as your emotions.

So, there’s actually a lot more to it than that. Here’s a little more about what happens during puberty from an emotional perspective.

Puberty starts in the brain...

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1 What is puberty anyway

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A070 First Period Stories

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3 Growing pubic and underarm hair

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A078 All You Need to Know About Boobs! (Teen breast growth and development)

All You Need to Know About Boobs!

1 Growing breasts

The process can take anywhere between 1½–4 years. Starting puberty earlier than 8 or later than 13 should be discussed with you doctor. Generally, girls can expect their [first period](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/period-questions/) about 2 years after the [first signs](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/first-period-symptoms/) of breast development but note that process can vary depending to an extent on when you start it. 

The process can take anywhere...

Here are some clues that will help determine when you will start your periods and begin puberty:

A081 When Does Puberty Start?

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1 When does puberty end for girls?

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A086 Breast Lumps: What Do They Mean?

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So you’re waiting, but nothing’s happening. When is it going to hit? When does puberty start? Visit our website and find out!

When Does Puberty Start?

Jody Horton, 20 y.o. 
Downend Boxing Club, South West

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“As a female boxer it's great to see companies such as Always supporting the rise in female participation in sports. The donation is welcomed after the financial hardship the pandemic has brought. With funding we can increase opportunities for current boxers and open doors for girls looking to get into boxing. Thank you”

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“I can’t thank you and the teams at Always and Sported enough for this funding. We have had lots of young women signing up for the new Ladies Junior Team so the £200 is greatly appreciated and will be put to very good use.”

Wondering when your period comes and goes? Click here to use the official Always period calculator to stay on track and feel confident!

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2 When does puberty start?

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6 Getting your period

What Happens During Puberty?

Perhaps the highlight of the female puberty stages is getting your [first period](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/what-does-your-first-period-look-like/). Your period is when you shed blood and tissue (aka menstrual fluid) through your vagina. This will happen about once a month and last between 3 and 7 days.

Don’t worry if your period is irregular at first and doesn’t come exactly once a month. This is normal. Your body will get on a regular schedule within a year or two.

When you get your period, you’ll want to use a pad to protect your knickers. [Always Ultra pads](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/always-ultra/) are a great choice because they have an absorbent core that turns your menstrual fluid into gel – and gel can’t leak - providing up to 100% leakage protection.

Perhaps the highlight...

You will also notice changes to your skin. Your pores will start producing more oil, which can cause breakouts. Adopting a good daily skin care routine will help.

Your body will also start sweating more and you will develop your own unique body odour. Talk to your parents or an adult you trust about starting to use deodorant.

You will also notice...

A074 Stages of Puberty in Girls

As you prepare to grow into a beautiful, confident young lady, it can be exciting, but also scary. Don’t worry! Read our list of 8 stages and signs of puberty!

A079 Signs You’re Going Through Puberty

Signs You’re Going Through Puberty

The first step is to work out the length of your average menstrual cycle. Day one is the first day of the menstrual period and the last day is the day before the next period begins. If your cycle lasts up to 28 days, your ovulation will be around day 14 (two weeks before your next period). This information will help you calculate your future periods.

How to calculate the menstrual cycle without the calculator

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 3 What physical changes happen during puberty?

What physical changes happen during puberty?

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A077 How to Improve Self-Confidence?

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In fact, they have an absorbent core that turns liquid into gel, keeping liquid away from your skin for a clean, fresh feeling.

Always Ultra pads are super thin and absorbent.

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Before you get your period, you’ll start noticing a clear or milky white fluid in your knickers. This is [vaginal discharge](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/what-is-vaginal-discharge/). It is caused by your body’s changing hormones and is your vagina’s way of [staying healthy and protected](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/). Think of it a little like your vagina’s own self-cleaning system, a little like how tears are for your eyes.

Before you get your period...

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A047 What Are The Symptoms Before Your Period?

What Are The Symptoms Before Your Period?

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Period calculator predicts the time to expect your next period by analyzing your period history data. Every girl and every cycle is unique so it's important to remember that this the best estimate of your menstrual cycle. Better to feel prepared than surprised, no?

The average period lasts up to 28 days, but it’s completely normal to have a slightly longer or shorter cycle. No need to worry as it’s all very natural. Considering that, period calculator is not 100% accurate for girls who have irregular periods, as its extremely complicated to predict the date of the next period in those cases, however, it can help give you an overview of just how irregular your period is and therefore have more of an idea of what to expect in future.

How the calculator calculates the menstrual cycle?

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When will I know when I’ve started puberty?

2 When will I know when I’ve started puberty?

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Julia Thomson BIO

Julia Thomson is a general paediatrician with expertise in paediatric cardiology.

Julia Thomson - Consultant Paediatrician

Julia Thomson

BA BM MSc FRCPCH MacadMEd

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