Teen Sexual Health

As a teenager, you go through many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. The biggest change is puberty, the process of becoming sexually mature. It usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys. As your body changes, you may have questions about sexual health.

During this time, you start to develop your own unique personality and opinions. Some changes that you might notice include

• Increased independence from your parents
• More concerns about body image and clothes
• More influence from peers
• Greater ability to sense right and wrong
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All of these changes can sometimes seem overwhelming. Some sadness or moodiness can be normal. But feeling very sad, hopeless, or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem. If you need help, talk to your parents, school counselor, or health care provider.

Puberty is the time in life when a boy or girl becomes sexually mature. It is a physical change that usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys. Puberty affects boys and girls differently.

In girls:

• The first sign of puberty is usually breast development.
• Other signs are the growth of hair in the pubic area and armpits, and acne.
• Menstruation (or a period) usually happens last.

In boys:

• Puberty usually begins with the testicles and penis getting bigger.
• Then hair grows in the pubic area and armpits.
• Muscles grow, the voice deepens, and acne and facial hair develop as puberty continues.

Both boys and girls also usually have a growth spurt (a rapid increase in height) that lasts for about 2 or 3 years. This brings them closer to their adult height, which they reach after puberty.

for more details clicks: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teensexualhealth.html