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Puberty for boys and people with a penis

Puberty is a strange and sweaty time for everyone, so here’s a handy guide to puberty for young people with a penis and balls

Puberty is a strange and sweaty time for all of us. When we get to a certain age, our brains start flooding our bodies with a special hormone, triggering all sorts of changes. Going through such a sudden period of change can be stressful and even isolating for teenagers, who may feel too embarrassed to talk about what’s happening to them. To start off, here’s a guide to some of the changes in puberty for people with a penis and balls may experience from roughly the ages of 10 to 18.

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Body developments

People with penises and balls undergo a great deal of physical growth once puberty arrives. These changes happen at different rates as everyone goes through puberty in various ways. You will start growing taller and developing muscles, especially around the chest as it grows broader.

This may cause the nipples to become more sensitive and possibly swollen for a time. Your voice will also grow deeper and can occasionally crack as your voice box gets bigger. Don’t worry if you make a funny sound by accident when you talk, it’s a very common element of your vocal transition.

Hair down there and everywhere

You may find yourself growing a great deal of new body hair when you reach puberty. Areas like your legs, chest, arms, armpits, pubic area, and face, may all start developing their own layer of fuzz to manage. Body hair is completely normal. But if you decide you’d like to remove your body hair, take the time to read up on some tips, like what type of razor to use and how to avoid cuts.

The sweat glands located under your arms and between your legs will also kick into overdrive, so it’s a good idea to bathe regularly to remain clean and help keep any odour under control.

Spots and acne

One of the more challenging parts of puberty for teenagers is the very common skin condition called acne. Due to a frustrating combination of hormonal changes and overzealous sweat glands, you may find yourself having to deal with different sorts of acne. Mild acne may be managed by implementing a regular skin care routine, while more severe cases may require the help of a skin care professional or doctor. It’s normal if you feel embarrassed because of your acne, but keep in mind that you’re not alone and your skin will clear up with time.

Sexual changes

Don’t be surprised if a major part of going through puberty means an increase in genital awareness. Your penis and testicles will grow, and you may start to experience frequent erections as your sexual arousal spikes. An erection is when your penis grows stiff, extends, and sticks upwards. These can occur when you’re sexually aroused, or even at times when you’re not. You may also start to experience wet dreams, also called nocturnal emissions, which are a natural part of your development.

However, while wet dreams are common for people with a penis or balls going through puberty, not everyone will have one. This is no cause for concern and does not mean there is anything wrong with you or your genitals.

Ultimately, puberty is an odd time in everyone’s life, but it’s a regular part of growing up that luckily doesn’t last forever. If you’re feeling anxious or unsure about your experiences, read up as much as you can and be prepared to learn a lot from personal experience.

Figuring it out may take patience, but before you know it you’ll have made it out the other side.

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Last Reviewed 10 February 2023

Image Credit: natureaddict via Pixabay