Growth is messy, but it is not ugly.
Growth is messy, but it is not ugly.
» Puberty Start
Puberty typically begins for most girls and boys, and that timing can vary from person to person.
» How Puberty Begins
Hormones from the brain signal the body to start puberty. These hormones trigger changes in growth, skin, and body hair. They also prepare the body for reproduction.
» Physical Changes
During puberty, the body goes through many changes like hair growth, voice changes, and genital development.
» Emotional Changes
Hormones can affect emotions, causing mood swings and stronger feelings. Teens may feel more self-conscious about their appearance or relationships. It affirms that these experiences are normal.
» Sleep patterns
Sleep patterns may start to change; most of the teenagers stay awake later at night and sleep until later in the day.
This typically happens around 11-12 years for boys.
The hormones tell the testicles to make the hormone testosterone and sperm.
Physical changes of puberty in males begin with the testicles enlarging.
Dark, coarse, curly hair grows above the penis and on the scrotum.
The penis and testes increase in size, and erections occur more frequently.
Ejaculation, which includes the release of sperm-containing semen, takes place; nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) may occur.
Hair develops under the arms and in the beard area.
Voice changes occur, first seen as a cracking sound, leading to a deeper voice.
Some males may experience breast growth (gynecomastia), which typically resolves within 6 to 18 months.
Body shape changes, including broadening shoulders and increases in weight and muscle mass.
A growth spurt usually occurs between ages 12 and 15, with most males ceasing growth by age 16, although muscle development continues.
This typically happens around 10-11 years for girls.
The hormones tell the ovaries to make the hormone estrogen and trigger the growth and release of eggs.
The first physical change of puberty for most females is breast development, starting with small, tender lumps known as buds.
Breast size increases over the next one to two years.
Dark, coarse, curly hair develops on the labia, followed by hair growth in the pubic area and underarms.
Body shape changes as hips widen and body fat increases.
Menstruation typically begins about two years after breast buds appear, commonly between ages 9 and 16.
A growth spurt usually occurs 1-2 years prior to the onset of menstruation.
Following the first period, most females grow an additional 1-2 inches before growth ceases.
Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes the foreskin, the skin covering the tip of the penis. It’s most commonly done on newborn boys but can be performed at any age.
In the Philippines, circumcision, called “tuli,” usually occurs just before boys reach their teenage years. Its exact origins are unclear, but it may have come from Islamic customs before Christianity arrived in the country.
Traditionally, a person called the “manunuli” performs the procedure. Boys would soak their penises in a river for over an hour to soften the foreskin. The foreskin is then stretched on a wooden base, and another piece of wood is used to guide a knife to remove it. Guava leaves are applied to the wound to help reduce bleeding. Today, most procedures are done by medical professionals using local anesthesia, though the traditional method is still practiced in some rural areas.
Many boys choose to undergo tuli to avoid being called “supot.” While the word literally means “uncircumcised,” it has long been used as an insult, implying cowardice or weakness.
Why it's done?
» Cultural or religious reasons - Many families choose it for tradition.
» Hygiene - It can make cleaning the penis simpler.
» Medical reasons - Sometimes the foreskin is too tight to retract (phimosis) or causes inflammation.
» Risk reduction - In certain areas or situations, it may lower the risk of HIV or other conditions.
What health benefits of circumcision are there to males?
» Easier to keep the penis clean, which can help prevent infections.
» Lower risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs)
» May lower the risk of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
» Helps prevent penile problems like phimosis and inflammation.
» Penile cancer is rare but occurs less often in circumcised males, and female partners may have a lower risk of cervical cancer.
The menstrual cycle is the monthly process your body goes through to get ready for a possible pregnancy. It starts on the first day of your period and continues until the first day of your next one. Most menstrual cycles fall within a range of 24 to 38 days.
4 Stages of Menstrual Cycle
» Menstrual Phase: Starts on the first day of your period. The uterus lining sheds if there’s no pregnancy, usually lasting 3–7 days.
» Follicular Phase: Overlaps with menses and lasts until ovulation. Rising estrogen thickens the uterus lining, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) helps eggs in the ovaries develop. By days 10–14, one egg matures.
» Ovulation: Around day 14 in a 28-day cycle, a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the ovary to release a mature egg.
» Luteal Phase: From day 15 to 28, progesterone rises to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If the egg isn’t fertilized, hormone levels drop, and the uterus lining sheds during the next period.
Most people start menstruating around the age of 12, though it can begin as early as 8 or as late as 16. Menstruation usually starts a few years after the development of breasts and pubic hair.
Periods stop at menopause, which typically happens around age 51. Menopause marks the end of egg production (ovulation), and it’s confirmed when a person hasn’t had a period for a full year.
(During your period, rinsing more often with water if desired is fine; avoid overusing soap.)
Some people feel symptoms before or during their period, while others don’t. The most common symptom is cramps, which happen as the uterus contracts to shed its lining.
Other possible signs include:
» Mood swings
» Difficulty sleeping
»Headaches
» Cravings for certain foods
» Bloating
» Sore or tender breasts
» Acne
Abnormal menstruation means your period is different from what’s typically expected. Irregular periods can look like having cycles that are too close together or far apart, missing several periods in a row, bleeding that’s much heavier or lighter than usual, bleeding between periods, or periods that last over a week.
When your period doesn’t come on time, this is usually called late menstruation. A normal cycle is often about 28–30 days, and it’s generally considered late if it goes past about 35 days without a period. There are several reasons your period might be late even if you’re not pregnant. These include things like stress, sudden weight gain or loss, changes in your lifestyle, breastfeeding, or approaching menopause. Occasionally missing or late periods isn’t usually a big concern if it only happens once or twice, but if it keeps happening often, it’s a good idea to check with a healthcare provider.
» A delay of up to 3 days is usually not a concern
» A delay of up to 7 days may still be considered normal
» A delay of 15 days or longer, excluding pregnancy, is considered abnormal
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects females of reproductive age. It happens when the ovaries produce higher-than-normal levels of male hormones (androgens), which can interfere with ovulation.
According to the World Health Organization, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) often begins during adolescence, when hormonal changes first occur in puberty. It can cause irregular or missed menstrual periods because ovulation does not happen regularly. Teenagers with PCOS may also experience acne, weight gain, or increased hair growth due to higher levels of androgens (male-type hormones).
References:
Raising Children Network. (n.d.). Sex education for pre-teens: Puberty & sexual development.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/development/puberty-sexual-development/sex-education
Nemours KidsHealth. (n.d.). Puberty: Body changes in teens.
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/puberty.html
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Circumcision: Procedure & overview.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/circumcision
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Circumcision: About the procedure.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/circumcision/about/pac-20393550
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Menstrual cycle: Stages & overview.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10132-menstrual-cycle
MakatiMed. (2025). Circumcision at birth vs later — Is one better than the other?
https://www.makatimed.net.ph/blogs/circumcision-at-birth-vs-later-is-one-better-than-the-other/
World. (2026, January 22). Polycystic ovary syndrome. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome?fbclid=IwY2xjawQPPolleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJYOVRZR2R4RzlRQ3FNczZhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiBY4D4HuiPP2D_dkOR5ity3cosSRPWX1WUYjbwYuDClVnEo84KircF5J26d_aem_UO1McvNWO1rKD3QepuSORQ
Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Abnormal Menstruation (Periods) . Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14633-abnormal-menstruation-periods
What to do when your period is late but there are no signs of pregnancy? (2025). Vinmec International Hospital.
https://www.vinmec.com/eng/blog/what-to-do-if-your-period-is-late-but-there-are-no-signs-of-pregnancy-en