Sex Education Series: Changes in Boys during Puberty

Puberty is a time in your life - roughly from ages 11 to 17 - when your body goes through a lot of changes very rapidly. Below are some of the main changes that happen to guys' bodies during puberty.

Your Penis and Testicles Will Get Bigger

This is usually the first big change that your body will go through when you reach the end of your kid years. Once your testicles grow, your body will be hit with a big wave of hormones, which will trigger changes in other parts of your body.

 

You'll Start to Grow Body Hair

During puberty, you'll start to grow hair on your face, in your pubic area and under your arms, and the hair on your arms and legs will grow darker and coarser. Some guys also grow hair on their chest, belly and back. Body hair grows at different rates for different people, so while some guys have full beards in high school, other guys' facial hair might not grow till their late teens or early 20's - and some guys might not grow facial hair at all.

 

You'll Get Stronger

As your body grows from a kid's body into an adult's, you'll grow more muscle mass, which means you'll naturally get stronger. This change usually happens in the later stages of puberty (in your late teen years), and it's called your "strength spurt."

 

You Might Get Wet Dreams

Wet Dreams also called "nocturnal emissions," are when your penis ejaculates sperm while you're asleep. They're totally normal and nothing to worry about, though they can be inconvenient and sorta messy.

 

Your Voice Will Get Deeper

As your body grows, your voice box grows, too, making your voice get deeper quickly. You might accidentally make cracks or squeaks when you talk, but don't sweat it. The squeaking usually only last for a couple of months, and it's just a sign that you're shedding that kid voice and turning into a man.

 

You Might Not Grow as Fast as Some Girls in Your Class

Girls tend to go through puberty before some guys do, which means that some of your gal pals might go through a growth spurt before you have a chance to catch up with them.

 

You'll Start to Sweat More

And unlike kid sweat, your new sweat comes with a smell.If you find yourself sweating all the time, even when you're not stressed, hot or exercising, you might have a problem with your sweat glands should talk to a doctor.

 

Your Skin Will Get Oilier

During your teen years, your changing hormone levels will lead to oilier skin and breakouts. You can fight the zits by using the right skin products, but if those don't work, you might want to get the advice of a dermatologist.