Is my body normal? (Girls)

Puberty is a time when your body goes through lots of changes. It can be wonderful and exciting, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming or uncomfortable.

This is the time when your body changes from being a girl into being a woman, and develops the ability to have a baby. All of the changes come from your body’s natural chemicals, called hormones.

Puberty for girls usually starts between the ages of 8 and 13, and lasts a few years.

If you haven’t started developing breasts by age 12, or had your first period by age 15 (or if you are concerned about any body issues), talk to an adult (like your parents or another adult you trust) or your doctor. The main thing to remember is that all bodies are different and puberty is experienced differently by everyone.

Your body image is how you think and feel about your body. Body image involves your thoughts, perceptions, imagination and emotions. People can experience a positive or a negative body image and can be influenced by both the internal and external factors in our lives. Your body image does not necessarily reflect what you see in the mirror or what other people see. For example, a person may think and feel that their body is much larger or smaller than it is. In some cases, a person may feel that the sex of their body doesn’t feel right. When this mismatch causes severe distress, it is called gender dysphoria.

It’s common to wonder if you are ‘normal’ as you go through the changes of puberty. But comparing yourself too closely with others can be unhelpful. The important thing to remember is: girls’ bodies come in all shapes and sizes – there is no ‘normal’.

The best things you can do are:

• Access information and learn about puberty, so you know what to expect.
• Take care of your body – nourish your body with food and move your body for health and for enjoyment.
• Be kind to yourself along the way!

Physical growth for girls

One of the most obvious things that happens to you during puberty is that you grow. You might find your hands and feet grow first, so you may feel a bit clumsy and awkward at first. The rest of your body will catch up though, and you will feel more coordinated.

Usually, girls hit their peak growth time around 2 years after puberty starts. You might find you grow very quickly. It’s around this time that menstruation (your period) starts, too.

After your peak growth phase, your growth will slow down and you might only grow around 5 to 7.5cm after that.

Weight gain

Your growth spurt might include some weight gain, especially around your hips (which become curvier) and your breasts.

This body fat is normal. Female bodies need more body fat to have a healthy reproductive and menstrual cycle.

You may develop stretch marks if your body grows very quickly and your skin scars as it stretches. Stretch marks may start out being bright red, but over time they usually fade to a silvery white that you can hardly see.

Growing breasts

Growing breasts can be stressful and embarrassing, especially if you compare yourself with your friends or other peers, celebrities, or if other people make comments. It is normal for breasts to grow at different rates. They can keep developing until you’re 17 or 18 years old, or sometimes into your twenties.

Nipples change during puberty too. It’s normal for their colour to become pink or dark brown, and for them to grow occasional hairs. Sometimes they can turn inward, or stick out.

Breast size and shape can run in the family, so your mother’s breasts can be a good indicator of what yours will look like. Of course, other factors such as your body size can also affect the shape and size of your breasts.

Menstruation (getting your period)

Many girls get their first period around 2 years after their breasts first start to grow, but it can start earlier or later – everyone’s experience is different.

So what is happening when you have your period? Each month, the lining of your uterus (your womb) becomes thick with blood to help a fertilised egg to grow (if the egg that you released that month has been fertilised by a sperm). If the lining is not needed, because there is no fertilised egg, that lining sheds, and blood comes out of your vagina.

Only a couple of tablespoons of blood comes out with each period, but it can seem like a lot more. Blood flow is usually heavier in the first day or two and can be bright or dark red. The flow usually becomes lighter and the blood may turn brown towards the end of your period.

While a 28-day cycle is common, it can take some time for periods to settle into that pattern. At first, you might have two periods in one month, or you may skip a month.

Your period will usually last between 2 and 8 days, and can arrive every 21 to 35 days.

What is the vulva?

The vulva is the name for your outer genitals (the ones that are outside of your body). Your vulva includes:

• the opening of your vagina
• the inner and outer lips (labia) around your vagina
• the clitoris (a small bump of tissue located above the opening of your vagina, at the top of the inner labia – it is covered by a small flap of skin, and is very sensitive).

The vagina is a passage that leads from the opening (between the labia) to the cervix (the neck of the womb). Vaginas come in different shapes, sizes and colours. Some are small and egg-shaped, while others are large and cylindrical. Colours can range from light pink to a reddish-brown pink.

During puberty, your vagina starts to produce a discharge to keep itself moist and clean. This discharge can become thicker and stickier at some points during your menstrual cycle.

It is perfectly normal for the discharge to have a light odour. If it becomes quite smelly, or turns a dark yellow or green colour, it is important to see a doctor because it could be an infection.

The labia are the folds of skin – or lips – that you can see on either side of the vaginal opening. The outer ones are called the labia majora. The inner ones are called the labia minora. They are there to protect your vagina.

From what you have seen online or in pornography, you might think labia all look the same, or that there is one look we should all aspire to – this is not true.

There are many healthy and natural ways for labia to look. The Labia Library was set up to show that, just like all other parts of our bodies, labia come in different shapes, sizes and colours.

Body hair

Your body starts to grow hair in new places during puberty: under your arms, in your pubic area, and sometimes even your upper lip. The hair on your arms and legs may also get darker and thicker.

Pubic hair can grow at any point during puberty, usually starting with a few straight strands and becoming darker and curlier as it grows. Eventually it will grow into a thick triangle over your pubic region, and may spread to your inner thighs.

If you grow hair on your chest or chin, it may be a sign that you have a hormone imbalance. Don’t worry, but make an appointment to see your doctor.

Sweat

Your body will naturally start to sweat more during puberty. When this sweat mixes with bacteria, such as under your arms, it can cause body odour. You can minimise this by showering every day with soap, and using an antiperspirant or deodorant. An antiperspirant reduces the amount of sweat that reaches the skin’s surface. A deodorant reduces the amount of bacteria on the skin that causes the odour.

If you develop a rash from using an antiperspirant, you might be allergic to aluminium. There are antiperspirants available that do not use aluminium, so try one of those instead. It may also help to wear natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, or clothes made of fabrics that wick moisture and dry faster, such as polyester blends. They will help you avoid body odour and you will not show underarm sweat stains as much.

You might find your feet sweat more during puberty too, which can cause foot odour. Try to avoid shoes made of human-made materials (such as PVC leather). Don’t wear the same shoes every day – give them a chance to dry completely between wears.

Acne

Acne – which refers to whiteheads, blackheads and pimples – is caused by hormones and blocked pores in the skin. Some girls will get a lot of acne, and some won’t get much at all.

If you have a problem with acne, try cleansing your skin with a gentle non-soap cleanser. Over-the-counter acne treatment products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can also help. Try to use sunscreens, moisturisers and makeup that are labelled as 'oil-free' or ‘non-comedogenic’.

If these products do not help with your acne, don’t worry, there is more you can do. Your doctor can refer you to a dermatologist, who can help you to find a treatment.

Making friends with your body

With all the changes you go through during puberty, it can be easy to become self-conscious and uncomfortable with your body. It is natural to want to look good and feel confident in your own skin.

You may not be able to control all the changes you are going through, but you can control how well you look after yourself, inside and out. You will look and feel your best when you get enough sleep, eat a healthy balanced diet and try to get some exercise in regularly.

It can also help to remember all the great things your body can do. That might be playing the piano, doing martial arts, going bushwalking, running, or spinning a hula hoop.

Try to avoid comparing your body to others, including social media images of celebrities and influencers. They have a team of professionals – and often use photo editing software and filters – to make them look like that.

Try to hang out with people who have healthy attitudes towards their bodies, and who do not spend their time commenting on their own or other people’s bodies.

Dealing with body image issues

If you are struggling with issues to do with your body or self-esteem, it will help to talk to someone you can trust – perhaps a family member or friend, school counsellor, or your doctor.

Even if you’re not having a difficult time, it’s important to see your doctor from time to time to talk about how things are going. Try to have a general check-up with your doctor at least once a year, particularly while you are going through puberty.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• A parent, older sibling, trusted family friend, or friend’s parent
• Your school counsellor
• Kids Helpline Tel. 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, 7 days)
• Sexual Health Victoria (SHV). To book an appointment call SHV Melbourne CBD Clinic: (03) 9660 4700 or call SHV Box Hill Clinic: (03) 9257 0100 or (free call): 1800 013 952 – these services are youth friendly
• ReachOut
• The Labia Library
• Butterfly Foundation for Eating Disorders National Helpline Tel. 1800 33 4673 – to talk to someone about body image concerns