Emotional changes

Emotional changes or mood swings are a normal part of puberty. You might feel moody, crabby or even suddenly want to cry and then feel fine or happy. Hormones often cause these mood swings, and they are totally normal while you are going through puberty. During puberty, young people might:

What is menstruation?

Beginning menstruation, often called getting your period, is a normal part of puberty for girls. Your period happens around once a month because changes from puberty signal your brain to release new chemicals, called hormones, into your body.

What is a wet dream?

A wet dream is when a boy releases semen from his penis while sleeping. On waking he may find that he has ejaculated in his sleep. If this happens to you, don’t be scared, it is normal during puberty and usually happens less often as a boy gets older. Learning about these changes can help young people understand their bodies and feel more confident as they grow.

Changes that happen to a boy’s body

During puberty, lots of changes happen to a boy’s body. This includes changes to the male reproductive organs. Erections happen more often during puberty. This is when blood flows into the spongy tissue of the penis and it becomes thicker, longer, stiffer and stands on end. When this blood flow stops the erection goes away. During puberty, a boy starts to produce sperm and will begin to ejaculate. This is when semen comes out of the penis.

All about puberty

Puberty is the time when a child’s body begins changing into an adult’s body. Puberty begins at different ages in different people, and that’s normal. During puberty, the body grows and changes very quickly. This is caused by the release of chemicals (known as ‘hormones’) in the body. They travel around the bloodstream and signal different body parts to switch on, or change what they do. These tiny chemicals are responsible for the changes that happen during puberty.

What are noncommunicable diseases?

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are long-term health conditions that are not caused by infections and cannot be passed from one person to another. They often develop slowly over time and can affect a person's health, well-being, and quality of life. Eating nutritious foods, being physically active, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and making healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent many NCDs. Let’s explore ways to keep your heart and body healthy, and discover how you can support healthy habits within your family and community.
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