Puberty: boys

What is it?

The first sign for most boys is that their testicles get bigger.

Puberty is when your body changes from a child to an adult. Boys start puberty around 10 or 12 years old, but it can happen earlier or later.

What happens?

• The first sign for most boys is that their testicles get bigger and within about a year their penis will start to grow larger.
• Their body will start producing more sex hormones, so they have more sexual feelings and more erections. Stiffies can appear when they're not even aroused (turned on), and sometimes at the most awkward moments. This can be embarrassing, but usually no one notices.
• Boys also begin producing sperm, which means they'll be able to ejaculate. Sometimes they can ejaculate in their sleep - this is a wet dream.
• Hairs crop up all over the place - especially on their armpits, legs, arms and around the penis. Their face will get hairier and they might grow hairs on their chest too.
• Their whole body grows bigger and more muscular. The arms and legs usually grow first, which can feel weird to them, but the rest of their body will catch up.
• Their voice will start to sound lower. The tone might wobble, crackle or be difficult to control at first - this is what people mean when they talk about boys' voices breaking.
• The extra hormones will make their skin get more oily, so they might get acne and sweat more too.
• Some boys get a swelling underneath their nipples, which can look like the start of breasts - they shouldn't panic though, they're not, and it's only temporary. See man boobs link

Further help and advice

Further help and advice

Talk4Teens
Childline: Puberty
factsoflife.org.uk
bbc.co.uk/science

Written by Dr Melissa Sayer

Last updated 17th June 2007

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