Around the time girls are starting to get their earliest breast tissue I start talking to those patients about puberty and all it brings. For some girls this could be as young as 8 or 9 years old; for others it isn't until they are 12 or 13. Talking about puberty is important and here's what I say:

What an exciting time this is for you! Your body is starting to change from a girl's body to a woman's body. This process of your body changing is called puberty and here's how it works: The first sign of puberty is getting lumps under your nipples on your chest. These lumps may be tender and sometimes one side starts before the other but the other side always catches up. Some girls may already have hair on their private parts and need to wear deodorant, but most haven't started that part of the process when they start getting boobs. Even if you do have hair down there and need deodorant, it isn't until you start getting boobs that puberty is under way.

It takes about 2 to 2 1/2 years from the time you start getting boobs until you have your period. Do you know what a period is? (I wait for the answer and either way say what follows). Your period is a little bit of painless bleeding that happens out of your vagina each month when you are not pregnant. It marks the beginning of womanhood. A lot happens before you get your period though. After your boobs start growing and you need to wear a bra, you will start to get hair on your private parts and in your armpits. As your boobs continue to grow, you will start to see your shape change, too. You will start to get a waist and your hips and shoulders will get a little wider. Some girls will be really round looking at the beginning of puberty, but most will look thin once they are about half way through and that "baby fat" is being used to grow really tall.

You will know when you are getting close to starting your period when your boobs change - not just bigger, but the nipple is like a little mound of tissue sitting on top of the breast itself. That evens out so it won't be like a little hat on your boob forever, but when it looks like that you are going to get your period in the next six months or so. By this point you'll have a lot of hair on your private parts and in your armpits.

During puberty, your body is going to grow about 4 inches in one year. With all the other changes it is important to eat enough and eat healthy foods to fuel your body.

All of this happens because of hormones and these hormones affect your feelings, too. You will have days when you feel so happy you almost pee your pants laughing so hard and on the same day you may cry for no reason and feel so angry at a little annoying thing your brother did that you want to punch his lights out. It's a roller coaster - and it's normal. Your brain is changing, too, and growing like crazy during this time. You'll start thinking differently and more deeply about everything.

It's exciting and amazing that you are starting puberty, but remember that no one on earth loves you more than your parents. No one. All of this change is bound to bring some questions about your feelings or your body and you will start to even think that kissing isn't the grossest thing on earth. Your parents want to help you as you have questions, so ask them anything! There is nothing you can ask or say that will embarrass your mom or dad or will get you in trouble! They would rather you ask them and get the true answer than assume what you are hearing from your friends is right. I know it can be weird to ask your parents about boobs and hairy parts and feelings like you want to kiss someone, but they want you to! Of course you can always ask me your questions, too, and you know you'll get a true answer here, too.

I hope your mom or dad will be the one to bring up stuff to make it a little easier for you, but if not still be sure to ask anything and everything. Remember, your parents went through puberty, too, and believe it or not they have had sex, too, so when you have questions they really do have the answers.