puberty

Articles and Advice in this area:

Advice
  • CJ Turett

Without hormones, our bodies would not be able to function! Hormones are essentially chemical messengers that deliver the memo to cells that they are supposed to change up what they’re doing. Not all hormones are sex hormones; there are lots of kinds! Many hormones are produced by our endocrine…

Article
  • Heather Corinna

What are breasts made of? What’s normal for nipples? Is something wrong with me if my breasts aren’t sensitive? Can someone who isn’t pregnant lactate? Do I need a bra? Why aren’t my boobs bigger? Sit back, take a load off and have a read for these answers and more.

Advice
  • Hollie West

Hi there, It is important to remember that young people mature at different rates. Not all people with uteruses will have started menstruating by the age of 14. There are other stages of puberty that are important and lead up to menstruation. For example, by the age of 14, you should notice some…

Advice
  • Heather Corinna

Fordyce’s spots – if that’s what we’re talking about here – are nothing to be concerned with. If they are on the lower shaft of the penis – rather than around the glans – and you have had them for a while and have not been sexually active with a partner, that’s certainly a possible issue here…

Advice
  • Heather Corinna

You just answered your own question. You don’t need me at all! :) If you don’t think you can handle a sex life right now, and you don’t feel like sex outside of a certain context – which you are not currently in or don’t have the opportunity to be in – fits with what you believe or is going to be…

Article
  • Heather Corinna

Throw a rock at any sex education site or service, ask what the most common question we get is from men and we’ll all tell you that it’s about penis size. We don’t imagine with this piece we’ll never get asked again, but we’re hoping these answers get you guys better filled in so you can feel good about yourselves, your penises and whatever you do (or don’t) do with them.

Advice
  • Heather Corinna

A lot of people don’t realize that there are changes to the vulva during puberty. The labia and clitoris so expand some, and in addition, because of the rest of your body growing and changes in your body composition, the mons of the vulva tends to pull back, which can result in the inner labia…

Advice
  • Heather Corinna

I’m afraid that there isn’t a whole lot I can do for you, Guyman. You’re right: it is totally normal right now for you to feel strong sexual desires, and to get pretty excited when you’re around people that you’re attracted to. It’s also certainly more profound because of your age. It does settle…

Article

Reprinted from S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College , © 2007 Heather Corinna/Marlowe & Company. Illustration by Molly Crabapple. Want to print out copies for yourself? Click here to download one in PDF format. Enjoy!

Advice
  • Heather Corinna

Not having sex shouldn’t cause anyone to have a nervous breakdown. And if you feel like your mental health hinges on being sexually active with a partner, that’s not a good thing – or healthy for you or a relationship – and something you’d want to address with a mental health professional. Mind…