Attractions and relationshipsContraceptionInfections Pregnancy Sex Symptoms Your body - girls and women Your body - boys and men

What is puberty?

Puberty in a boy means the physical and emotional changes that occur when a boy becomes a young man. It can take place only when the body starts to make new hormones. These hormones guide the physical changes but can also produce emotional changes.

 

 

 

When does puberty start?

Most boys begin to notice the physical changes that we associate with puberty between the ages of 11 and 14 years, this is slightly later than for girls. This process is the result of changes in the hormones that the body produces. These homones produce direct physical and emotional changes. Puberty can take several years and although different boys develop at different rates most will have undergone most of the changes before they are 19.

 

 

 

Why do boys voices break during puberty?

During puberty boys voices get deeper, lower pitched, because their voice box, larynx, which is at the front of the neck, gets larger and changes shape. This is why boys Adam's apples, which are at the front of the voice box, also get bigger. We talk about 'voices breaking' during puberty because the change in pitch can be very sudden, even overnight, although it can take a few weeks or months. During this time the voice can be high one minute and lower another. Eventually all voices even out.

 

 

 

Why is my body changing shape?

During puberty, your body will change from looking boyish to that of a young man. This is because your bones and muscles get thicker and stronger.

 

 

 

What changes should I expect in my genitals?

During puberty, your testicles will grow bigger and your penis bigger and longer.

 

 

 

My penis is a different size to those of my friends, am I normal?

Boys and men often worry that their penis is smaller, or larger, than others. If you look down at your own penis it looks smaller than it actually is anyway, this is called foreshortening, why not have a look in a mirror instead? Adult penises are usually 6–10 cm long when soft and 12–19 cm long when hard/erect. The thickness is about 3–4 cm across. 12-year-old boys typically have a penis that is 3–5 cm long when soft, and less than 8 cm when hard/erect.

 

 

 

 

What should my testicles, balls, look and feel like?

Most boys and men have two testicles which are about equal in size, although this can vary between boys and men. Your testicles should feel smooth overall with a lumpy bit at the back and top, this is where the sperm tube, or the epididymis, is. Testicles are very sensitive to pressure!

> Examining your testicles for lumps etc.

 

 

 

I am getting hairier, what should I do?

During puberty, thicker, darker hair will start to grow in your armpits, underarm hair, and on your legs, upper lip and beard area. Pubic hair will also start to grow between your legs at the base of your penis.

 

 

 

What should I do about this hair, especially facial hair?

During puberty, boys start to grow longer, darker and coarser hair on their legs, genitals, arms, face and chest. In boys and men, the first hair that grows on your face is quite soft, slow-growing and usually on the upper lip and chin. Even if you don't want to grow a moustache and beard you probably won't need to remove this very often. Later on, you will get darker, thicker, faster-growing hair over a larger area of your face. If you don't want to grow a moustache and beard you will probably need to remove this hair every day. Most boys and men remove this facial hair by shaving with razors which can be bought at chemists and supermarkets. Scraping the skin every day with a sharp blade can cause it to become irritated which is why most boys and men use shaving foam or shaving gel to help the blade slide over the skin more easily.

 

 

 

What are erections? Why are they sometimes a bit curved?

An erection is when your penis hardens and lengthens. This is caused by blood rushing into the penis and not escaping for a while. Because of the anatomy of the penis, erections point up towards the belly button and a bit away from the body. Some have a curvy bend upwards or slightly to either side.

 

 

 

When do boys and men start to have erections?

Boys and men can have erections at any age, even when they are babies. Boys often first notice erections during puberty, which can be worrying and/or embarrassing because they can happen at times when you would rather they didn't.

 

 

 

Can I stop an erection?

If you think you are about to have an erection at a time that you would rather not have one it might help to sit down and concentrate on something different.

 

 

 

 

 

What is ejaculation?

Ejaculation is the 'emission' of semen, containing sperm, from the penis through the same hole, opening, that you urinate from. Ejaculation happens when you are sexually excited enough for some muscles at the base of the penis to contract hard which causes semen to spurt or dribble out. Most boys and men have between 3 and 15 of these contractions each one lasting about a second, with the first three being the biggest. It is accompanied by very pleasurable feelings called an orgasm. Most men produce about a teaspoon of semen each time but only one sperm is needed to fertilise an egg. Some boys or men can ejaculate several times a day, others can do it less often, this is quite normal.

 

 

 

When will I start to ejaculate?

Although boys and men, even babies, can have erections at any time you will only start to ejaculate between the ages of about 10 and 18, usually around 13–14 years. You might first ejaculate, also known as male orgasm or 'coming', when you are asleep, see below for more about wet dreams, or you might ejaculate when you masturbate.

 

 

 

What is semen?

Semen, 'spunk', is a milky liquid containing sperm. It can be thin and watery or thick and almost yellow. When you ejaculate it might shoot out or just dribble, both are normal.

 

 

 

What are wet dreams and are they unhealthy?

Wet dreams are very common, especially in boys, but it is also quite normal not to have them. If you have had a wet dream you might wake up to find a wet patch on your sleeping clothes or on the sheets. This wetness is due to some semen, the sticky liquid that sperm is part of, coming out of your penis while you are asleep. You don't have to have had a sexual dream or remember having one. Wet dreams are not dangerous or unhealthy. To prevent infections it is a good idea to wash your testicles and penis after you have had a wet dream, particularly behind your foreskin if you haven't been circumcised. Washing these areas daily is a very good idea anyway, to keep you clean and smelling good and to prevent any minor infections. If you don't want anyone to know you are having wet dreams you can always wear pants in bed.

 

 

 

 

 

Back to top