If your body has started to change in ways that feel strange or confusing — or if you have heard the word “hormones” and wondered exactly what it means — this article is for you.
We are going to explain puberty and hormones in plain, simple language. No complicated medical terms. No embarrassing diagrams. Just honest, helpful information from people who care about your health.
What Are Hormones?
Think of hormones as tiny messengers that travel through your blood, carrying instructions from one part of your body to another.
Your body has dozens of different hormones, each with a specific job. Some hormones tell your body when to sleep and when to wake up. Some control how hungry you feel. Some help your body grow taller. And some — the ones most relevant to puberty — are responsible for the changes you are starting to notice in your body.
Hormones are made by a group of organs called endocrine glands — including the brain, the thyroid gland in your neck, the adrenal glands above your kidneys, and the ovaries in your pelvis. Together, these glands form your endocrine system, a sophisticated communication network that keeps your body functioning properly.
What Is Puberty?
Puberty is the process your body goes through as it changes from a child’s body into an adult’s body. It is a natural, healthy, and necessary stage of life — even when it feels overwhelming.
Puberty in girls typically begins between the ages of 8 and 13 and is complete by around 16 to 17, though everyone’s timeline is different. Starting earlier or later than your friends is almost always completely normal.
The entire process is managed by your hormones. Here is how it works:
When the time is right, your brain releases a hormone that signals your ovaries to begin producing oestrogen and progesterone — the two main female sex hormones. These hormones are responsible for most of the changes you will experience during puberty.
What Changes Should You Expect?
Here is a simple, honest look at what puberty involves:
Breast development One of the first signs of puberty in girls is breast buds — small, sometimes tender lumps that form under the nipples. Breasts continue to develop over several years. It is completely normal for one breast to be slightly larger than the other.
Pubic and underarm hair Oestrogen and androgens (small amounts of which girls naturally produce) trigger hair growth in the pubic area and underarms. This is a normal and healthy part of development.
Growth spurts You may grow several centimetres in a short period of time. Your hips will widen as your pelvis prepares for adulthood. Your body shape changes — and this is supposed to happen.
Skin and sweat changes Your skin may become oilier, which can lead to spots and acne. Your sweat glands also become more active, which is why body odour becomes relevant during puberty. Washing daily and using a mild deodorant helps.
Vaginal discharge Before your first period, you may notice a small amount of white or clear fluid in your underwear. This is called vaginal discharge and is completely normal. It is your body’s way of keeping healthy.
Your first period Your first period — called menarche — usually arrives about two years after breast development begins. It signals that your uterus has begun its monthly cycle of preparing for and shedding its lining.
Understanding Your Period
Your period is a natural and healthy process. Every month, your ovaries release an egg (this is called ovulation). At the same time, the lining of your uterus thickens in preparation for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining sheds — and this is your period.
A period typically lasts 3 to 7 days. The blood you see may be bright red, dark red, or brownish — all of which are normal. You may also notice small clots, which are normal in small amounts.
In your first year or two, your periods may be irregular — coming at different times each month, or skipping months entirely. This is usually normal as your hormonal system settles into its rhythm.
Sanitary protection options include:
- Sanitary pads (the most common and accessible option in Nigeria)
- Tampons
- Menstrual cups (reusable and environmentally friendly)
Change your pad every 4 to 6 hours, or sooner if it is full.
What About Mood Changes?
You may have noticed that your emotions feel more intense during puberty — that you cry more easily, feel irritable without a clear reason, or experience sudden sadness or excitement.
This is real, and it is hormonal. Oestrogen and progesterone directly affect the brain’s chemistry, particularly the parts that regulate mood. These feelings are not permanent, and they are not a sign that something is wrong with you.
Talking to someone you trust — a parent, an older sibling, a teacher, or a friend — can help enormously. You do not have to process these changes alone.
What Is NOT Normal
While most of what happens during puberty is healthy and expected, some things are worth bringing to an adult’s attention:
- Periods that are extremely painful — pain so severe it keeps you home from school
- No period at all by age 16
- Very heavy bleeding that soaks through a pad in an hour
- Puberty signs beginning before age 8
- Extreme, persistent mood changes that feel unmanageable
None of these things are your fault. They are simply signals from your body that it may need a little extra support.
You Are Not Alone
Puberty can feel very lonely, especially if you do not have people around you who talk openly about these things. But every woman you know — your mother, your teacher, your aunt — has been through exactly what you are experiencing right now.
At the EHF Girls Nest Club, we create safe spaces where girls can ask questions, share their experiences, and get accurate information about their bodies — without embarrassment or judgment. If you would like to be part of that community, reach out to us.
Your body is not strange. It is remarkable.
This article is for educational purposes only. For personal health concerns, please speak with a trusted adult or qualified healthcare provider.
