Your body is changing. You're dealing with new feelings. Now is the time for you to look at how you feel about yourself, other people, problems, life and love. You're also starting to notice your own sexual feelings.

Your Sexuality
Part of your sexuality is what sex you are — male or female. It's also the way you look, feel and act.

Physical Changes
Sometime between the ages of 9 and 16, your body starts to change. This time of change is called puberty. Puberty is the time when your body develops so you can reproduce.

Girls' bodies change a lot during puberty:

• Their breasts grow.
• Their hips may get bigger.
• They may gain weight.
• They grow hair under the arms and around the genitals.

Boys' bodies also change a lot during puberty. These changes usually start around ages 12 to 14:

• Their penis and testes get bigger.
• The hair on their bodies grows thicker.
• They start to grow hair on their faces, under arms, and around the genitals.
• Their voices get deeper.
• The testes start to make sperm.

Emotional Changes
During your teen years, the hormones that cause the sex organs to grow and function also cause strong sexual feelings.

Sex and Reproduction
During sexual intercourse, the erect penis goes into the vagina and moves in and out. This moving in and out of the penis can lead to orgasm.

When a boy has an orgasm he ejaculates semen. If the couple isn't using any birth control, the girl can become pregnant.

The only way not to get pregnant is to not have sex. If you do have sex, use birth control every time.

Making a Decision
Ask yourself what your feelings are about sex. Are you really ready for sex? If you are dating, do you know how the other person feels about sex? Make up your own mind about when is the right time to have sex.

If you are not ready for sex, say so, and stick to your decision. It's okay to say "no."

If someone tries to pressure you into having sex, it's important to learn how to say no.

Relationships
Real friendship (not just popularity) is very important to teens. Being accepted is a large part of friendship.

Homosexuality
Many teenagers go through a stage where they wonder, "Am I gay?" Many boys and girls are attracted to members of their own sex during puberty.

If you think you may be gay and feel confused or unhappy, talk to someone you can trust. A school counselor, an older friend or relative, or someone at church may help you sort out your feelings.

Finally ...
 

Being a teenager can be both exciting and confusing. You face many decisions. To be sure you make the right ones, talk with someone you trust. Being well informed can help you make good choices as you deal with your new?found sexuality.

This excerpt from ACOG's Patient Education Pamphlet is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, have any questions, or wish to receive the full text of this Patient Education Pamphlet, please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.