Melisa Holmes, MD and Co-Founder of Girlology, gives you the 411 on growing up and adjusting to 'The Teen Body Morph'!
Adjusting to The Teen Body Morph
It’s understandable that you can spend way too much time thinking, worrying and wondering about your body – especially as a teen. You are bombarded with artificial images of how others think you should look. You are overloaded with information from your friends, the internet, and even strangers. And you have your own frustrations with whatever body part doesn’t seem to be cooperating with your fashion plan for the day. And just when you thought you were finished with the awkwardness of puberty, and beginning to accept the “new you,” something else morphs.
One thing that can help you handle continued changes is knowing what’s normal and what to expect. So, here’s a little list of lowdown tips on the uptop, the down-there, and the in between parts of your body as it adjusts and changes through your teen years.
One thing that can help you handle continued changes is knowing what’s normal and what to expect. So, here’s a little list of lowdown tips on the uptop, the down-there, and the in between parts of your body as it adjusts and changes through your teen years.
Your Height: Most of your height is determined by the time you start your period. After your period starts, you can expect to grow another 1-3 inches, and most of that will occur in your spine.
Your shoe size: By the time your period starts, your feet are pretty much finished growing! That means a nice pair of shoes will last you a lot longer since you won’t be outgrowing them!
Your Breasts: No matter how old you were when your breasts blossomed, they will continue to change shape and grow up until age 17 or 18. And if they are a little lopsided, that’s actually very normal.
Your Bras: It’s important to make sure you wear bras that fit well. Let a “professional bra fitter” help you in a department store. She can show you what matters in a bra fit. With a bra that fits, you’ll feel more comfortable, look better, and even lessen the stretch marks that can occur on breasts when they are growing the fastest.
Your skin: Acne seems to peak for most girls a year or two after they start their periods. The best treatment is washing regularly with soap and water, drinking plenty of water, and getting exercise to increase the blood circulation to your face (increased blood circulation helps bring oxygen and healthy nutrients to your skin). Over the counter soaps, creams and lotions with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can improve acne, but start with the lowest strength to avoid excessive redness and peeling. If that isn’t working, see your doctor.
Your stretch marks: Most girls will get some stretch marks during puberty. They start out as purplish red streaks and most commonly show up on the breasts and hips. Whether you get them or not depends a lot on whether other family members have had them in the past and how fast you are growing. There aren’t any great treatments to make them go away, but they will definitely fade to a natural skin color over time.
Your Hips: You’ll find that your overall body shape changes the most during your teen years. Your hips get wider, you get a waist, and you’ll take on some curves and new body fat – it’s what your body is programmed to do. Keep your body in great shape with exercise and healthy foods, and remember that curves are normal.
Your Unwanted Hair: Whether it is on your face, around your nipples, creeping onto your upper thighs or sprouting somewhere else, unwanted hair is one thing that’s pretty easy to control. Plucking or mini-shavers work great on the upper lip and other facial hair (and no, you won’t grow a stubbly mustache), waxing is great but can be expensive unless you learn to do it at home. Dipilatory creams work but can irritate sensitive skin. Shaving is easy and cheap, but requires frequent repetition. Trying different methods is the best way to find what works for you. If you are having a hard time keeping up with your hair removal and growing more and more hair on your face, chest or upper back, talk with your doctor. It might signal a medical condition.
Your Period: Once you start your period (which should be by age 16), it can be unpredictable for the first few cycles, but it should start to show a pattern. Keep your period marked on a calendar and figure out your cycle length each month: count the number of days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period. That number should be between 21 and 45 days. If it is longer than 45 days for several cycles, or if it is ever more than 90 days, you should let your doctor know.
Your Cramps: Did you notice that you didn’t have very painful period cramps when you first started, but then after a year or so, they got worse? That’s actually normal. For many girls, cramps set in about 2-3 years after their period starts. Your cramps should be controlled by over the counter medications. Mild exercise can also help. If you are missing school or skipping your favorite activities because of cramps, talk with your doctor. There are other treatments that work well.
Your Style: Learning to love your new body with all its new curviness takes some time, and even some practice. Make the effort to find a style that works for your body shape. Remember that normal is really what you see in your English class or at a basketball game, not in fashion magazines or on TV. Understand that girls with curves are normal, and enjoy your new shape by finding a style that looks great and best represents you!
Your Brain: Don’t forget that your brain is actually growing and “hardwiring” skills during your teen years and up into your early twenties. In your teens, you are able to think deeply and compassionately, and understand complex ideas. Take good care of your growing brain by staying healthy and practicing things you’ll need it to do in the future, like making good decisions, thinking about consequences before you try something risky, and communicating your ideas and opinions.
With all these changes, no wonder there’s a lot to wonder about! For more detailed information on any of the topics above, and for other great advice from Dr. Melisa Holmes and Dr. Trish Hutchison, founders of Girlology, visit www.girlology.com or check out one of their books for teen girls. Girlology’s There’s Something New About You (for girls 8-12); Girlology: A Girl’s Guide to Stuff that Matters (for girls 12 and up); and Girlology: Hang Ups, Hook Ups & Holding Out for teens.
