Frequently asked questions

Puberty

What is Puberty?

Puberty is a time of sexual growth and development that everyone goes through. It is natural and normal phase in life which is an important step towards becoming an adult. It is a time when your body starts to change and you begin to look more like a grown-up. Boys will soon start to look like young men and girls start to look more womanly.

When will I start puberty?

Everyone is different and has a different way that their body mechanisms work. It usually starts in boys between the ages of 10-14 and it is not necessary that you and your friends start it at the same time.

What causes puberty?

Puberty begins when our body starts to generate chemicals that are also called sex hormones. This flood of hormones causes the changes you notice during puberty. In boys, the main sex hormone is testosterone. This hormone is made in your testicles that are inside the loose sac under your penis. Testosterone helps fuel puberty. Your testicles also produce sperm cells, the cells that make it possible to get a girl pregnant.

What happens during puberty?

The changes that occur in puberty happen in boys over a period of several years. Here are some of the changes you can expect — and the average age when they happen. But remember, these are just average ages. The exact schedule you follow may be different than it is for other boys you know.

  1. Testicles start to grow, usually between the ages of 11 and 12.
  2. Pubic hair — the hair around your penis and testicles — often starts to appear when a boy is 12.
  3. The penis starts to grow in size often around age of 13.
  4. Also around age 13, you may notice a temporary growth in the size of your breasts.
  5. A boy’s voice starts “cracking” around the age of 13.
  6. You may have a growth spurt at about 13 1/2.
  7. When you’re 14, you may notice hair growing in your armpits.
  8. Also at age 14, boys often start having wet dreams. That’s when semen comes out of your penis while you sleep.
  9. The average age for a boy to get his “adult” voice is 15.
  10. At 15, you may notice you are getting a mustache.
  11. By age 16, you may notice that your beard has started to grow.

What are the first signs of puberty?

The first thing you will probably notice is that your testicles are getting bigger. The next thing you’re likely to notice is that your penis has started to grow and get longer. It may also get hard when you touch it or rub against something. This is called an erection.

Sometimes you can get an erection when you think of something that’s sexually exciting. It can also happen for no reason at all. Your penis and testicles will continue to grow until you get to the end of puberty.

Why do boys smell different while going through puberty?

Increased hormones cause you to sweat a lot more. This can make your body smell different, especially under the arms or between your legs. Body odor starts early in puberty. Using an antiperspirant/deodorant can help control sweat and stinky odors. Try using an antibacterial soap when you take a bath or shower. This can help prevent bacteria that can lead to body odor.

When will my voice change?

The hormones in puberty will cause your vocal cords to get thicker and longer. One day, your high-pitched voice will suddenly “crack.” This is normal and will eventually stop. When it does, your voice will be deeper, and it will stay that way. Your voice won’t change, though, until you are almost done with puberty.

When will I grow body hair?

You’ll see hair first between your legs near your private parts. This is called the pubic area. Soon, you’ll spot hair on your legs, underarms, and chest. As you continue through puberty, this hair will get thicker and curlier. If you still have baby-smooth skin on your face, don’t worry. Facial hair grows later on in puberty.

Why does boy’s face break out during puberty?

The flood of hormones released by your body during puberty can make you sweat — a lot. Puberty also makes the oil glands in your skin more active. Together, these two things can trigger pimples and zits. Your doctor calls this “acne.” Keeping your face and body clean can help. But if your acne is very bad, ask your mom or dad to make a doctor’s appointment for you. Sometimes, medicine can help clear up severe acne and prevent scarring.

What is acne (pimples)? Why does it occur?

Acne is a skin condition characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples. Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin called pores become clogged. Normally, the oil glands help keep the skin lubricated and help remove old skin cells. During adolescence the glands produce too much oil; the pores become blocked, accumulating dirt, debris, and bacteria resulting in production of blackheads and pimples.

How can the effects of acne be lessened?

Acne is a normal physiological process. Almost every adolescent boy or girl develop it. You can take the following self-care steps to lessen the effects of acne:

  • Clean your skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap.
  • Remove all dirt or make-up. Wash once or twice a day with fresh water, including after exercising. However, avoid excessive or repeated skin washing.
  • Shampoo your every two days and comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face. Avoid tight headbands.
  • Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the pimples. Although it might be tempting to do this, it can lead to scarring and skin infections.
  • Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers.
  • Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams.
  • If the pimples are still a problem, visit a doctor who can prescribe medications and discuss other options with you.

Penis

What is the average penis size?

While penises come in various sizes and colors, studies have shown that the average penis size ranges from around 12.7 to 17.8 cm long when erect, with an average girth of about 4.7 to 5.1 inches.

Can short penis give sexual satisfaction like normal sized penis?

Yes, short penis can give sexual satisfaction like normal sized penis. There is no effect in your sexual and reproductive life that is caused by short sized penis.

Why do some boys have larger penis than others?

Some people are huge, some are short, some slim and some obese- if there are different kinds and types of people on earth, how can all penises be of the same kind? Small penis is not a concern as far as you get an erection and women’s magical spot; the ‘G-Spot’ is only 2 inches from the opening of the vagina. So, the size of the penis does not matter, but the way you perform the sexual encounter matters. Don’t panic.

When does the penis grow?

Your penis grows longer and wider during puberty. That’s the time that major changes occur in the body that make you look more like a man and less like a child. Most guys start puberty between ages 10 and 14.

But, puberty happens at different times for everyone. You may have a penis that’s grown to its full size as early as age 13 or as late as age 18.

When does a penis stop growing?

Your penis stops growing when you finish puberty. Exactly when that happens, though, varies from person to person. Everyone develops at a different pace. You may take longer than your friends or less time than them to finish puberty. But by 16, your body and its parts should be close to your adult size.

Is my penis size normal?

There is no such thing as a “normal” penis size. The size of your penis depends on your genes, just like the size of your hands, feet, and eye color. Keep in mind, penis size has nothing to do with manliness or sexual ability.

Can I change my penis size?

No. You can’t change the size of your penis. Despite what you may hear, no exercises, vitamins, or diets can change the size of your penis or make it grow faster.

What is a morning erection?

An erection is when your penis fills with blood and becomes hard. A morning erection is an erection you wake up with in the morning. Morning erections are very common. In fact, most guys have about three to five erections each night while they sleep. They just don’t know it.

Wet Dreams

What are wet dreams?

A wet dream is when you ejaculate while you’re asleep. Ejaculate means to release semen (the fluid that contains sperm) from your penis. Usually a wet dream happens while you’re having a dream about sex. It is not necessary that you remember the dream. You don’t have to masturbate to have a wet dream and can ejaculate without touching your penis.

What causes wet dreams?

When you go through puberty, your body starts producing the male hormone testosterone. Once your body makes testosterone, it can release sperm. This means you’ll be able to fertilize an egg if you decide to have a baby in the future. It also means you can get a girl pregnant if you have sex.

During puberty, you’ll start having erections at all different times of the day — in school, while you watch TV, in the shower. You can even have an erection while you sleep. Semen builds up inside your body and wet dreams are a way of releasing them while you are asleep.

Is there something wrong with me because I’m having frequent wet dreams?

Wet dreams are a normal part of growing up. There’s nothing you can do to control or stop wet dreams. Even if you have a lot of wet dreams it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Some guys have wet dreams a few times a week. Others may only have a couple of wet dreams during their entire life. Once you start releasing sperm by masturbating or having sex with a partner, you may have fewer wet dreams.

Does everyone have wet dreams?

You have to go through puberty and your testes need to be able to produce sperm to have a wet dream. Wet dreams during puberty are very common.

Is there something wrong with me if I don’t have wet dreams?

Not every teenage boy has wet dreams. The fact you don’t have wet dreams doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.

Do girls have wet dreams?

Although girls can’t ejaculate, they can have an orgasm during a dream. Girls don’t have such dreams as often as boys, though.

What should I do if I have a wet dream?

When you wake up, you clean yourself. Wash your penis and testicles with soap and water, including the area underneath your foreskin if you aren’t circumcised. If you feel guilty or uncomfortable about having wet dreams — or about a certain wet dream that you had — talk to someone. Sit down with a doctor, parent, counselor, or another adult you trust.

Masturbation

What are the benefits of masturbation?

Masturbation is one of the best safer sex techniques: a way of pleasuring yourself that carries with it no risks of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections, or pregnancy. Sex therapists believe that if you are able to have a healthy sexual relationship with your own body, chances are that you will enjoy sex with another person more.

Is masturbation harmful?

No, masturbation is not harmful!

Is masturbating like sex?

Self pleasuring is a form of sexual expression and masturbation can be considered as a type of sex. However, it is safe sex since you cannot get a girl pregnant or contract STDs while masturbating.

Will masturbation result in loss of semen and affect my ability to have children?

Semen contains sperm, seminal fluid and prostaglandins. The testes produce sperm regularly, and so masturbation does not affect the sperm production. Masturbation is an enjoyable and harmless activity and does not cause loss of semen. Therefore it does not affect the ability to have children.

What happens when I masturbate?

When you masturbate, you release sexual tension which is called ‘ejaculation’. Ejaculation is the release of semen from the penis which is made up of fluid and sperm. It is not necessary for you to ejaculate every time you masturbate.

Can masturbation hurt me?

Masturbation will not harm your body and no one will know that you’re doing it unless you tell them. About the only risk to masturbation is that it might irritate the skin of your penis. You can reduce that risk by using a lubricant such as lotion or K-Y Jelly.

Is it bad or dirty to masturbate?

Masturbation is not bad or dirty. It is a normal part of your sexuality. You should not feel guilty about masturbating. Feeling guilty about masturbation can make you think badly about yourself which can be unhealthy.

Is it ok not to masturbate?

Whether or not to masturbate is up to you. There is nothing wrong with choosing to do it or not to do it.

Can I catch an STD if I masturbate?

You can’t catch a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from masturbating. You do not lose your virginity by masturbating.

Can I masturbate too much?

How often you masturbate is up to you. When masturbation starts to take over your life, then it could be a problem. If you’d rather hang out at home alone and masturbate than be with your friends, then you may want to talk to a counselor for help. Call our Meri Saathi Free helpline to know more about this.

Menstruation

What is menstruation?

The ovaries of a girl who is between the ages of 10-15 years start producing a mature egg or ovum each month. The egg travels down a tube which connects ovary to the womb. When the egg reaches the womb, the lining becomes thick to produce a baby. If the egg does not meet with sperm from a male and it is not fertilized, it dissolves. The thickened lining sloughs off and forms menstrual blood flow, which passes out of the body through the vagina.

What is the normal frequency of menstrual cycles?

Menstrual cycle occurs once every month, at a frequency of every 28 to 32 days. They can be slightly more or less in duration or frequency and is considered normal if it is happening on regular basis.

Is it true that using a tampon could tear the hymen? Would that mean that I am no longer virgin?

The hymen is a thin and highly elastic membrane present in the vagina. Using a tampon does not tear the hymen, as it is elastic. The hymen may however break or stretch during the course of running, cycling or exercising, at any point in life. So, the presence or absence of an intact hymen does not indicate whether or not a woman has had sex. There is no ‘proof of virginity’ for either a woman or a man.

How can hygiene be maintained during periods?

Once a girl begins menstruating, she’ll need to use clean washed clothes, sanitary napkin or pad something to soak up the menstrual blood. Pads are made of layers of cotton or clothes. Some pads have extra material on the sides (called “wings”) that fold over the edges of underwear to better hold the pad in place and prevent leakage. Women should take daily bath, and keep hygiene of private parts.

How frequently should a pad be changed?

It is best to change a pad every 3 to 4 hours, even when you’re not menstruating very much. Regular changing prevents build-up of bacteria and eliminates odour. Naturally, if your period is heavy, you should change pads more often because they may get saturated more quickly.

 Is passage of thick blood during menstruation normal?

Initial discharge during menstruation is thick dark blood. It is followed by fresh blood flow for a period of 3-4 days to a maximum of 7 days. This is normal. Only if there is a history of passage of clots than one should be concerned.

What is a painful menstrual period?

Painful menstrual period is a fairly common thing. It is by cramps that happen in the lower abdominal which causes pain. A woman may feel sharp pain that comes and goes, or have dull, aching pain. Painful menstrual periods may also cause back pain. The pain may begin several days before or just at the start of your period. It generally subsides as menstrual bleeding tapers off..

Pregnancy

I have had sex once with my boyfriend? Can I get pregnant?

Yes, a single sexual contact can lead to pregnancy or infections like HIV (which leads to AIDS), and STIs (sexually transmitted infections), even if it is the first time for either or both the partners. A girl can get pregnant even at the time of first intercourse because getting pregnant is dependent on whether or not an egg has been released in her body (ovulation).

Can a woman get pregnant from pre-cum or if a man ejaculates near her vagina?

Yes, a woman can get pregnant anytime sperm enters the vulva or is inside the vagina. This means that ejaculation near the vagina can also lead to pregnancy.

How can I protect myself from pregnancy and infection?

Regular condom usage provides protection from both pregnancy and infection. Washing, douching, urinating immediately after sex, using special positions, antiseptics, creams etc, DO NOT prevent pregnancy or infection.

Sex during pregnancy. Is this ok?

Though penile-vaginal intercourse is sometimes not advisable in the first three and the last two months of a pregnancy, pleasure can be given and received through activities other than intercourse. It is important for any sexual activity to be consensual and also that care be taken. Unless there are clear instructions from the doctor to abstain as in the case of a difficult pregnancy, there is no reason a couple cannot be sexually active throughout the woman’s pregnancy. Activities like mutual masturbation and oral sex can be engaged until the end of term.

What is the G- Spot?

About a third of the way up from the vaginal opening, on the anterior (front) wall of the vagina (the side toward your abdomen), is an area known as the G-spot. Many women experience intensely pleasurable sensations when this area is stimulated. There are differences of opinion over whether the G-spot is a distinct anatomical structure or whether the pleasure felt when the area is stimulated is due to its closeness to the bulbs of the clitoris.

If you have more queries, call Meri Saathi! She is not far, just a phone call away!

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