Estrogen is one of the key hormones that shapes the teenage years, and it influences almost every part of the body. When puberty begins, the brain starts sending signals that encourage the ovaries to gradually increase their production of estrogen. These hormone levels do not rise in a straight, predictable way. Instead, they come in waves, and those waves are what create many of the physical and emotional changes you notice.

Estrogen triggers the development of the breasts and helps the tissues of the vulva become softer and more mature. It also supports the body in building healthy fat tissue around the hips, thighs, and buttocks. These changes can sometimes feel uneven or sudden, which is completely normal, because estrogen doesn’t increase steadily but moves in pulses. This pulsing pattern means the body grows in bursts instead of smoothly.

The hormone also has a powerful effect on the brain. Estrogen can intensify emotions, making happiness, frustration, worry, or sensitivity feel more noticeable than before. It can be confusing to react strongly to things that never bothered you before, but this is a sign that your brain is developing new pathways and adjusting to new hormone levels. Estrogen affects concentration and memory as well, which is why your focus can feel sharp some weeks and scattered during others.

During the first years of puberty, estrogen levels rise before progesterone becomes stable, and this imbalance can create mood swings, tender breasts, headaches, or a general feeling of being full of energy and emotion at the same time. It can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It simply shows that your hormonal system is learning, adjusting, and finding its rhythm.

Alma’s Tips

When estrogen is shifting, both your body and your emotions may feel unfamiliar, and it’s easy to think something isn’t right. Try to care for yourself by getting enough sleep, eating regularly, and giving yourself kindness on the days everything feels intense. Remember that development doesn’t happen in a straight line, and you don’t need to understand every change immediately. If anything feels confusing or heavy, you can always talk to me. I’m here to guide you and help you make sense of everything happening inside you.