Girls Guide to Puberty
Puberty for Girls
This Guide was made by Harley_Quinn (Siobhan) on Virtual Teen which is closing. It is really useful to know what is going to happen when puberty starts so I asked Harley_Quinn if we could post it here and she said yes.
I have had to split it into several parts or the post is too big. This is Part 1, the next parts are below this post.
Girls Guide to Puberty Part 1
------------------------------------
Puberty is often a very daunting thing, and most of the time we are never fully clued up about all the facts! Here is a guide which I have written and have got information for from various other places, I hope it helps anyone that isn't sure of puberty. This may seem a little long, but it’s all worth it.
What will be included i hear you ask, well look no further!
• Pubertyinformation
• The menstrual cycle and periods
• Breasts
• Body Hair
• Sweating
• Vaginal discharge
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Pregnancy
Puberty
When should puberty start?
Puberty in girls usually starts at any time between 8 and 13 years of age but it can vary and you shouldn’t be worried about it at all if you are a late bloomer. Everything takes time, and you have plenty of it. Periods usually start about two years after the start of puberty, but don't think because you haven't that it's a problem.
What happens during puberty?
A girl grows and changes in ways that prepare her to be able to have a baby, and well, grow up. These changes occur in certain stages. It can be in a different order, so don’t worry about that either!
• First, girls can expect to develop breasts. These start from a small and often painful lump or 'bud' underneath the nipple. Breasts can take five years to reach their final size and shape. So girls, don’t worry if your breasts don’t currently match your idol, or anyone that you think has big boobs, or someone you would like to be like.
• Hair starts to grow under the arm and in the pubic (genital) area.
• The explosive growth spurt: this is greater than any other time except the first year of life, so if you think your short, you can get taller.*
• The body shape becomes curvier. During this time it is normal to put on weight, especially at the hips and stomachs (puppy fat as it’s sometimes referred to.) so don’t go on a starvation diet.
• The body odour can change especially under the arms, and you notice increased perspiration.
• Some people get acne on the face and back.
• Vaginal discharge starts or changes.
• Teenagers experience a change in their emotions and new sexual feelings.
• Periods start.
Why do these changes occur?
Natural chemicals that circulate in the body, called sex hormones, cause these changes. At the start of puberty, the brain releases a hormone known as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This causes the release of two more hormones called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) into the bloodstream. LH and FSH in turn stimulate the ovaries, which contain your eggs, to release the hormone oestrogen that leads to the changes girls go through during puberty. You’ve probably learnt this in your science lessons!
The Menstrual Cycle and Periods
What is a period?
A period is the vaginal bleeding that women usually experience once a month, and the amount of days that you can bleed for are usually 4-7, but it all depends on your body. Periods are also referred to as Menstruation but that's just the fancy name.*
Why do women have periods?
• Periods are a part of the menstrual cycle that happens roughly every month (28 days) to prepare a woman's body to have a baby.
• Every woman has thousands of eggs in her ovaries. Once a month or so, one of these eggs matures and travels into the Fallopian tubes. These tubes move the egg along towards the uterus (the womb), in the hope of meeting a sperm and becoming fertilised to become an embryo. If fertilised, the egg then continues its way along the tube and becomes implanted (embedded) in the uterus where it develops into a foetus. In this way, the woman becomes pregnant.
• While the egg is on its travels, the uterus is being prepared for the implantation of the embryo. Its lining builds up to become cushion-like and engorged with blood. If the egg is not fertilized, the womb sheds this blood-filled lining, and this bleeding is what we call a period.
• The cycle then repeats every month or so unless the woman becomes pregnant.
What controls the menstrual cycle?
Again, hormones control the process. The menstrual cycle can be split into four stages.
• Menstrual (bleeding) phase: all the hormones are at their lowest level and consequently the womb sheds its lining and the woman has her period.
• Pre-ovulatory phase: the ovary starts to secrete oestrogen, which leads to a gradual build up of the uterus lining in preparation for ovulation.
• Ovulation: at a critical point roughly 14 days after the start of bleeding, the level of oestrogen reaches such a height that it causes the brain to release a large amount of LH, which in turn stimulates release of an egg from the ovaries.
• Post-ovulatory phase: after the release of the egg, the ovaries produce another hormone, progesterone, which maintains the lining of the womb so a fertilized egg can implant. If the egg is not fertilised, progesterone and oestrogen levels drop, the womb loses its lining, and, about 14 days after ovulation, the menstrual phase begins again.
What is the menstrual cycle like?
The average cycle is 28 days although it can be as short as 21, and as long as 35 days.
• Menstrual phase: day one of the menstrual cycle is the first day of bleeding, which can last anything from a couple of days to a week. The bleeding is heaviest on the first few days. Women use tampons that sit inside the vagina or sanitary towels (pads) outside the vagina to soak up the blood. Many women suffer from cramp-like abdominal pains. Occasionally, they also have back pain. The pain is caused by changes in local hormones called prostaglandins.
• Pre-ovulatory phase: many women feel very well during this phase, probably due to the rising levels of oestrogen.
• Ovulation: your vaginal discharge can increase and become mucus-like, which is more welcoming for sperm. At ovulation, the body temperature rises. Some women may experience sharp pain on either side of the lower abdomen. Occasionally, a few spots of blood come from the womb.
• Post-ovulatory phase: symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome occur in this phase as the hormone levels fall. When the hormones are at their lowest, just before the menstrual bleeding starts, women who are more sensitive to the changing hormone levels can experience depression, irritability, lack of concentration, tiredness, food cravings, bloating and sore, tender breasts.
What if I don't have a period by age 14?
Some girls do not get their periods until they are 16. The age of getting your period can run in the family so ask your mum and your gran when they started theirs. If you are over 16 and still have no period, you may be perfectly healthy but you should check with your GP (family doctor). Some things can delay your period:
• being underweight or very overweight
• too much exercise
• stress
• illness
• pregnancy.
What causes irregular periods?
When you first start having periods, it is normal for them to be irregular. It usually takes two years for them to become regular and for some people it is much longer. This is because at the beginning the time to ovulation varies and sometimes you might not ovulate at all.
What happens if I stop having my period?
If you have had unprotected sex, then you need to have a pregnancy test to check whether you are pregnant. You can go to your nearest family planning clinic (FPC), sexual health clinic (also known as a sexually transmitted disease or genitourinary medicine clinic), your GP, or you can buy them over the counter at the chemist. Other reasons can be losing too much weight, too much exercise, or stress. If the problem continues you should go to see your GP.
Will tampons make me lose my virginity?
Loss of virginity is when you first have sex. There is a thin membrane inside your vagina called a hymen, which tears and sometimes bleeds the first time you have sex. The hymen is usually very elastic and tampons can be inserted without tearing the hymen. However, even if using a tampon tears the hymen, this does not count as a loss of virginity as no sex is involved. Rarely, the hymen can tear when bicycle riding, horse riding, climbing fences or anything for that matter but this does not mean you have lost your virginity.
Can tampons get lost inside me?
No. Tampons lie in the vagina. The neck of the womb (cervix) lies at the top of the vagina and it is tightly closed except for a tiny hole about the size of a pinhead. A tampon cannot move into the womb and has no other way out except the way it went in. Sometimes a tampon can be at the top of the vagina behind the cervix and then it can be difficult to feel or pull out. If you suspect that you have left a tampon in, especially if you notice an unpleasant smelling discharge, then go to your GP or sexual health clinic to have it removed without delay.
Can I swim or have sex during my period?
Yes. You should be able to have a completely normal life during your period. Remember that you can get pregnant if you have unprotected sex during your period.
Is period blood dirty?
No. It is just normal blood mixed with the lining of your uterus. If it were dirty then it would not be a suitable place for the baby to develop. Once the blood leaves the womb it can become food for bacteria so you need to change tampons and sanitary towels regularly and discard them in a suitable waste disposal place.
(part 2 in next post)
Puberty for Girls
This Guide was made by Harley_Quinn (Siobhan) on Virtual Teen which is closing. It is really useful to know what is going to happen when puberty starts so I asked Harley_Quinn if we could post it here and she said yes.
I have had to split it into several parts or the post is too big. This is Part 1, the next parts are below this post.
Girls Guide to Puberty Part 1
------------------------------------
Puberty is often a very daunting thing, and most of the time we are never fully clued up about all the facts! Here is a guide which I have written and have got information for from various other places, I hope it helps anyone that isn't sure of puberty. This may seem a little long, but it’s all worth it.
What will be included i hear you ask, well look no further!
• Pubertyinformation
• The menstrual cycle and periods
• Breasts
• Body Hair
• Sweating
• Vaginal discharge
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Pregnancy
Puberty
When should puberty start?
Puberty in girls usually starts at any time between 8 and 13 years of age but it can vary and you shouldn’t be worried about it at all if you are a late bloomer. Everything takes time, and you have plenty of it. Periods usually start about two years after the start of puberty, but don't think because you haven't that it's a problem.
What happens during puberty?
A girl grows and changes in ways that prepare her to be able to have a baby, and well, grow up. These changes occur in certain stages. It can be in a different order, so don’t worry about that either!
• First, girls can expect to develop breasts. These start from a small and often painful lump or 'bud' underneath the nipple. Breasts can take five years to reach their final size and shape. So girls, don’t worry if your breasts don’t currently match your idol, or anyone that you think has big boobs, or someone you would like to be like.
• Hair starts to grow under the arm and in the pubic (genital) area.
• The explosive growth spurt: this is greater than any other time except the first year of life, so if you think your short, you can get taller.*
• The body shape becomes curvier. During this time it is normal to put on weight, especially at the hips and stomachs (puppy fat as it’s sometimes referred to.) so don’t go on a starvation diet.
• The body odour can change especially under the arms, and you notice increased perspiration.
• Some people get acne on the face and back.
• Vaginal discharge starts or changes.
• Teenagers experience a change in their emotions and new sexual feelings.
• Periods start.
Why do these changes occur?
Natural chemicals that circulate in the body, called sex hormones, cause these changes. At the start of puberty, the brain releases a hormone known as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This causes the release of two more hormones called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) into the bloodstream. LH and FSH in turn stimulate the ovaries, which contain your eggs, to release the hormone oestrogen that leads to the changes girls go through during puberty. You’ve probably learnt this in your science lessons!
The Menstrual Cycle and Periods
What is a period?
A period is the vaginal bleeding that women usually experience once a month, and the amount of days that you can bleed for are usually 4-7, but it all depends on your body. Periods are also referred to as Menstruation but that's just the fancy name.*
Why do women have periods?
• Periods are a part of the menstrual cycle that happens roughly every month (28 days) to prepare a woman's body to have a baby.
• Every woman has thousands of eggs in her ovaries. Once a month or so, one of these eggs matures and travels into the Fallopian tubes. These tubes move the egg along towards the uterus (the womb), in the hope of meeting a sperm and becoming fertilised to become an embryo. If fertilised, the egg then continues its way along the tube and becomes implanted (embedded) in the uterus where it develops into a foetus. In this way, the woman becomes pregnant.
• While the egg is on its travels, the uterus is being prepared for the implantation of the embryo. Its lining builds up to become cushion-like and engorged with blood. If the egg is not fertilized, the womb sheds this blood-filled lining, and this bleeding is what we call a period.
• The cycle then repeats every month or so unless the woman becomes pregnant.
What controls the menstrual cycle?
Again, hormones control the process. The menstrual cycle can be split into four stages.
• Menstrual (bleeding) phase: all the hormones are at their lowest level and consequently the womb sheds its lining and the woman has her period.
• Pre-ovulatory phase: the ovary starts to secrete oestrogen, which leads to a gradual build up of the uterus lining in preparation for ovulation.
• Ovulation: at a critical point roughly 14 days after the start of bleeding, the level of oestrogen reaches such a height that it causes the brain to release a large amount of LH, which in turn stimulates release of an egg from the ovaries.
• Post-ovulatory phase: after the release of the egg, the ovaries produce another hormone, progesterone, which maintains the lining of the womb so a fertilized egg can implant. If the egg is not fertilised, progesterone and oestrogen levels drop, the womb loses its lining, and, about 14 days after ovulation, the menstrual phase begins again.
What is the menstrual cycle like?
The average cycle is 28 days although it can be as short as 21, and as long as 35 days.
• Menstrual phase: day one of the menstrual cycle is the first day of bleeding, which can last anything from a couple of days to a week. The bleeding is heaviest on the first few days. Women use tampons that sit inside the vagina or sanitary towels (pads) outside the vagina to soak up the blood. Many women suffer from cramp-like abdominal pains. Occasionally, they also have back pain. The pain is caused by changes in local hormones called prostaglandins.
• Pre-ovulatory phase: many women feel very well during this phase, probably due to the rising levels of oestrogen.
• Ovulation: your vaginal discharge can increase and become mucus-like, which is more welcoming for sperm. At ovulation, the body temperature rises. Some women may experience sharp pain on either side of the lower abdomen. Occasionally, a few spots of blood come from the womb.
• Post-ovulatory phase: symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome occur in this phase as the hormone levels fall. When the hormones are at their lowest, just before the menstrual bleeding starts, women who are more sensitive to the changing hormone levels can experience depression, irritability, lack of concentration, tiredness, food cravings, bloating and sore, tender breasts.
What if I don't have a period by age 14?
Some girls do not get their periods until they are 16. The age of getting your period can run in the family so ask your mum and your gran when they started theirs. If you are over 16 and still have no period, you may be perfectly healthy but you should check with your GP (family doctor). Some things can delay your period:
• being underweight or very overweight
• too much exercise
• stress
• illness
• pregnancy.
What causes irregular periods?
When you first start having periods, it is normal for them to be irregular. It usually takes two years for them to become regular and for some people it is much longer. This is because at the beginning the time to ovulation varies and sometimes you might not ovulate at all.
What happens if I stop having my period?
If you have had unprotected sex, then you need to have a pregnancy test to check whether you are pregnant. You can go to your nearest family planning clinic (FPC), sexual health clinic (also known as a sexually transmitted disease or genitourinary medicine clinic), your GP, or you can buy them over the counter at the chemist. Other reasons can be losing too much weight, too much exercise, or stress. If the problem continues you should go to see your GP.
Will tampons make me lose my virginity?
Loss of virginity is when you first have sex. There is a thin membrane inside your vagina called a hymen, which tears and sometimes bleeds the first time you have sex. The hymen is usually very elastic and tampons can be inserted without tearing the hymen. However, even if using a tampon tears the hymen, this does not count as a loss of virginity as no sex is involved. Rarely, the hymen can tear when bicycle riding, horse riding, climbing fences or anything for that matter but this does not mean you have lost your virginity.
Can tampons get lost inside me?
No. Tampons lie in the vagina. The neck of the womb (cervix) lies at the top of the vagina and it is tightly closed except for a tiny hole about the size of a pinhead. A tampon cannot move into the womb and has no other way out except the way it went in. Sometimes a tampon can be at the top of the vagina behind the cervix and then it can be difficult to feel or pull out. If you suspect that you have left a tampon in, especially if you notice an unpleasant smelling discharge, then go to your GP or sexual health clinic to have it removed without delay.
Can I swim or have sex during my period?
Yes. You should be able to have a completely normal life during your period. Remember that you can get pregnant if you have unprotected sex during your period.
Is period blood dirty?
No. It is just normal blood mixed with the lining of your uterus. If it were dirty then it would not be a suitable place for the baby to develop. Once the blood leaves the womb it can become food for bacteria so you need to change tampons and sanitary towels regularly and discard them in a suitable waste disposal place.
(part 2 in next post)