• What would be girls’
physical changes?
Body shape and size:
During puberty you will see your body changing from that of
a young girl to that of a woman. Body shape and size can change
and this does not always happen simultaneously. Your Extremities
might grow before the rest of your body catches up. This is
normal and soon the changes will be more proportionate. An
increase in body fat can be noticed; some areas of your body
will build more fat than others. Hips will become wider and
the waist can become smaller. This paves the way for your
body to take on curvier and more womanly characteristics.
Following
are some of the other changes your body will go through
during puberty:
Breasts:
Breast growth
is one of the first and most important signs of puberty.
This again is where hormones
play an important role, breast development happens due to
the increased production of estrogen.
This development takes a few years and starts with small
bumps that you can feel under your nipples. In rare cases
it might happen that not both breasts grow at the same time
or rate. They will eventually take the same shape or size
by the time they are fully developed.
With your breasts developing an additional accessory will
be added to your attire; that’s the bra.
This could be an exciting time for some girls and it might
be embarrassing for some as it is one of the first signs
of becoming a woman. Some people might make remarks about
your first bra; remember that this is not meant to embarrass
you. They are probably proud of how much you have grown.
Always feel proud of your growth and development even if
your peers have not yet caught up with you yet. And remember
that this physical development is unique to your own body
and not everyone goes through it at the same time.
Hair:
Hair growth is another significant sign of puberty.
This will happen on different parts of the body. Soft hair
will start to grow in the pubic
area, it is called pubic hair and with time it will change
in texture and consistency to become thicker and curlier.
Soft hair will grow also under your arms and on your legs.
This should not cause any embarrassment, as many options
are available to deal with hair growth in these areas of
your body.
Some women shave and some use wax. Others may resort to
laser hair removal. Whatever option you choose it would
be good to speak to your mother or an older female relative
you trust for their advice. You could also get professional
advice from you school doctor or nurse.
Shaving can be an immediate solution but it is not necessarily
a long –term one. Shaving will need to be done more
frequently than waxing, as hair re-growth happens faster.
If you decide to use razors you have to make sure that you
do not share anybody’s razor and that you use razors
made for women. Also use a lot of soap and water if shaving
cream is not available and make sure you keep your razor
clean.
•
Caring
for the Skin:
Acne:
Those puberty
hormones are
at it again! In the case of skin their effect can be somewhat
unpleasant. Increased hormone activity during puberty causes
changes to your skin by increasing the production of sebum.
Sebum is oil produced by glands known as sebaceous
glands found in the hair follicles.
Sebum is produced mainly to lubricate the skin and keep
it soft. During puberty and the hormonal changes associated
with it, skin can be become oilier and sebum production
is increased this can result in clogging pores and thus
forming pimples. Acne
cases can be mild or severe, and they can be exacerbated
by different factors; heredity, oily skin, hormones, allergies,
stress, menstrual cycle
and nutritional deficiencies. Dirt and pollution can also
contribute to acne. There are many measures to keep acne
under control. It is important not to aggravate acne by
constantly touching your pimples or trying to squeeze them.
This will cause increased inflammation of the skin and lead
to a serious infection. This aggravation of the skin will
also cause you to have scars, which will be more difficult
to get rid of than your pimples. Keeping your skin clean
and using oil-free wash products will contribute greatly
in fighting acne and maintaining clear skin. In case regular
measures you are taking at home don’t seem to be enough
to control your acne you should consult a skin doctor (dermatologist).
A dermatologist will give you specialized advice and treatment
suitable for your condition and skin type.
To
counter the factors that exacerbate acne you could:
-
Keep your skin clean, dust and pollution can aggravate clogged
pores.
- Use wash products suitable for your skin type, consult
your pharmacist or dermatologist.
- Control stress by exercising and practicing sports.
- Make sure you follow a healthy diet, balanced nutrition
is vital for healthy skin.
- Drink lots of water.
- Consult a specialist: a dermatologist.
Sweating:
Skin is the biggest organ of the human body. Skin needs
to breathe too. Sweating (also referred to as transpiration
or perspiration)
is part of the body’s cooling mechanism. Sweat itself
does not smell; it is the bacteria on the skin that causes
the bad smell. During puberty
and due to the hormonal
upheaval you will be sweating more than usual. The best
way to control this situation is to keep your body clean,
by showering everyday and wearing clean clothes, socks and
underwear.
Clothes made of cotton absorb sweat better.
If you are worried about the way your underarms smell you
could resort to the use of deodorants or antiperspirant.
They come in many forms and scents, they come in roll-on,
gels, sprays or creams and they can be bought from supermarkets.
Recent research has shown that deodorant sprays may increase
the possibility and likelihood of breast cancer as they
release chemicals that may be cancerous.
Deodorant sprays contain chlorofluoro
carbon particles otherwise known as CFC that
is harmful to the ozone layer and not recommended by environmental
groups. Antiperspirants can cause harm on the long run as
they tend to stop perspiration that is needed by the body
to release toxins and as we said before it is the skin's
way of breathing. The use of products that do not belong
to either of these types is therefore recommended.
Personal hygiene (daily showering and washing) is your best
bet to control the problem of sweating and the odors associated
with it. In summer time you may consider showering.
•
Menstruation:
What is it?
This is one of the most definite signs that you are approaching
womanhood and it is a very normal process that all females
normally go through. Your menstrual
cycle or your ‘period’
can happen anywhere between the ages of 10 and 16.
It is different for every young woman, but it should be a
positive thing because becoming a woman is something to be
proud of, as women are really cool people. A woman’s
body is a magnificent example of the wonders of nature.
And it is a sign that your body is functioning properly in
its advance through puberty. Again hormones play a big role
in regulating this rather complex but yet very interesting
happening. The hormones released by the brain stimulate the
production of estrogen
and progesterone
in the ovaries
so that a woman can get pregnant when she chooses to.
How
does it happen?
The ovaries
begin to release eggs every month, usually it is a cycle
of 28 days though for the first couple of years this cycle
might not be so regular and can cause infrequent, frequent
or irregular menstruation it will take time for the body
to regulate.
When the ovaries release these eggs they go through the
fallopian tubes
on their way to the uterus. The uterus
in the meantime prepares for the arrival of the egg by increasing
the cushioning of its walls through a build up of tissue
and cells. This is called ovulation.
If the egg is not fertilized,
i.e. it does not meet with a sperm from a man, and then
these tissues and cells are not needed inside your body.
This intelligent body rids itself of the extra tissues and
cells by discharging them in the vagina. Some of the cells
that are discharged are blood cells and these give the discharge
a red or brown color, therefore you have your menstrual
cycle. Your life doesn’t have to change when you start
getting your period; you will eventually learn to live with
this process as a normal part of your life.
How
long will it last?
As we said before, the first couple of years as
you start getting your period, the cycles may not be very
precise. You might experience menstruation twice a month
or you might at times skip a month altogether. (The latter
is more likely when you are under stress or pressure.)
Your period may last between 3 or 4 days sometimes up to
a week is normal. This can vary from one woman to another.
What
are the symptoms:
Menstruation
affects women differently, there are many physical and emotional
aspects tied to it. Not all women feel the same way when
they have their period, some might experience more acute
symptoms than others. These changes in their combination
are referred to as Pre Menstrual Syndrome or PMS. Hormones
again are very active before and during menstruation and
can be responsible for many of the symptoms. Remember you
may not have all or any of these symptoms and that is perfectly
normal as well. Physical discomfort associated with menstruation
can be easily treated with basic over the counter pain medication.
(Ask your mother or older sister).
Some
of the physical symptoms include:
- Bloating due to fluid retention in the body.
- Swelling and soreness in the breasts.
- Headaches.
- Cramps in the stomach area.
- Pain in the lower back area.
Some
of the emotional symptoms include:
- Emotions becoming more intense.
- Feeling anger and getting easily irritated.
- Crying more than usual sometimes for simple reasons.
- General mood swings.
- Cravings for some types of food.
Remember that this is another phase of puberty possibly
the most complex one, where you will need to seek the advice
of a trusted female relative or friend. Sharing your feelings
and experiences can help you overcome and understand more
what they are all about.
•
Living
with your period:
During your period
when this discharge is leaving your body, you will need to
wear some kind of sanitary
pads that will protect your clothing and help
you get on with your life. Pads and tampons
can both be used; it is up to you to choose what makes you
more comfortable. Some girls prefer pads because they do not
like the feeling of inserting tampons inside their vaginas.
Others prefer tampons because they do not like the feeling
of wetness in the pubic area when using pads. Menstrual
cycles for some are also associated with a specific
odor that might be best concealed with the use of tampons.
When you have your period make sure you carry extra pads or
tampons (depending on what you choose) in your bag when you
leave the house. This will help in avoiding accidents during
your day.
Pads:
- Pads are placed inside the panties with the help of the
adhesive strips. They serve to absorb the flow.
- They are available in different brands and it’s up
to you to choose what’s best for you.
- They are found in different thickness, maxi pads are used
for the first days or at night when the discharge might be
stronger than usual. They absorb more.
- Mini pads are used for the days when the discharge flow
becomes lighter.
Tampons:
- Tampons are inserted inside the vagina, they are also
available in different thickness depending on the flow you
have.
- When using a tampon for the first time, try to relax so
that the muscles around the vagina are not tensed that will
help you to insert the tampon more easily.
- Make sure you leave the string attached outside so you
can pull the tampon out when you need to change it.
- Tampons need to be changed regularly to avoid infection.
- Tampons should not be worn overnight to avoid infection.
- Using a tampon will not cause a girl to lose her hymen
and her virginity.
Toxic Shock Syndrome: it is also known as TSS which is a
bacterial infection that was seen mainly in women who used
a certain type of tampon.
Though this syndrome has not disappeared totally after removing
this type of tampon from the market, it is not as common
as before. Its symptoms include a high fever, dizziness
or fainting, a sunburn-like rash and it could lead to death.
Ask your school doctor/nurse about this.
As the title suggests above ‘Living with your period’,
this is to tell you that there isn’t much you can’t
do when you have your period. Menstruation should not stop
you from going on with your life or assuming your regular
activities. If you are an active young woman and practice
a lot of sports then this should not stop.
Most importantly as hygiene is essential everyday of your
life, it should remain so when you have your period: It
is not true that you should stop showering or washing yourself
when you have your period.
For Boys and Girls:
Emotional Changes during puberty
