Booklet is aimed to help young girls better understand the changes their bodies go through during the puberty process.

1. PUBERTY: WHAT’S HAPPENING
Usually starts between the ages of 9 and 14, and
lasts for a few years. Everyone is different though, and it doesn’t matter when you start your
body will decide when the time is right.
These changes won’t suddenly happen
overnight. You’ll notice that some happen quickly, but others take place slowly over a few
years.
Puberty starts when a gland just beneath the front of
your brain the Pituitary Gland sends a signal for your body to start making a special chemical.
This chemical or Hormone is called Estrogen, and it is responsible for most of the changes you
notice about yourself. This is the primary female Hormone. Males have a different Hormone,
Testosterone, which is responsible for most of their body changes.
You know you are starting to go through puberty when you suddenly start to grow taller.
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2. You will also notice that your body grows into a more womanly shape. Don’t worry if your
friends seem to be growing more quickly than you. You’ll soon catch up.
The main ones are:
¤ Your body grows taller
¤ Your body grows broader (your hips, in particular, grow wider).
¤ Your breast begins to grow.
¤ Your body may sweat more and you may develop body odor.
¤ Your hair may become oily.
¤ Your skin may become more oily and pimples may develop.
¤ Hair starts to grow under your arms, on your legs and in the
pubic area between yours legs.
¤ Vaginal discharge begins
¤ Periods start
”My mom kind of sat me down
one day and gave me the general idea of what it was
all about and what was going on with my body, so that
kind of helped.”
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3. As well as getting taller, your hips will get wider and your breast will
get larger and fuller, so gaining some weight is normal. (An adult woman has more body fat
than a young girl does). As long as you eat a healthy diet and exercise, too, there shouldn’t be
any need to worry about your weight.
Your breast will
develop gradually you probably won’t really notice it happening
most of the time. Don’t worry if one breast is bigger than the other
is. They’ll be about the same size once puberty is finished,
although no one’s breasts are exactly alike.
Sweat glands, found
mainly under your arms, start to work. These cause perspiration, which can lead to
body odor.
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4. Don’t worry! Some of these don’t sound like a great deal of fun who wants body odor, oily
hair and pimples. However, they are all normal, and they can be managed with good hygiene
habits.
Pimples almost everyone gets pimples on their face at some time during puberty. This is because
your skin can start to get oily. Glands in your skin become more active and start to produce
more of a special kind of oil, sebum.
Your hair may also become
oilier and may need to be washed more often. Body hair will start to grow in the
pubic area the v-shaped area between your legs where your legs meet your body.
Hair will also grow under your armpits and on your legs.
A small amount of clear or whitish fluid will start coming out of
your Vagina, the passage that leads from your Uterus to the outside of your body.
You will notice it because it will leave a slight mark in your panties. All women
have vaginal discharge the amount varies through the Menstrual Cycle.
The start of periods is probably the biggest change that takes place
for a girl during puberty. Periods are nothing to be worried about they are a natural
part of every woman’s life. They are a sigh that your body is healthy and working
properly. It may still come, as a surprise when you get your first period this
happens to lots of girls so don’t worry.
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5. What are they?
A period is when you lose some
fluid, including blood, from your vagina (an opening between your
legs). This is a sign of a normal and healthy body and is nothing to
worry about. It happens to most women each month.
Most girls start having periods between the ages
of 10 and 16. There is no “right” time: your period will start when your body is
ready.
A PERIOD LASTS FOR A FEW DAYS~ USUALLY SOMEWHERE
BETWEEN 3 AND 7 DAYS.
Most women have a period each month. The average time between the first day of one
period and the first day of the next period is about 28 days, but for some women it can be less
and for some it can be more. Anywhere between 21 and 35 days is normal.
When you first start to have periods, they may not be regular. After the first period, the
next one might be 2 or 3 months later, and it might last 1 day or 10. Your body will take a while
to settle down into a regular cycle this might take 2 years or more. Relax this is normal.
As a rough guide, your periods will probably start:
¤ About 2 years after your breast start to develop.
¤ Soon after you grow pubic hair
¤ After you start to notice some vaginal discharge.
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6. Ways to ease period cramps:
¤ Try a warm bath
¤ Hold a heating pad or hot water
bottle over your clothes against your lower
abdomen.
¤ Exercise
¤ If cramps continue to be a problem
for you, make sure you check with an adult
before taking any kind of medication.
Period cramps are nothing to worry
about they are a normal part of having a
period. However, if you regularly have a
lot of discomfort, you should talk to an
adult about it or see your doctor for help.
Definitely check with an adult before taking
any kind of medication. You might feel a
bit tired, low or irritable just before your
period begins, then feel better again
afterwards. It’s those hormones again!
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7. The word “Menstruation” means having
periods. It comes from the Latin word for
month (mens).
Only women have periods not men. A period is part of
the natural cycle called the menstrual cycle that the body goes through to enable
women to have a baby.
A woman’s menstrual cycle lasts from the first day
of one period to the beginning of the next.
The female reproductive system is where the
menstrual cycle takes place.
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8. Girls and women have two almond-sized ovaries. Each ovary
contains thousands of eggs (ova). When you reach puberty, the
hormone estrogen tells an ovary to release one egg every month.
(The ovaries take turns releasing an egg. Usually they release
only one egg at a time, but on rare occasions two or more are
released).
This release of an egg is called Ovulation. It happens about
two weeks before you have your period.
The egg travels along the fallopian tube (oviduct) towards the
uterus (also called the womb). The uterus is about the size of
a clenched fist. If a man’s sperm (the male reproductive cell)
meets the egg, the egg might get fertilized and could grow into
a baby.
So, what
does having a period have to do with babies?
Every time an ovary releases an egg, your body gets ready just
in case a baby is made. Even if the egg doesn’t meet a male
sperm, your body still gets itself ready to look after a baby.
Most of the time the egg is not fertilized and dissolves. When
this happens, the lining of the uterus isn’t needed, so it
leaves your body through the vagina as a reddish fluid
containing blood. This is your period.
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9. The whole menstrual cycle starts again! Your
period lasts for a few days as the body gets rid of part of the
lining of the uterus. Then, about when your period stops, one
of your ovaries starts to get ready to release another egg.
Then this happens, the uterus starts to develop a thick lining
again. The egg is released and travels along the fallopian tube
towards the uterus…and you know the rest.
The average woman has approximately 500
periods in her lifetime. They stop when a woman is
about 50 years old. This is called the menopause.
When a baby girl is born, she has approximately
200,000 eggs in each of her ovaries.
A hormone (a chemical messenger) called progesterone makes a
soft spongy lining of blood and tissue thicken inside the
uterus. (This lining is called the Endometrium). If the egg
gets fertilized by a male sperm, it will settle in this lining,
where it will be nourished and looked after as it develops into
a baby.
Only adults should have babies!
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10. Why do we all go through puberty?
All the changes you experience during puberty are to prepare
your body to reproduce have a baby one day, when you are ready
to accept the responsibilities of parenthood, if you want to.
What is a period?
A period is when you lose some fluid, including blood, from your
vagina (an opening between your legs). Each month a soft lining
thickens inside your uterus (womb). If you become pregnant,
this lining is needed to look after and nourish the growing
baby. If you don’t become pregnant, this lining is not needed,
and most of it leaves your body through your vagina. This is
your period. It is a sign of a normal and healthy body.
How long does a period lasts?
It lasts for a few days usually somewhere between 3 and 7 days.
How often will I have a period?
Most women have a period each month. The average time is
between periods is about 28 days, but for some women it can be
less, and for some it can be more. Anywhere between 21 and 35
days.
When will I start having periods?
Most girls start having periods between the ages of 20 and 16.
There is no “right” time your periods will start when your body
is ready. It might be reassuring to talk to your doctor if you
have not experienced any of the changes of puberty by the age of
14; or if your breast and pubic hair have started to grow, but
your periods haven’t started by the age of 16.
Will it hurt when I have a period?
Usually not, it’s not like losing blood from a cut or a wound.
Some girls or women hardly notice any discomfort during a
period. Others might have what are called “period cramps.”
These are usually aches or cramps in the lower abdomen.
Alternatively, sometimes you might have an ache in your back or
along your inner thighs. Period cramps are nothing to worry
about they are a normal part of having periods. Some ways to
ease period cramps: Try a warm bath; hold a heating pad or hot
water bottle on your lower abdomen, exercise.
If cramps continue to be a problem for you, make sure you check
with an adult before taking any kind of medication.
What if I have my first period when I’m at school?
Virtually all girls are taken by surprise when they get their
first period even if they are well informed so don’t worry.
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11. It’s probably a good idea to carry a pad and a clean pair of
underwear in your bag just in case. However, if you don’t have
a pad, it’s fine to use some toilet paper or tissue if you need
to. Ask a friend, a school nurse or a teacher to help you no
one will mind. Most schools keep some spare pads for times just
like this. (In addition, any stains in your underwear will soon
wash out with cold water and some soap). Remember, it’s
something that every adult knows about, and no one will mind
helping you.
Will I always have periods?
Most women have periods from puberty until they
are about 50 years old. At around this age, women’s
bodies go through another change called menopause. At
this time, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and the
menstrual cycle comes to a stop. The only other time
you will not have periods is if you become pregnant.
Then, instead of leaving your body through the vagina,
the lining of the uterus stays where it id and grows
to nourish the baby as it develops.
Is it okay to have a bath or shower when I have
my period?
Definitely. During your period is the most
important time to keep yourself fresh and clean.
Will I lose much blood during my period?
The amount of blood in the menstrual fluid varies
from woman to woman, and from day to day, during the
period. A period usually ends lightly, with most
menstrual fluids lost in the first few days. Even
then, it doesn’t come out very quickly. You lose
about 16-18 teaspoons of menstrual fluid during your
period, but only about 7 teaspoons of it is blood
although some women do lose a bit more. It might look
like a lot but it’s not as much as you think.
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12. Who can I talk to if I have some worries?
It is always good to talk to someone about your
worries. The best person to talk to is probably your
mom or perhaps your dad. Nevertheless, if you don’t
feel comfortable talking to them, sometimes another
older person such as coach, teacher, school nurse,
aunt or a friend’s mom can help a lot. Older sisters
can be very helpful, as can friends at school
especially if they have already started puberty
themselves.
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