II. PUBERTY

II. PUBERTY

What is puberty?

Puberty is the time in which sexual and physical characteristics mature. It occurs due to hormone changes. The changes allow you to become capable of reproduction.

What is the timing of Puberty?

Puberty starts at different times and lasts for different periods of time for everyone. It can start as early as 9 years of age to as late as 13 –14 years of age. The sequence of pubertal development usually ranges from 2 to 5 years. Some adolescents might have completed puberty before their peers have even begun.

What are the signs of puberty in boys?

At puberty, boys will normally experience a faster growth, especially in height. The shoulder width also increases. The body takes on a new more muscular and angular shape in boys under the influence of testosterone. There is growth of the penis and the skin of the scrotum becomes reddened and folded. The voice deepens, and while the process is gradual, one might experience voice breaking at times. This is normal and natural and does not call for worry. There is appearance and growth of pubic, beard, and armpit hair. Nighttime ejaculations (nocturnal emissions or "wet dreams") are common. The skin becomes oily resulting in acne.

What are the signs of puberty in girls?

There is an increase in height and hip size. Hair growth appears in the genital area, in the armpits and around the breast. At first the hair are soft but with further growth become coarser. A girl starts with her menstrual periods, which is a monthly bleeding from the vagina lasting for 5 days which results due to hormonal influences on the reproductive system. The skin becomes oily resulting in acne.

What breast changes occur during puberty?

The breasts develop and enlarge due to the accumulation of fat which occurs under the influence of the hormone estrogen.

What changes occur in the female reproductive organs as a result of puberty?

As a female’s body begins the process of puberty, special hormones are released that create changes to the internal reproductive organs inside of a girl's body. The vagina becomes deeper, and girls may notice some wetness, called vaginal discharge, on their panties. The color of the discharge is usually clear to whitish and, it's normal in small amounts, so it's nothing to worry about. The uterus becomes longer and the lining of the uterus becomes thicker. The ovaries enlarge and the egg cells inside the ovaries begin to grow and develop getting ready for a special monthly event called ovulation.

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is the release of an egg cell from one of the ovaries. This event occurs approximately once a month near the midpoint of a women's menstrual cycle. Upon release, the egg travels into the fallopian tube and then begins a four to five day journey to the uterus. The fallopian tube is only about five inches long and very narrow, so this is a slow journey. The egg cell moves about one inch per day.

What is fertilization?

Fertilization is when a sperm cell from the father meets and joins with an egg cell from the mother as a result of sexual intercourse. Fertilization occurs when the egg cell is inside of the fallopian tube. The egg and sperm need to meet and combine in order to make a baby. When they do, a woman becomes pregnant.

What is menstruation?

The ovaries of a girl between the ages 10-15 years start producing a mature egg or ovum each month. The egg travels down a tube (Fallopian tube), which connects the ovary to the womb. When the egg reaches the womb, the lining becomes thick with blood and fluid. This happens so that if the egg is fertilized, it can grow and develop in the lining to produce a baby. If the egg does not meet with sperm from a male and 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 cycles once every month, at a frequency of every 28 to 32 days.

What is the normal duration of a menstrual period?

While most menstrual periods last from three to five days, anywhere from two to seven days is considered normal.

How can hygiene be maintained during periods?

Once you begin menstruating, you'll need to use a sanitary napkin or pad something to soak up the menstrual blood. Pads are made of layers of cotton. Some have extra material on the sides (called "wings") that fold over the edges of your underwear to better hold the pad in place and prevent leakage.

What are the types of sanitary pads?

Pads come in several different thicknesses for heavier or lighter menstrual periods or for day or nighttime use. Some pads come with a deodorant or deodorizing substance in them. All pads have a sticky strip on the bottom that helps them to adhere to your underwear.

How should a pad be used?

Pads are easy to use: You peel off the strip that covers the adhesive, press the pad into the crotch of your underwear (wrapping the wings around and sticking them under the crotch if the pad you're using has wings).

How frequently should a pad be changed?

It's best to change pads every 3 or 4 hours, even when you're not menstruating very much. because regular changing prevents buildup of bacteria and eliminates odour. Naturally, if your period is heavy, you should change pads more often because they may get saturated more quickly.

How should a pad be disposed?

Once you've removed your pad, wrap it tightly in a polythene and put it in the garbage can. Don't try to flush a pad down the toilet - they're too big and may block the sewer drain.

What is acne? 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?

Take the following self-care steps to lessen the effects of acne: (i) Clean your skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap.(ii) 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. (iii) Shampoo your hair daily, especially if it's oily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face. Avoid tight headbands. (iv) 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. (v) Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers. (vi) Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams (vii) If the pimples are still a problem, a doctor can prescribe stronger medications and discuss other options with you.