Puberty an Exiting Phase of Life

PUBERTY – AN EXCITING PHASE OF LIFE

1. INTRODUCTION Congrats young lady!!! As a young girl, you are beginning to turn into a young lady. You will notice changes in the way you look and feel; this is because you are going through a stage called Puberty!!! This is an exciting stage when you start to change from being a girl to being a woman.

2. DEFINITION a. Puberty – is the period during which the secondary sexual characteristics start to develop and the reproductive organs become functionally active. This generally happens between ages 10 & 14 years. Puberty is a normal, healthy and exciting part of life and it happens to everyone. b. Girls – female children. c. Exciting – from excitement- to make one happy and to look forward to.

3. CHANGES AT PUBERTY  Changes occur at all times and in different order because everyone is different. It doesn’t matter when you start: Your body will decide when it feels right.  Some of these changes appear quite quickly while others take place slowly over a few years.  Puberty starts when the pituitary gland beneath the brain begins to release a hormone called oestrogen which acts as a chemical messenger that triggers changes in our bodies. The changes are as follows:  Body growth: you grow taller and your hips develop.  Breasts gradually develop but it may not be evenly (equal). They will even out at the end of puberty.  Pimples appear on the face.  Body hair will be noticed under your arms and in the Pubic areas.  Vaginal discharge: white or milky fluid stains on your pant (not much).  Menstrual flow: monthly discharge of blood and fluid from the uterus through the vagina monthly commencing from puberty and lasting till menopause.

4. MENSTRUAL FLOW/ CYCLE  Menses, periods, menstruation etc  A period lasts for 3-7 days (5 days on the average).  The interval between periods is usually 28 days: counting from the last day of a flow to the first day of the next. It can be less or more, but normally within 21-35 days.  Periods may be irregular at first: the body needs time into adjust to a regular cycle. This might take up to 2 years- relax it is normal.  The flow is usually heavy on the first few days and gets less as you approach the end.  Use pads until you are sure your period is over to avoid getting stained.

ROUGH GUIDE Your periods will probably start:  About 2 years after your breasts start to develop.  Soon after you grow pubic hair.  After you start to notice some vaginal discharge.

5. REASONS FOR PERIODS  A period is part of the natural cycle called the menstrual cycle which the body goes through to enable a woman have a baby.  Only women get pregnant because only women can become pregnant.  Girls and women have 2 almond sized ovaries; each of which contains thousands of eggs (ova). 6. PHYSIOLOGY OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE When you reach puberty the hormone- oestrogen- tells an ovary to release an egg every month (the ovaries take turn to release an egg at a time, but, on rare occasions, 2 or more eggs are released).  The release of an egg is called Ovulation: it happens about 2 weeks before you have your period.  The egg is released into the fallopian tube and travels to the uterus, who’s lining (endometrium) would have thickened with more blood supply to receive the ovum (egg).  If a woman has sexual intercourse during this period, the egg may be fertilized by a sperm and she could become pregnant. The fertilized egg will then settle in the uterine lining where it will be nourished into a baby.  But if fertilization does not take place, the lining will not be needed and so it is shed through the vagina as your period!

INFORMATION  An average woman has about 500 periods in her life time.  A baby girl is born with approximately 200,000 eggs in each ovary.  Apart from pregnancy, periods can stop due to stress (as in exams), extreme exercise, sickness or weight loss.  You shed about 5% of the total blood volume in your body during each menstrual flow

7. WHAT ARE PERIOD CRAMPS? These are minor discomforts you feel around the time of your period. They include:  Ache or cramp in the lower part of your tummy.  Backache and pain along your inner thigh.  You may also feel a bit tired, low and irritable for 1 or 2 days before your period start: it is due to the hormones at work.

TO EASE PERIOD CRAMPS  Hold a warm bottle against your tummy.  Do some gentle exercise  Gently rub your tummy to make it feel warm  Change your diet: reduce coffee, salt, sugar and sweet foods rather increase fruits and vegetables

8. FEMININE PROTECTION This is a long name for the products you use during your period to absorb the flow of menstrual fluid. In the past, they used toilet tissue or pieces of cloth which though cheap, has problems with them –  They do not absorb well and can lead to leaks and stains  They can also slip out of place, so you may not feel confident when walking or doing sports.  They can easily be contaminated thereby causing infections if not properly handled. However, today we have sanitary pads which offer better protection than tissue or cloth because they are made from more absorbent materials.

9. HOW TO USE A PAD  Peel off the paper strip  Attach the sticky surface/ part to your pant and press it  Change your pad every 6-8 hours to feel fresh and clean  Dispose used pads into the dust bin after tying in a nylon  Don’t flush used pads down the toilet – it can block the water system.

10. VAGINAL DISCHARGE Vaginal discharge is normal. All women have it. It is a clear or whitish fluid which comes from your vagina. It helps to protect your vagina from drying out and helps to protect it against infections. However, please see a doctor if you notice any of the following abnormal discharges; as these might be signs of an infection, which are:  Unpleasant smells  Thick discharge  Yellowish discharge  Itching

PREVENTION After using the toilet:  Wipe your vagina from the front to the back to avoid spreading of bacteria from your anus to your vagina.  Wash your hands before and after changing your pads.  Avoid heavily perfumed soaps which can irritate the vagina.

11. SKIN CARE Skin care is very important, because, at puberty, the oil glands of the skin become more active; producing excess amount of a substance called sebum. 12. PIMPLES These are natural occurrences. They occur when pores are blocked with dead cells and dirt. Bacteria can develop in blocked pore hereby causing a pimple HELPS  Start a daily cleaning routine: clean your face and neck with antibacterial lotion or face wash twice daily.  Do not squeeze, pick or pop pimples: this can make them worse.  Be patient; do not expect pimples to disappear over night.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

13. EXCESSIVE SWEAT The sweat gland also produce more sweat during puberty with heat, exercise, and physical stress, your sweat can smell unpleasant giving body odor (BO)

MANAGEMENT  Bathing in the morning and every evening reduce bacteria that can cause odor  Always wear clean cloth because your cloth can absorb sweat or body odor.  You can use underarm deodorant or antiperspirant to control smell.  Deodorant e.g. Body Spray cover up body odor  Antiperspirant stop the development of body odor by reducing wetness

14. HAIR CARE  Use antidandruff shampoo to get rid of dandruff if you notice any.  Change your hair style every time to give yourself a new look  Wash and condition your hair regularly to help keep it clean, healthy and strong,  Dress well wear neat clothes with correct bra size and well fitted shoes

15. TABOOS ABOUT MENSTRUATION Taboos are the old traditional beliefs or sayings that are not scientifically proved or wholesomely true; some of which are:  That once you are menstruating, you must not sit with or talk to a male – No, mare sitting or talking with a male can not get you pregnant. The essence of this is to protect you girls from having untimely sex (pre-marital sex  That when you are menstruating, you must not touch people or things (holy things) – the idea is that you must be extra clean and careful during your period so as not to get yourself or others stained. 16. CONCLUSION  Keep record of your menstrual cycle: 1. To notice irregularities early and seek help 2. To prepare you into a pleasant motherhood.  Growing into a healthy womanhood involves you taking responsibilities for yourself and being extra careful in you relationships.

Thank you and God bless.