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4GIRLS Sexual Development Can Start Around the Age of Nine to 13 with Girls Develop at Different Rates

4GIRLS Sexual Development Can Start Around the Age of Nine to 13 with Girls Develop at Different Rates

A guide to the female body 4GIRLS Sexual development can start around the age of nine to 13 with Girls develop at different rates. Some girls may have their first period pubic and underarm and starting to grow. when they're eight years old, others may be 18. All these changes – known as – take place over several years.

I never My boyfriend Is it I think I've got a My period's Can my doctor know when my says I'm frigid wrong I fancy . period's due because I don't to touch late. What tell my parents should I girls Have I caught want to have myself? something? I'm having do? sex? Why do My I feel so I don't want moody? Can you get a Why is one My periods sexually transmitted of my breasts to have sex. are huge. Should I are really I've got infection if you've only smaller than Is something go on a diet? painful C-cup breasts Why had sex once? the other? wrong with am I so me? but tiny hairy? nipples

2 3 Facts about breasts FACTS ABOUT GENITALS

are as Genitals Like BREASTS get a lot of individual as people's – this! attention in our society and many they all look very different. girls worry that theirs don’t measure Take a look at your up to the images around them. (external genital organs) with a mirror …

Breasts and nipples tingle or itch while they're

developing, but this will stop once they've grown. Everyone's

different!! Growth can be uneven so one may be bigger this! than the other. This will even out but many women OR have slightly different-sized breasts all their lives.

Breasts come in different shapes and sizes and can be soft or firm – The outer ( majora) cover the and extend back VULVA to just in front of the . PETITE LARGE XTRALIFT clitoris The outer lips are thicker and often hairy on the outside and are outer mottled and darker on the inside. lips When a is sexually aroused – small – or large. Nipples may point up – inner they open up to reveal the entrance lips to the . DARK PALE LOW ADDED The () join inner lips freckles! at the front in a small fleshy bump called the clitoris – its purpose is vagina to give sexual pleasure. – or droop downwards – be dark – or pale. The inner lips are thinner. They vary in colour from light pink to dark These differences are all normal. brown. One outer may be bigger than the other or the inner lips may anus hang below the outer lips. Usually the nipples point outwards, but some girls It's really worth have nipples that are inverted (point inwards). This going to a shop is normal and there is no need to worry. In some that offers a You may have heard about cervical A test spots the women, the nipples remain like this throughout their free measuring screening tests. This is a test warning signs before cervical life. It does not mean there is anything wrong with service so you offered to all women aged 20–25 develops. It can be uncomfortable, the breasts, and inverted nipples won't stop you get a bra that's and above, depending on where you but it doesn't hurt and it only takes live in the UK, every 3–5 years. a couple of minutes. breastfeeding if you have a baby. right for you. 4 5 What is a ? FACTS ABOUT PERIODS

Period When you first have periods the time The menstrual fallopian (womb lining) fallopian blood is often between one period and the next may tube tube cycle is from the thick and reddish vary so it can be difficult to know first day of a period brown and may have when you will have your next one. until the day before the small lumps in it. It only When your menstrual cycle becomes (womb) next period starts. smells when it comes into more regular you The average length of contact with the air. It is healthy to change can use a diary or ovary the menstrual cycle your towel or an app to work out varies although it can every few hours. when you’re due. vagina be as short as 21 days or as long as 40 days – genitals both are normal. Will I still be a virgin if I use a My sister Mine says that tampon? Yes. You are a virgin until prefers to once she got used use to she you have sex. The menstrual cycle is Hormones make the eggs grow towels didn't want to controlled by hormones. The and also thicken the lining of change back Does putting in a tampon for hormone causes your uterus. Usually one egg the first time hurt? No, not if you about 20 tiny eggs to grow becomes larger than the others relax. It can be difficult to put in a in one of your each and goes into the tampon if you're tense and not sure month. that connects the ovary to the how to put it in. When you have your uterus. period try putting a tampon in when When It's for you to decide whether you have lots of time and privacy. a woman reaches you prefer to use towels or Read the instructions that come with puberty she will have one tampons or a mooncup. This tampons to find out how to put them is a silicone cup that is worn to two million eggs in her in. If the tampon feels uncomfortable internally to collect menstrual it may not be in far enough. ovaries. fluid and can be emptied and re-used. One method isn't Sometimes girls and women can The release of the egg is called better than the others. have problems with tampons, and it happens leading to a serious illness called Your vagina is naturally self- around 10–16 days before the If the egg is not fertilised, toxic shock syndrome (TSS). cleansing so you don't need start of the next period. it is re-absorbed into your If you have two or more of the to use perfumed Estrogen also causes the body. following while using tampons: pads or special in the cervix to become thinner, being sick; a rash; sore ; Hormone levels drop and sprays (and wetter and more stretchy, sudden fever; diarrhoea, stop the uterus lining breaks up these can cause allowing to reach an egg using tampons and see your and is released through the ). more easily. vagina as a period. doctor right away. 6 7 Living with Periods QUESTIONS ABOUT PERIODS

Changes in hormone levels can Breasts may become sore There are lots of silly stories about periods and what you can do affect your moods. You may feel: or a bit larger and you may when you have one. energetic get spots on your just It's up to you what you do when you have a period, and before your period. Eating Silly and sexy stories you will have a lot of periods in your life. lots of fresh fruit and about around periods It can take some time to get used to having periods and the time vegetables, having a diet low in sugar and salt and feeling confident about dealing with them. But periods you are a normal, healthy, special part of being female. ovulate taking regular I've heard that if you have sex during a period can help. then you won't get pregnant. Not true. It’s also not true that you won't get pregnant if it's the first time you've had sex/you or moody, tearful have sex standing up/don't have an /bath or angry the week afterwards. before your period is due. You are most likely to We'd like to stay for up to get pregnant around seven days – there ovulation, but you are about 300 Periods may sometimes be What you can do about pain may not know when million of us. painful. Some women are Hold a hot water this happens. particularly badly affected. bottle against Also, sperm can live in your "At first my periods were your body for up to seven stomach fine but now the day I get days so is and take a painkiller. The contraceptive my period is just awful. I possible at virtually any combined pill or patch are very good for have really bad pains, feel time in your cycle. sick and sometimes have painful periods, but if you don't want diarrhoea. My GP said I to use these your doctor will be able to Boys produce around should go on the pill but prescribe something else. Exercise, such 300 million my mum's not keen and as walking or sport, can help too. sperm when So don't have says I'm neurotic." they ejaculate Andrea, 15 So if you sex unless get really and it takes you feel ready, The pain is due to It's fine! only one to This always bad period and you've got contractions of the uterus make you muscle. It's a very real happens! pains contraception pain, so Andrea isn't being don't suffer pregnant. sorted (see neurotic. in silence. pages 12 & 13). 8 9 What is Discharge? Facts about

It's normal to have some When you're sexually excited Masturbation No. Women discharge from your your vagina produces a (wanking) is something is it vagina as this natural natural lubricant to make who have learnt women might not talk BAD for what they like lubricant keeps your having sex easier. about, but most people vagina healthy. you? can pass this The amount of discharge do it. knowledge on to This discharge is usually increases around ovulation Most women rub around a partner. clear or slightly milky and to help sperm swim up your or on their clitoris and may be faintly yellow when vagina to meet an egg. maybe move in and out of it dries on your pants. the vagina. If you have an unusual discharge that itches If you masturbate to orgasm the and/or smells see a doctor as you may have muscles in your vagina will move an infection. This could be a very common in spasms and feelings of pleasure will flow through your whole body. infection called thrush, which can develop if you wear tight clothes, use perfumed soap or Many women Fantasise bubble bath or if you are just feeling run down. while they masturbate. If you've had sex you may have got a sexually transmitted infection. Whatever the cause it can usually be easily treated. Am I GAY? Having a 'crush' on CYSTITIS Many women at some point in someone of their lives have cystitis, which is an inflammation of the same the bladder or urethra. You feel you want to go the sex is very toilet all the time even when your bladder is empty. common and doesn't It can be caused by Same again? necessarily bruising during sex mean you're or heavy petting, or gay. from bacteria from your anus being transferred to your urethra. This is why If you think you should always you have wipe yourself from You may be sexually Your body is yours to You may choose to cystitis see a front to back. interested in other share with whoever share it with no-one. doctor. And make sure you drink lots of water every day. women – or in you choose. women and men. 10 11 Going Further… Advice about CONTRACEPTION

You can be any age to get advice. All services are confidential It is against the This is known as the age – this means they won’t tell anyone you’ve been. law to have sex of consent and is the same However, they may need to involve other services if they believe you, with a young for everyone, whatever or another person, to be at significant risk of harm (such as physical or person under the your gender or sexual ). They will discuss ? There are many contraception age of 16. orientation. this with you. methods to choose from. ? For most you won't need a vaginal Where to go for examination. Say if you have a My boyfriend says I’m frigid ADVICE on problem, such as unusual vaginal because I don’t want to discharge or after sex. have sex. contraception There should be a Frigid is an insulting word used clinic near you when girls say 'no'. If he's that runs interested in you he'll be prepared sessions for to listen to how you feel and wait young people. if necessary. If he isn't, he's just FPA (see back cover) has details male and female implant putting pressure on you. of all clinics in the UK. Sex should be enjoyable, so: Emergency ● Don't have sex until you're ● Realise that all women can Women can get emergency contraceptive absolutely sure it's what you enjoy sex with the right partner contraception from their doctor or combined pill want. at the right time. a contraception or sexual health ● Ditch boys who try to pressure ● If you are sure you want to clinic and pharmacies. you or insult you. have sex, get contraception There are three types of sorted first. you can -only use. pill patch You can get free information and help The pill Levonelle must be taken up about contraception from a to three days (72 hours) after sex. doctor, nurse, , some The pill ella0ne must be taken up genitourinary medicine (GUM) to five days (120 hours) after sex. diaphragm or cap IUS clinics, a young people's service or Both pills are more effective the with contraception clinic. earlier they are taken. An emergency IUD (intrauterine Let the staff know if you would device) can be fitted into the woman's uterus within five days of prefer to be seen by a woman sex or ovulation (release of an egg). contraceptive doctor or nurse. injection IUD 12 13 Do I look OK? Facts about weight How you feel about yourself is much more Many women have an unhappy important than what you look like and guilty relationship with food – or how much you weigh. denying themselves things they like, My life would be PERFECT With all the body changes which they then crave, and counting … if only I was every calorie. taller/thinner/ that take place around didn't wear glasses/ puberty, it’s easy to It's okay to eat chips, cakes, had perfect skin! become obsessed with chocolate and crisps – if you eat It’s HOW YOU LOOK. them occasionally and eat other not true! foods as well that balance your diet. If you need to snack between You do a lot of growing during your meals go for fruit, nuts or cheese. teens so the amount of body fat and muscle you have will increase – your Many girls who want to lose weight body needs it. As your body changes just cut down what they eat. from a girl's to a woman's you’ll get taller, your , thighs and If you are overweight you are taking will get broader. in more energy than you use up, so you need to exercise. All women have Exercise can also firm Some women choose to up or slim parts of your body. BODY HAIR shave, wax or use or though some remove it. epilators to remove some body around the genitals hair, and others don't. appears first, then hair grows in the Some people find body hair Leave yourself time to eat armpits, on the legs and sometimes very sexy – it’s a matter of breakfast. You need the energy to on other parts of the body. choice. take you through the day.

If you are tall or have a large frame then you will WEIGH more Miracle diets don’t work as the than if you are short or have a small frame. weight just goes back on when you stop the diet. You need to eat a healthy Most women see their balanced diet with lots of fresh Remember that body as bigger than it actually is. fruit and vegetables. This ‘diet’ you may also is what you eat every day for the weigh more just Most women who diet aren't Extreme worry about your weight can rest of your life. before and during cause health problems. If you think overweight – they're just not If you eat healthily and make your period. happy with their bodies. your concern about what you eat is taking over your life then seek help. exercise a part of your life you can forget about dieting. 14 15 Where to get more information For information on sexual health, sex These organisations can and relationships visit www.fpa.org.uk also give you confidential or check out these FPA booklets. information and advice. Brook www.brook.org.uk For sexual health services and advice for young people. Childline 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk 24-hour helpline for young people with any problem. BEAT www.b-eat.co.uk Support for people affected by eating disorders. Frank www.talktofrank.com For information on . GET CONNECTED www.getconnected.org.uk 0808 808 4994 Free, confidential helpline and advice service for young people. 4GIRLS © FPA July 2014 London & Gay ISBN 978-1-908249-87-6 FPA, 50 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8QU Switchboard Tel 020 7608 5240 www.llgs.org.uk The Association is a registered charity, Support and information for gay number 250187. Limited liability company registered in England, number 887632. men, , bisexuals and Design and illustration trans people. CORINNE PEARLMAN (Comic Company) Printed by McCorquodale CRISIS The information in this booklet was accurate at the time of www.rapecrisis.org.uk going to print. Booklets are reviewed regularly. Next edition For girls and women who have available in 2017. If you would like information on the evidence used to produce this booklet or would like to give been raped or assaulted us feedback email [email protected] recently or in the past. Youth Access www.youthaccess.org.uk For your nearest counselling service.

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