Let's Talk Some More About the Menstrual Cycle?

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Let's Talk Some More About the Menstrual Cycle? 1 Theof Let’s talk some more about the menstrual cycle? You probably already noticed your body is 2 3 changing. You might also be feeling things differently, both emotionally and physically, right? many Whatever the case, remember that you are not alone – everyone you know (including the boys) will go through puberty. It’s natural and perfectly OK! The more information you get on the subject, the more you will feel comfortable and self-confident! THE PHYSICAL CHANGES YOU WILL NOTICE ARE TELLING YOU THAT PUBERTY HAS ARRIVED: To show you that getting your period isn’t really YOUR BREASTS GROW; that big a deal, we have prepared a primer that YOUR NIPPLES BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED; explains everything about the menstrual cycle, PMS, and what to expect during your period. YOUR HIPS BECOME WIDER; HAIR BEGINS TO GROW IN YOUR ARMPITS AND PUBIC REGION; YOUR BODY GETS MORE CURVES; YOUR GENITALS GROW DARKER AND THICKER; PUBERTY IS A PERIOD WHEN YOU BEGIN NOTICING A VAGINAL DISCHARGE; YOUR BODY UNDERGOES OVULATION BEGINS; MANY CHANGES THAT WILL PREPARE YOU TO BECOME YOU GET YOUR PERIOD FOR THE FIRST TIME. AN ADULT. GIRLS PUBERTY NORMALLY HAPPENS YOUR REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS ARE THERE SINCE YOU BETWEEN THE AGE OF 10 TO WERE BORN, BUT THEY ONLY MATURE DURING PUBERTY. 14 YEARS OLD. EACH GIRL IS THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR BODY PRODUCES A DIFFERENT, AND NO TIMING HORMONE CALLED ESTROGEN, WHICH REGULATES IS BETTER OR WORSE. YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE. happen? The vast majority of women get their period; it happens throughout all of the THE ENDOMETRIUM years a woman can become pregnant LINES THE INSIDE OF and conceive a new life. Also, getting THE UTERUS your period is an indication that your body is functioning properly. But menstrual bleeding is only one part of the menstrual cycle: first the EVERY MONTH, THE egg grows, then the uterus forms a UTERUS PREPARES thick lining to prepare to receive an FOR PREGNANCY, TO embryo; bleeding only happens when RECEIVE AN EMBRYO the uterus realizes there will be no pregnancy, so it contracts to eliminate the lining, which is comprised of blood and tissue. That’s when your “period” WHEN PREGNANCY begins. DOESN’T HAPPEN, THE ENDOMETRIUM The menstruation That is why pregnant women don’t BREAKS DOWN AND THE WOMAN MENSTRUATES get their periods. Since the uterus will make use of that lining, it doesn’t eliminate it. DID YOU KNOW THAT THE VERY FIRST MENSTRUAL know? you did MENSTRUATION IS CALLED MENARCHE? can last from 3 to 8 days. Bleeding That’s right! Once you get your period, you will starts with a darker color that grows continue to menstruate until you’re around 50 increasingly red and, towards the end, years old, which is when menopause happens, becomes darker again. and then you’ll never menstruate again. When you get your period for the first time, you realize how menstruation marks an important stage in your cycle – in your life. So it’s worth UTERUS learning about it, and learning to respect it. TUBES From menarche to menopause, you will very likely have your period every month – unless you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you don’t OVARY menstruate and you can rule out those two CERVIX reasons, it’s very important that you consult a VAGINA gynecologist: you may have some hormonal imbalance that is interfering with your period. THICK ENDOMETRIUM MENSTRUAL FLOW As a matter of fact, seeing a gynecologist regularly is very important to ensuring you stay healthy. If you have any questions about finding a medical specialist, ask an adult you trust, like your mother, father, teacher, etc. I’M YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE 27 28 1 2 26 3 A few days before the THE REGULAR 25 4 24 5 flow begins, hormonal MENSTRUAL THIS IS CALLED 23 6 changes may cause CYCLE LASTS PRE-MENSTRUAL 22 7 several symptoms, both FROM 28 TO 30 SYNDROME, THE 21 8 physical and emotional. DAYS, AND HAS 20 9 The most common are FAMOUS PMS. THREE PHASES. 19 10 swollen and tender 18 11 17 12 breasts and abdomen, 16 13 15 14 heightened or diminished appetite, acne, and It also common to feel headaches. Also, it is an abdominal pain The first phase starts on the first day of the common to have mood during the ovulation swings and become sad, phase, in the middle 1. cycle and lasts from 5 to 8 days. This is when the endometrium and a new follicle start upset, tired or anxious. of the cycle. It’s not a growing again. coincidence that this When your period finally discomfort is called In the next five days, the ovulation phase comes, these symptoms “middle pain.” 2. takes place; the egg becomes mature and disappear. But don’t the woman is more fertile. be surprised if you get But it’s also normal to cramps, feel a weight in feel nothing – neither The last phase is the secretion phase; it your stomach and your pain, nor discomfort, lasts about 14 days. The uterus prepares back, feel tired, or pee nor bodily changes. 3. to receive a fertilized egg. If the egg is not more frequently. That After all, every woman is fertilized, the woman will menstruate, and is all caused by your unique and each body the cycle will start over. menstrual flow. is different. WHAT’S IMPORTANT IS TO TAKE GOOD CARE AND OF YOUR PERSONAL HYGIENE, BY USING A SELF-CONFIDENT DURING PRODUCT THAT WILL ABSORB OR COLLECT THAT BLOOD. YOUR PERIOD You have many different options: At each menstrual cycle, you lose The best-known alternative is the sanitary between 30 and 50 ml of blood. It’s napkin (a.k.a. menstrual pad), which adapts easily to really not all that much... you can keep different body types and sizes, and is easy to use. going to school (including your PE classes), the gym, the movies, out for Another option is the tampon, which is inserted into ice cream... Anywhere you like, even to the vaginal canal, and protects you just as well. Both the beach or the swimming pool. the sanitary napkin and the tampon can easily be used during all your everyday activities. Reusable pads (cloth), absorbent panties, and menstrual cups are also available. THE BETTER YOU KNOW YOUR BODY AND PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CYCLE, THE BETTER YOU WILL BE Ah, there are also daily pads called ABLE TO ADAPT YOUR ROUTINE TO THESE CHANGES. pantyliners, which are a great option for when the AND, ESPECIALLY, YOU WON’T BE SO UPSET ABOUT THE menstrual flow is weaker, towards the end of your DISCOMFORTS, AS YOU WILL KNOW WHY THEY ARE period. Also, they can be a good alternative for HAPPENING AND THAT THEY WILL GO AWAY SOON. everyday use, to keep you feeling fresh and clean DON’T KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS TO YOURSELF. throughout the day. talk Each woman may prefer a different type ABOUT YOUR PERIOD WITH YOUR FRIENDS of product. Or use different products, AND FAMILY, AND SEEK INFORMATION ABOUT according to what she finds best suited THIS VERY NATURAL FUNCTION. for the occasion. It’s your decision, as long as you feel comfortable, protected and confident with the product of your choice. Take care of yourself SHARE THIS MATERIAL, ONLY BY WORKING TOGETHER WILL WE BE ABLE TO REACH EVEN MORE PEOPLE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE MENSTRUATION! SUPPORT:.
Recommended publications
  • Puberty in Girls: Discussing Masturbation
    PUBERTY IN GIRLS: DISCUSSING MASTURBATION Discussing masturbation is an anxiety-provoking moment for any parent. It is important to address the topic with your daughter in a manner that is consistent with your family’s belief system and to set rules that are both age appropriate and comfortable for you to follow through with. This includes acknowledging that it is normal for your daughter to have sexual urges and interest. A good way to open the conversation is through books that discuss puberty and sexual topics in a frank and straightforward manner. Find out what your daughter already knows. Make sure she knows the different parts of her body and their functions. Consider using picture books or a body puzzle to make a simple game such as “find the body part” to see if your daughter understands what the body parts are and their functions; give her a healthy reward or praise to show her that she has done well. Read books together about puberty/adolescence, OR if your daughter doesn’t want to read with you, make them available to her by placing them in places where she plays. When it comes to discussing masturbation, you will need to be explicit. Because many individuals on the autism spectrum tend to self-stimulate in various ways, boundaries must be set around masturbation. Teach rules for appropriate time and place, and tell your daughter that sometimes masturbation is not an option. Provide her with private time where she will be undisturbed. Establish an open dialogue with your daughter about sexuality, which includes being safe and socially appropriate.
    [Show full text]
  • Original Article HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS of FOLLICULOGENESIS in MURRAH WATER BUFFALOES DURING the EARLY POSTPUBERTAL PERIOD
    Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2020, 23, No 1, 8088 ISSN 1311-1477; DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2156 Original article HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FOLLICULOGENESIS IN MURRAH WATER BUFFALOES DURING THE EARLY POSTPUBERTAL PERIOD V. MANOV, V. PLANSKI & G. S. POPOV Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria Summary Manov, V., V. Planski & G. S. Popov, 2020. Histological characteristics of folliculogenesis in Murrah water buffaloes during the early postpubertal period. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 23, No 1, 8088. A characteristic feature of water buffalo heifers is that they approach breeding maturity later than bovine heifers. From a physiological and endocrinological view, this is related to a later puberty, which affects the overall reproductive performance of water buffalo. The aim of this study was to highlight some morphological characteristics of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) ovaries in the early postpubertal period. The results showed active ovaries of the examined specimens. Some of the follicles had no oocyte, but were with normal structure and physiological activity. Histology is a de- finitive method for examination of ovarian activity in water buffaloes. In some of the ovulating folli- cles the oocyte was absent during early puberty. The presence of corpora lutea confirmed the endo- crine maturity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal endocrine axis in 11–14 months old heifers despite the absence of oocytes. Key words: corpus luteum, estrus, follicle, ovary, ovulation, postpubertal period, water buffalo heifer INTRODUCTION Water buffalo heifers attain breeding ma- variable and is influenced by a wide vari- turity later than bovine heifers which is ety of factors, including climate, geo- attributed to later onset of puberty, affect- graphic area, breed, season of birth, and ing the overall reproductive performance.
    [Show full text]
  • Puberty—Ready Or Not Expect Some Big Changes
    puberty—ready or not expect some big changes Puberty is the time in your life when your Zits! body starts changing from that of a child to that of an Girls & Boys. adult. At times you may feel like your body is totally Another change that out of control! Your arms, legs, hands, and feet happens during puberty is that your skin gets oilier and you may may grow faster than the rest of your body. You may feel a little start to sweat more. This is because your glands are growing too. clumsier than usual. It’s important to wash every day to keep your skin Compared to your friends you may feel too tall, too short, too clean. Most people use a deodorant or antiperspirant to keep odor fat, or too skinny. You may feel self-conscious about and wetness under control. Don’t be surprised, even if you wash these changes, but many of your friends probably do too. your face every day, that you still get pimples. This is called acne, and it’s normal during this time when your hormone levels are Everyone goes through puberty, but not always at high. Almost all teens get acne at one time or another. the same time or exactly in the same way. In general, here’s Whether your case is mild or severe, there are things you can do what you can expect. to keep it under control. For more information on controlling acne, talk with your pediatrician. When? There’s no “right” time for puberty to begin.
    [Show full text]
  • Knowledge About Human Reproduction and Experience of Puberty 4
    KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HUMAN REPRODUCTION AND EXPERIENCE OF PUBERTY 4 4.1 KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF PUBERTY Knowledge of the physiology of human reproduction and the means to protect oneself against sexual or reproductive problems and diseases should be available to adolescents. Better knowledge of these subjects among young adults will lead to correct attitudes and responsible reproductive health behavior. 4.1.1 Knowledge of Physical Changes In the 2002-2003 Indonesia Young Adult Reproductive Health Survey (IYARHS), respondents were asked several questions to measure their knowledge about human reproduction and the experience of puberty. They were asked to name any physical changes that a boy or a girl goes through during the transition from childhood to adolescence. The responses were spontaneous, without any prompting from the interviewer. The findings are presented in Table 4.1. It is interesting to note that while the respondents may have experienced some of the physical changes listed in the questionnaire, some may not have recognized them as part of the process of growing up into adulthood; others may not report them to the interviewer. Table 4.1 Knowledge of physical changes at puberty Percentage of unmarried women and men age 15-24 who know of specific physical changes in a boy and a girl at puberty, by age, IYARHS 2002-2003 Women Men Indicators of physical changes 15-19 20-24 Total 15-19 20-24 Total In a boy Develop muscles 26.3 27.7 26.8 33.1 30.4 32.0 Change in voice 52.2 65.6 56.7 35.5 44.6 39.2 Growth of facial hair, pubic hair,
    [Show full text]
  • Puberty in Boys: from Physical Changes to Masturbation
    PUBERTY IN BOYS: FROM PHYSICAL CHANGES TO MASTURBATION Boys grow and develop (both mentally and physically) at different rates and ages. It is important to know when the “right” time is to begin talking with your son about his development. Ideally, you should begin introducing your son to his body, including his genitals, at an early age. Then, when it is time to talk about the sexual function of his body, it may not be as difficult. Use your judgment in determining when your son is ready for a conversation about puberty and sexuality. For many boys, this may be around age 9 to 11. Keep in mind that it may be earlier or later, depending on your child’s development. Whatever the age, it is important to think about where to begin. Find out what your son knows. Does he already know the body parts? Does he know what it means to have an erection? Use visuals such as drawings and pictures, or use a hand held mirror to help find out if he can name his body parts and genitals and tell you the function of each part. When talking with your son about his body, use the proper or real names of each body part, instead of just saying “down there.” Also teach your son the slang terms for male and female body parts; he is likely to hear them at school or elsewhere. Keep it SIMPLE. For example: “This is your penis: this is where the urine/pee comes out when you use the toilet.” “This is your anus: this is where the stool/poop comes out after your food has been digested.” “This is your penis: this is where semen comes out when you ejaculate.” Be POSITIVE and tell him that his body will grow taller, his testicles and penis will grow bigger, and hair will grow under his arms and in his groin area and that it is NORMAL.
    [Show full text]
  • Female Tanner Stages (Sexual Maturity Rating)
    Strength of Recommendations Preventive Care Visits – 6 to 17 years Bold = Good Greig Health Record Update 2016 Italics = Fair Plain Text = consensus or Selected Guidelines and Resources – Page 3 inconclusive evidence The CRAFFT Screening Interview Begin: “I’m going to ask you a few questions that I ask all my patients. Please be honest. I will keep your Screening for Major Depressive Disorder -USPSTF answers confidential.” Age 12 years to 18 years 7 to 11 yrs No Yes Part A During the past 12 months did you: Screen (when systems in place for diagnosis, treatment and Insufficient 1. Drink any alcohol (more than a few sips)? □ □ follow-up) evidence 2. Smoked any marijuana or hashish? □ □ Risk factors- parental depression, co-morbid mental health or chronic medical 3. Used anything else to get high? (“anything else” includes illegal conditions, having experienced a major negative life event drugs, over the counter and prescription drugs and things that you sniff or “huff”) □ □ Tools-Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescent(PHQ9-A) Tools For clinic use only: Did the patient answer “yes” to any questions in Part A? &Beck Depression Inventory-Primary Care version (BDI-PC) perform less No □ Yes □ well Ask CAR question only, then stop. Ask all 6 CRAFFT questions Treatment-Pharmacotherapy – fluoxetine (a SSRI) is Part B Have you ever ridden in a CAR driven by someone □ □ efficacious but SSRIs have a risk of suicidality – consider only (including yourself) who was ‘‘high’’ or had been using if clinical monitoring is possible. Psychotherapy alone or alcohol or drugs? combined with pharmacotherapy can be efficacious.
    [Show full text]
  • Precocious Puberty Children with Spina BiDa and Hydrocephalus May Start Puberty Earlier Than Their Peers
    SBA National Resource Center: 800-621-3141 Precocious Puberty Children with Spina Bida and hydrocephalus may start puberty earlier than their peers. What is Puberty? If major breast development starts before age 8, it is considered early. (Sometimes girls will have some Puberty refers to normal body changes that lead to breast development, with no other signs of puberty. maturity and the ability to have children. Normal puberty This isolated change may be normal.) begins between ages 8 and 12 in girls and between 9 and 14 in boys. Hormones made in the brain control the timing and sequence of puberty. These hormones What are the stages of normal puberty in boys? stimulate other parts of the body to make sex hormones. The usual sequence in boys is: The sex hormones, especially estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys, cause sexual maturation. • The testicles grow larger. • The penis grows larger. What are the stages of normal puberty in girls? • Pubic hair grows. The physical changes seen in puberty are labeled by “Tanner staging.” Stage 1 is child-like (before puberty) • There is a growth spurt.rt. and stage 5 is full maturity. The usual sequence in girls is: • Other body hair grows.s. • Breasts start to develop. If boys show major developmentelopment • Hips widen and a there is a growth spurt that usually before age 9, it is considereddered lasts about three to four years. early. Early puberty in girls or boys is called • Pubic hair grows (three-to-six months after breasts “Precocious Puberty.” develop). • Other body hair grows.
    [Show full text]
  • Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome: a Closer Look
    Indonesian Andrology and Biomedical Journal Vol. 1 No. 2 December 2020 Post-orgasmic Illness Syndrome: A Closer Look William1,2, Cennikon Pakpahan2,3, Raditya Ibrahim2 1 Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya, Jakarta, Indonesia 2 Andrology Specialist Program, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga – Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia 3 Ferina Hospital – Center for Reproductive Medicine, Surabaya, Indonesia Received date: Sep 19, 2020; Revised date: Oct 6, 2020; Accepted date: Oct 7, 2020 ABSTRACT Background: Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition in which someone experiences flu- like symptoms, such as feverish, myalgia, fatigue, irritabilty and/or allergic manifestation after having an orgasm. POIS can occur either after intercourse or masturbation, starting seconds to hours after having an orgasm, and can be lasted to 2 - 7 days. The prevalence and incidence of POIS itself are not certainly known. Reviews: Waldinger and colleagues were the first to report cases of POIS and later in establishing the diagnosis, they proposed 5 preliminary diagnostic criteria, also known as Waldinger's Preliminary Diagnostic Criteria (WPDC). Symptoms can vary from somatic to psychological complaints. The mechanism underlying this disease are not clear. Immune modulated mechanism is one of the hypothesis that is widely believed to be the cause of this syndrome apart from opioid withdrawal and disordered cytokine or neuroendocrine responses. POIS treatment is also not standardized. Treatments includeintra lymphatic hyposensitization of autologous semen, non-steroid anti-inflamation drugs (NSAIDs), steroids such as Prednisone, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, hormones (hCG and Testosterone), alpha-blockers, and other adjuvant medications.
    [Show full text]
  • Trends and Patterns in Menarche in the United States: 1995 Through 2013–2017 by Gladys M
    National Health Statistics Reports Number 146 September 10, 2020 Trends and Patterns in Menarche in the United States: 1995 through 2013–2017 By Gladys M. Martinez, Ph.D. Abstract older, have older friends, and be more likely to engage in negative behaviors Objective—This report presents national estimates of age at first menstrual period such as missing school, smoking, and for women aged 15–44 in the United States in 2013–2017 based on data from the drinking (8–11). The younger the age at National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG). Estimates for 2013–2017 are compared first menstrual period and first sexual with those from previous NSFG survey periods (1995, 2002, and 2006–2010). intercourse, the longer the interval Methods—Data for all survey periods analyzed are based on in-person interviews young women will potentially spend at with nationally representative samples of women in the household population aged risk of pregnancy. Differences in age at 15–44 in the United States. For the 2013–2017 survey period, interviews were menarche across population subgroups conducted with 10,590 female respondents aged 15–44. In 2015–2017, the age range may help explain differences in timing of the NSFG included women aged 15–49, but only those aged 15–44 were included of first sexual intercourse and timing of in this analysis. The response rate for the 2013–2017 NSFG was 67.4% for women. first births. The relationship between age Measures of menarche in this report include average age at first menstrual period, at menarche and the timing of first sexual probability of first menstrual period at each age, and the relationship between age at intercourse in the United States has menarche and age at first sexual intercourse.
    [Show full text]
  • Review Article Physiologic Course of Female Reproductive Function: a Molecular Look Into the Prologue of Life
    Hindawi Publishing Corporation Journal of Pregnancy Volume 2015, Article ID 715735, 21 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/715735 Review Article Physiologic Course of Female Reproductive Function: A Molecular Look into the Prologue of Life Joselyn Rojas, Mervin Chávez-Castillo, Luis Carlos Olivar, María Calvo, José Mejías, Milagros Rojas, Jessenia Morillo, and Valmore Bermúdez Endocrine-Metabolic Research Center, “Dr. Felix´ Gomez”,´ Faculty of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo 4004, Zulia, Venezuela Correspondence should be addressed to Joselyn Rojas; [email protected] Received 6 September 2015; Accepted 29 October 2015 Academic Editor: Sam Mesiano Copyright © 2015 Joselyn Rojas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The genetic, endocrine, and metabolic mechanisms underlying female reproduction are numerous and sophisticated, displaying complex functional evolution throughout a woman’s lifetime. This vital course may be systematized in three subsequent stages: prenatal development of ovaries and germ cells up until in utero arrest of follicular growth and the ensuing interim suspension of gonadal function; onset of reproductive maturity through puberty, with reinitiation of both gonadal and adrenal activity; and adult functionality of the ovarian cycle which permits ovulation, a key event in female fertility, and dictates concurrent modifications in the endometrium and other ovarian hormone-sensitive tissues. Indeed, the ultimate goal of this physiologic progression is to achieve ovulation and offer an adequate environment for the installation of gestation, the consummation of female fertility. Strict regulation of these processes is important, as disruptions at any point in this evolution may equate a myriad of endocrine- metabolic disturbances for women and adverse consequences on offspring both during pregnancy and postpartum.
    [Show full text]
  • Sanitary Napkins
    SANITARY NAPKINS TAMPONS MENSTRUAL CUPS REUSABLE PADS MENSTRUAL CLOTH SANITARY NAPKINS/PADS TAMPONS MENSTRUALMenstrual CUPS Products & REUSABLEtheir Disposal PADS MENSTRUAL CLOTH SANITARY PADS SANITARYABOUT TOXICS LINK NAPKINS Toxics Link is an Indian environmental research and advocacy organization set up in 1996, engaged in disseminating information to help strengthen the campaign against toxics pollution, provide cleaner alternatives and bring together groups and people affected by this problem. Toxics Link’s Mission Statement is “Working together for environmental justice and freedom from toxics”. We have taken upon ourselves to collect and share both information about the sources and TAMPONSdanger of poisons in our environment and bodies, and information about clean and sustainable alternatives for India and the rest of the MENSTRUALworld. CUPS REUSABLERESEARCH TEAMS PADS Study & Report: Priti Mahesh, Chief Programme Coordinator Dr. Aakanksha Mehrotra, Programme Coordinator Inputs: Kopal Dixit, Programme Officer MENSTRUALField Study: Vinod Kumar Sharma, Programme Assistant CLOTH SANITARY NAPKINS/PADS TAMPONS Copyright © Toxics Link, 2021 All rights reserved For further information: Toxics Link H2 (Ground Floor), Jungpura Extension New Delhi - 110014, India Phone: 91-11-24328006, 24320711 Fax: 91-11-24321747 www.toxicslink.org SANITARY NAPKINS TAMPONS MENSTRUAL CUPS REUSABLE PADS MENSTRUAL CLOTH SANITARY NAPKINS/PADS Menstrual TAMPONSProducts & MENSTRUALtheir Disposal CUPS REUSABLE PADS MENSTRUAL CLOTH SANITARY PADS1 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
    [Show full text]
  • Puberty for Boys Page 1 of 3
    Puberty for Boys Page 1 of 3 Puberty for Boys Puberty is the time when a boy’s body grows into a man's body. How does puberty start? Puberty starts with a change in your hormones. Hormones start working on the testicles, causing them to make testosterone. Testosterone is the main hormone that starts the changes that happen when boys go through puberty. When does puberty start? The average age when boys start puberty is around age 11. However, it can start anywhere between age 9 and 14 years. The physical changes usually take place over 3 to 4 years. How do I know when puberty has started? The first thing you may notice is pubic hair. Soon after pubic hair starts growing in the area around your penis, the penis will start to get bigger. It will get longer and then thicker. Your testicles will also get bigger. The testicles make sperm as well as testosterone. (Sperm can fertilize a woman’s egg and make a baby.) The testicles are in the scrotum, which is the sac of loose skin below the penis. As you mature, the scrotum will hang lower and get looser. What happens to the rest of the body? Testosterone works on many parts of the body. In addition to pubic hair, you will start to have hair under your arms and more body odor. This is a good time to start using deodorant. Your voice will change. This takes awhile. Before your voice gets deeper, it may go through a squeaky period. You may get embarrassed by it, but it usually doesn't last more than 6 months.
    [Show full text]