Girls
What Is Happening To Me?
During puberty girls will experience all three changes that we have discussed and will have many other changes in their lives as well. Lets start with the physical changes.
Physical Changes
- Breast And Nipples Will Begin To Develop: You may start to find it hard to do sports or run this is because your breasts have began to develop. You will need to start wearing a bra. A bra is a piece of clothing that supports your breasts while doing sports and other day to day activities, you will need to wear one every day as your breast will continue to grow throughout the years to come.
- Pubic Hair Will Begin To Grow:
- Increased width of hips and depth of pelvis:
- Muscular Development And Growth Spurts:
- Acne Develops:
Your Period/Menstruation cycle:
Girls experience a stage of their life when it is time for their first period. A period is where your uterus sheds it's tissue. The tissue looks like blood when it comes out. It is a good idea to wear a pad or a tampon for protection during your period. The average cycle lasts 28 days, but anywhere between 21 and 35 days is normal. A period will last on average 7 days but they can also last in between 4-9 days. During your period you will notice that you are more tired then usual and that you may be a bit of a grouch and moody but this is all completely normal. Try to stay calm and chilled, you may be experiencing cramps in your stomach, to fix this all you have to do is talk to your mum or someone close to you about it and they will tell you what medication to take.
Girls experience a stage of their life when it is time for their first period. A period is where your uterus sheds it's tissue. The tissue looks like blood when it comes out. It is a good idea to wear a pad or a tampon for protection during your period. The average cycle lasts 28 days, but anywhere between 21 and 35 days is normal. A period will last on average 7 days but they can also last in between 4-9 days. During your period you will notice that you are more tired then usual and that you may be a bit of a grouch and moody but this is all completely normal. Try to stay calm and chilled, you may be experiencing cramps in your stomach, to fix this all you have to do is talk to your mum or someone close to you about it and they will tell you what medication to take.
Pads
Pads are rectangle shaped, absorbent material that you stick to the inside of your underwear. Some have extra material on the sides called wings. The wings fold over the edges of your underwear to hold the pad in place better and prevent leakage. You can also buy different types of pads for different stages of your period. For example there are overnight pads, which are longer at the back to prevent leakage overnight, There are also liners for days when you have a light flow or there are regular's which are recommended for a medium flow. Etc.
You should change your pad every 3-6 hours on average, to prevent odors and to stay comfortable.
Pads are rectangle shaped, absorbent material that you stick to the inside of your underwear. Some have extra material on the sides called wings. The wings fold over the edges of your underwear to hold the pad in place better and prevent leakage. You can also buy different types of pads for different stages of your period. For example there are overnight pads, which are longer at the back to prevent leakage overnight, There are also liners for days when you have a light flow or there are regular's which are recommended for a medium flow. Etc.
You should change your pad every 3-6 hours on average, to prevent odors and to stay comfortable.
Tampons
A tampon is also made of absorbent material, but it's pressed tight into a small cylinder shape. A tampon is inserted on the inside of the vagina. When inserting a tampon some have applicators, which are plastic or cardboard tubes that help put the tampon in place. Other tampons can be inserted using your fingers. Some girls use tampons as you are able to swim in them where as a pad you can not. You should change your tampon every 2-5 hours on average, to prevent odors and tss. Tss stands for toxic shock syndrome. Tss is a serious disease that is caused by toxin-producing bacteria that grows on your tampon if you do not change it regularly. Tss symptoms include:
Sudden high temperature, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Sunburn like rash, Muscle aches, Dizziness, Fainting or feeling faint when standing. If you think that you have Tss you should contact your doctor right away.
A tampon is also made of absorbent material, but it's pressed tight into a small cylinder shape. A tampon is inserted on the inside of the vagina. When inserting a tampon some have applicators, which are plastic or cardboard tubes that help put the tampon in place. Other tampons can be inserted using your fingers. Some girls use tampons as you are able to swim in them where as a pad you can not. You should change your tampon every 2-5 hours on average, to prevent odors and tss. Tss stands for toxic shock syndrome. Tss is a serious disease that is caused by toxin-producing bacteria that grows on your tampon if you do not change it regularly. Tss symptoms include:
Sudden high temperature, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Sunburn like rash, Muscle aches, Dizziness, Fainting or feeling faint when standing. If you think that you have Tss you should contact your doctor right away.
For more information on Tss look at this website:
tampax.com/en-us/tips-and-advice/period-health/toxic-shock-syndrome?
For more information about pads and tampons check out this website:
http://www.theperiodblog.com/
tampax.com/en-us/tips-and-advice/period-health/toxic-shock-syndrome?
For more information about pads and tampons check out this website:
http://www.theperiodblog.com/
Emotional Changes :
During puberty both female and male experience many emotional changes such as:
During puberty both female and male experience many emotional changes such as:
Confusion:
You may begin to feel confused or not sure what to do. You may find it hard to make the right choice even though it may seem obvious it is a lot harder than expected. You will also find the whole topic of puberty confusing and you may not fully understand what is happening to your body. Ways to better understand what is happening to you is to talk to someone about it.
You may begin to feel confused or not sure what to do. You may find it hard to make the right choice even though it may seem obvious it is a lot harder than expected. You will also find the whole topic of puberty confusing and you may not fully understand what is happening to your body. Ways to better understand what is happening to you is to talk to someone about it.
Frustration:
Small things will start to frustrate you. Things that aren't even worth it like you cant find the remote to the TV, or you cant pass that one level on the x box , or someone in your family just doesn't understand that all you want to do is to be left alone. These things that frustrate you will also make you angry so remember just because you think you are having a bad day doesn't mean that you need to go snapping at people. Sometimes it is hard but just try to chill out and if something is frustrating you then move on and come back to it later.
Small things will start to frustrate you. Things that aren't even worth it like you cant find the remote to the TV, or you cant pass that one level on the x box , or someone in your family just doesn't understand that all you want to do is to be left alone. These things that frustrate you will also make you angry so remember just because you think you are having a bad day doesn't mean that you need to go snapping at people. Sometimes it is hard but just try to chill out and if something is frustrating you then move on and come back to it later.
Mood Swings:
You will find that your mood swings will always get the better of you unfortunately. No matter how you try your emotions are like a train wreck during puberty especially when on your period. You will find it hard to control all your emotions and you will often find yourself switching how you are feeling in the blink of an eye, it is because during puberty your body produces more and more hormones which sometimes just seem to take control. Sometimes during puberty you may find yourself bursting out into tears for no apparent reason. Crying is a good way to let those emotions out, so next time you feel like you have a million emotions crammed up in you, put on a good sad movie and cry it out.
You will find that your mood swings will always get the better of you unfortunately. No matter how you try your emotions are like a train wreck during puberty especially when on your period. You will find it hard to control all your emotions and you will often find yourself switching how you are feeling in the blink of an eye, it is because during puberty your body produces more and more hormones which sometimes just seem to take control. Sometimes during puberty you may find yourself bursting out into tears for no apparent reason. Crying is a good way to let those emotions out, so next time you feel like you have a million emotions crammed up in you, put on a good sad movie and cry it out.
Sensitivity:
During puberty you will start to be a lot more sensitive. You will become sensitive to things such as your appearance, all the changes that are occurring to your life, people teasing or criticizing you and sometimes you will feel as if no one understands what you are going through. But guess what chances are that most people you know will understand, especially older people like you mum, aunty, nan, grandma Etc. As they would have all experienced the changes that you are experiencing right now, so never be scared or embarrassed to talk to people about what you are going through.
During puberty you will start to be a lot more sensitive. You will become sensitive to things such as your appearance, all the changes that are occurring to your life, people teasing or criticizing you and sometimes you will feel as if no one understands what you are going through. But guess what chances are that most people you know will understand, especially older people like you mum, aunty, nan, grandma Etc. As they would have all experienced the changes that you are experiencing right now, so never be scared or embarrassed to talk to people about what you are going through.
Sexual Feelings:
As you get older you will start to become interested in the opposite sex or the same it is entirely your choice. You may find yourself daydreaming in class about one guy or girl and what it would be like to kiss them, Or you may even plan out your dream life, what your kids would look like, what your house would look like, those sort of things. Don't think that you are doing something wrong if you are doing any of this as it is all natural and as you get older you will more then likely become more interested in boys/girls. Both genders experience sexual feelings. You may find yourself flirting more with boys/girls. sexual feelings are completely normal, and are a part of growing up. You will begin to form a sexual identity meaning you will begin to date people or go on dates.
As you get older you will start to become interested in the opposite sex or the same it is entirely your choice. You may find yourself daydreaming in class about one guy or girl and what it would be like to kiss them, Or you may even plan out your dream life, what your kids would look like, what your house would look like, those sort of things. Don't think that you are doing something wrong if you are doing any of this as it is all natural and as you get older you will more then likely become more interested in boys/girls. Both genders experience sexual feelings. You may find yourself flirting more with boys/girls. sexual feelings are completely normal, and are a part of growing up. You will begin to form a sexual identity meaning you will begin to date people or go on dates.
Social Changes
Social changes occur a lot during puberty as you find yourself wanting to fit in and wanting to be like the cool kids. You may also find that you have been experimenting with drugs, alcohol and sex due to peer pressure. Other social changes include:
Social changes occur a lot during puberty as you find yourself wanting to fit in and wanting to be like the cool kids. You may also find that you have been experimenting with drugs, alcohol and sex due to peer pressure. Other social changes include:
conflict with family:
You may find yourself starting to get into more fights with your parents and siblings as they may frustrate you, or they just don't understand how you are feeling. Try not to snap at them as it is usually not their fault and don't blame them for what is making you angry blame those hormones that are running your emotions a wreak. Remember that your parents have to cope with changes too so try and calm down next time before you flip out at them.
You may find yourself starting to get into more fights with your parents and siblings as they may frustrate you, or they just don't understand how you are feeling. Try not to snap at them as it is usually not their fault and don't blame them for what is making you angry blame those hormones that are running your emotions a wreak. Remember that your parents have to cope with changes too so try and calm down next time before you flip out at them.
peer pressure:
This can have a large influence on your life. Choose friends who have a positive attitude, who are there when needed and who encourage each other to work hard. if you chose a negative group of friends then your life is going to be very hard especially during puberty.
This can have a large influence on your life. Choose friends who have a positive attitude, who are there when needed and who encourage each other to work hard. if you chose a negative group of friends then your life is going to be very hard especially during puberty.
Increased independence:
While going through puberty you will become more independent, you will also depend on your parents less and take on more responsibility, make decisions, solve problems, work out life values and form your own identity.
While going through puberty you will become more independent, you will also depend on your parents less and take on more responsibility, make decisions, solve problems, work out life values and form your own identity.
Increased responsibility:
Puberty is all about the body maturing and getting you ready for your later life, that is why during puberty you will become more mature. You will learn many things such as, how to listen to others, to take some time to get to know yourself and what you think about things, that other people have a right to their own opinions, to stick to what you believe is right, and soon enough you will learn how to deal with the changes of mood that your hormones cause.
Puberty is all about the body maturing and getting you ready for your later life, that is why during puberty you will become more mature. You will learn many things such as, how to listen to others, to take some time to get to know yourself and what you think about things, that other people have a right to their own opinions, to stick to what you believe is right, and soon enough you will learn how to deal with the changes of mood that your hormones cause.
Risk Taking Behavior:
During puberty you will want to experience new experiences, risks and sensations this is because the self-monitoring, problem-solving and decision-making part of the brain is the last to mature. Making it hard for you to find your self control and to make good judgments. risk taking behavior may also lead to some bad choices like smoking or taking drugs. But that is why it is important to talk to your family and friends about these changes as they are probably experiencing the same change as you or they have already experienced them so they know what it is like.
During puberty you will want to experience new experiences, risks and sensations this is because the self-monitoring, problem-solving and decision-making part of the brain is the last to mature. Making it hard for you to find your self control and to make good judgments. risk taking behavior may also lead to some bad choices like smoking or taking drugs. But that is why it is important to talk to your family and friends about these changes as they are probably experiencing the same change as you or they have already experienced them so they know what it is like.
There are the main changes that girls experience during puberty. I may not have answered all your questions so I have provided a few websites I found useful while writing this website. Remember to talk to people, chill out and to have fun. I know at some points puberty may seem like the worse thing that has ever happened to you but just think one day you will be able to have children of your own, and they too will eventually go through what you are right now!!
Websites I Found Useful:
www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicCategories.aspx?p=289
raisingchildren.net.au/articles/brain_development_teenagers.html#risk www.health.wa.gov.au/docreg/Education/Population/Youth_Health/HP010367_girls_and_puberty_booklet.pdf
www.health.wa.gov.au/docreg/Education/Population/Youth_Health/HP010367_girls_and_puberty_booklet.pdf
www.theperiodblog.com/
odyb.net/discoveries/29-common-types-of-bra-designs-and-their-functions/