Adolescence in Girls. What does a girl go through during puberty? In India a girl attaining puberty is often celebrated when she gets her first period.

Adolescence in Girls

What does a girl go through during puberty?

• In India a girl attaining puberty is often celebrated when she gets her first period. In many cultures it symbolizes the girl becoming a woman.

• But puberty is not all about getting the first period

• A girl’s body goes through many changes – some internal and some external during puberty

What are some of these changes?

• Internal– The girl’s ovaries and the

reproductive system start to develop

– Menstrual cycle begins

• External– Breasts start developing– Pubic hair develops– Hips widen– Monthly period happens

Development of breasts• During childhood girls’ breasts are very

similar to that of boys’• B/w ages 8 to 12 breasts mounds start

appearing and by the time the girl is 18 the breasts reach their full size

• At the end of the development, milk glands and ducts will be developed inside the breasts – but milk will not be produced unless a woman recently had a baby

• As breasts start developing most girls start wearing a bra. The bra is meant to provide support to the breasts especially for very large breasts so that the ligaments inside are not stretched. It is very important to choose an appropriate bra which is comfortable – neither too tight nor too loose. If the breasts are normal size then it might not be necessary to wear a bra

Mature breasts

Are breasts such a big deal?

• Many girls worry that their breasts are too large or too small and some worry about how fast or slow they are developing

• Girls in India also begin wearing half-saris or duppattas to cover their breasts as a sign of modesty

• Girls should understand that there is no such thing as an ideal breast. The media – magazines, movies etc reinforce the idea that men find a particular shape and size of the breast as more attractive. In reality breasts come in all shapes and sizes and it is important to be comfortable with one’s breasts

Pubic hair development

• The other more visible change for girls during adolescence is the development of pubic hair near the genitals

• Many girls are worried when they see the hair for the first time near the genital area so it is important for them to understand that everyone goes through this change

• Commonly it starts developing b/w ages 11 and 12 and it starts out as darker longer hairs. By the time the girl becomes an adult the hair becomes coarser and curlier and denser.

Pubic hair

Changes inside the body

• The female reproductive organs are – Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina

• The ovaries become larger during puberty and at later stages start releasing eggs. After a girl’s menstrual periods have started the egg is released from the ovary periodically until the woman reaches her forties or fifties

• During puberty a girl’s uterus grows to the size of her clenched fist.

• During this time the vagina becomes longer and wider and before the first period also produces a white milky discharge. This is perfectly normal and is the fluid that cleans the walls of the vagina. If the discharge changes color or has a bad smell then it is a sign of infection.

Menstruation

• The arrival of the first period is considered as the passage from childhood to womanhood in girls.

• If the egg released from the ovary is not fertilized by a sperm from a man, then the spongy tissue inside the uterus breaks down and bleeding begins

• The bleeding lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days.• Most girls get their first period between the ages of

11 and 14. It is normal for it to occur later or earlier, If a girl does not get her first period even after 16 years of age it is good to talk to a doctor

Preparing for the first period• The first period can occur anywhere – at school, home, in the

play ground – anytime – morning, afternoon, night. So it is best to be prepared for it

• Many girls notice small bloody spots or get a feeling of wetness. Sometimes girls do not notice it until it has soaked through the dress and is visible to other friends.

• One way to be prepared for it, is to carry an extra pair of underpants in case it happens away from home, or always carry a sanitary napkin or pad or a cloth and learn how to use it.

• One thing to remember is not to be frightened or embarrassed about the period. It is something that occurs to every girl.

The initial few periods• Periods usually occur once in 28 days and last for 3 to

7 days with an average of 5 days for most girls. But this again varies from person to person and anywhere between 23 to 35 days cycle is very common

• The initial few periods are usually not very regular and some women’s cycles are not regular even later

• Some girls find it helpful to mark their periods in their calendars so that it helps them prepare for the next cycle.

• Missing a period occasionally is not a cause for concern except if you are very underweight or if there is a chance that you maybe pregnant as a result of sexual intercourse. Some women miss periods due to excessive stress. It is important to understand the cause of stress and try and reduce it.

Days of bleeding

Chances of pregnancy is higher during fertile period. In these days the egg from the ovary is ready to be fertlized by a sperm from a man

What to expect during the periods?• Some girls may get headaches before a period starts• Some may experience “cramps” – muscular pains,

accompanied by sweating, nausea, stomach aches, pain in the breasts or backaches. Most girls outgrow this pain eventually. The intensity of the pain also varies from person to person. Taking rest by lying down, or using a hot water bottle on the stomach for relaxation can help ease the pain

• The amount of blood lost in 3 to 7 days varies from one girl to another. If you think you are losing a lot of blood, it becomes important to eat food rich in iron so that you don’t become anemic.

• Bleeding starts slowly, peaks in day 2 and 3 and slows down in day 4 and usually disappears by day 6. If you have excessive bleeding even on day 6 or 7 it is best to see a doctor.

Periods and normal activities

• Periods should not be a barrier to girls. Most girls can continue to do their normal activities even with periods.

• There is no need to stay segregated from other people during your monthly periods.

• There is nothing bad or impure about a girl having periods.• Personal hygiene during periods is very important. Having a bath

daily, changing sanitary napkins or cloth regularly are all essential during periods.

• If you are using a cloth to absorb the blood flow, make sure the cloth is properly washed and dried and frequently change the cloth to avoid infection

• It is also important to eat normal healthy food during the periods.• Once a girl starts having her periods she can theoretically become

pregnant. That does not mean that this is the right age for marriage. Girls need to develop emotionally and physically to be able to bear a child, which is why it is always advisable to postpone marriage till 18 or 21

How to handle adolescence in girls

Helping girls through adolescence• As we just saw a girl goes through so many physical changes

during adolescence• Along with these physical changes she also undergoes

emotional changes• It is important for adult women- be it the mother, the teacher,

an elder sister or an aunt to provide support to the adolescent girl, so that she can be better prepared for these changes

• In many places in India girls are not allowed to continue with their education once they attain puberty. This greatly inhibits their development

• Also marriage immediately following puberty or at age 15 or 16 can be very damaging to the girl physically and mentally

Being comfortable with our bodies • During adolescence girls start becoming more aware of their body

image.The media is very aware of this change in girls and will always try to thrust images of perfect women – maybe a movie heroine or a model – to sell numerous products to these girls. It is important to be aware that there is no such perfect image and be comfortable with one’s body.

Being comfortable with our bodies • While aspiring to be an actress or a model is OK, aspiring to look like

one off screen can be at the least frustrating• In real life women come in all shapes and sizes, in all colors, in all

kind of skin types. Aspiring for one particular body or skin type that is seen in movies or advertisements which is assumed to be perfect can be Frustrating, Expensive, Distracting, Could lead to loss of self confidence, Unhappiness

• Instead focus should be on eating healthy, doing excersise and taking care of one’s health – both body and mind

• Ultimately one should realize that one is liked and respected for one’s character and personality and not just one’s looks!                   

Dealing with boys • Boys start taking notice of girls, and vice versa and it is OK to talk

and become friends with members of the opposite sex. • When boys start paying attention to girls, very often the parents

scold the girls for not behaving modestly. But one should understand that such attractions are normal during adolescence and soon wear out.

• But when this harmless attention turns into eve teasing or harassment it becomes traumatizing to girls. Talking to adults in your family about such issues can be a good way of resolving this problem. Adults should understand that the solution to this issue is not to stop sending the girl to the school, but instead come up with a better approach – talk to the boy, make sure the girl feels protected going to school, maybe by sending her to school with a group of friends. But always keep the communication line open.