THINGS YOU SHOULD

KNOW
TOPICS:
 PUBERTY CHANGES
 MENSTRUATION AND

THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

 GOOD MORAL

CHARACTER
 So what is PUBERTY?
 Change from a child to an adult
 Puberty is the time of sexual

maturation and achievement of

fertility.
 Puberty is associated with

development of secondary sex

characteristics and rapid growth.
 HYPOTHALAMUS and the
PITUITARY

 These Glands start making a lot more of some

hormones including growth hormone, LH
(Lutenizing hormone) and FSH (follicle
stimulating hormone).
 These hormones act on other parts of your
body to make the changes happen.
HYPOTHALAMUS and PITUITARY GLAND
What LH and FSH do?
For boys: For Girls
 work on their testes  these hormones work

and adrenal glands on their ovaries

(glands next to the  to the adrenal glands,
kidneys) to make so that they make
androgens (sex more of the female
hormones) such as sex hormones such as
testosterone. estrogen and
 work on the testes so progesterone
that they start to
make sperm.
When does puberty happen?
 BOYS  GIRLS
 somewhere between  start anywhere
10 and 15 years. between the ages
 With quite a lot of of 8-13 years (and
boys the first sometimes earlier
changes start to or later)
happen when they  but often the first
are around 11 or 12 changes happen
years old. around 10 or 11
years.
What are the body changes in…
 What are the changes to
your body?
 growing taller (and getting bigger
feet!)
 changing shape
 getting hairier on arms and legs and
growing new hair under arms and in the
pubic area) - it starts out just a bit of
fine hair then gets thicker and darker
as you get older
 What are the changes to
your body?
 sweating more (and becoming a bit
smellier!
 getting oilier skin and often some
pimples
 having sexual feelings
 feeling 'moody'.
PUBERTY CHANGES
IN BOYS
CHANGES in BOYS
 Boys gain weight

 Shoulders get wider

 Muscles start to get

bigger and stronger.

 growth of body hair,

including underarm,
abdominal, chest, and
pubic hair
CHANGES in BOYS
 growth of facial hair

 enlargement of larynx
and deepening of voice

 increased stature; adult

males taller than adult
females, on average

 heavier skull and bone

structure
CHANGES in BOYS
 increased muscle mass
and strength

 broadening of shoulders
and chest; shoulders
wider than hips

 increased secretions of
oil and sweat glands,
often causing acne and
body odor
CHANGES in BOYS
 coarsening of skin
texture

 a prominent
Adam's apple

 on average, larger
hands and feet than
prepubescent or adult
females or
prepubescent males
CHANGES in BOYS
 Penis gets longer and
wider.

 Testes (or testicles)

get larger.

 'nocturnal emissions'
or wet dreams
CHANGES in BOYS
 You get erections
sometimes because
you're nervous or
excited and other times
when it just happens by
itself! This can be a bit
embarrassing at first
but other people don't
usually notice them as
much as you do and if
you don't think about
the erection
CHANGES in BOYS

 Breasts look like

they're
developing a bit
Yes, boys have
breasts…
 The breast doesn't grow any
more, but the swelling may hang
around for a few years while the
boy is going through puberty.
 Boys may feel very sure that
everyone can notice they have
'breasts' but in fact most other
people wouldn't notice at all.
 65% of boys will have some breast
tissue at some time, so if you
think you are growing breasts, you
need not worry about it.
 This breast tissue doesn't stay
there and will all be gone by the
age of 20, unless you are
overweight.
What you could
do?
 Ignore it
 Don't wear tight clothes if
you are worried that others
will notice and tease you.
 If you feel embarrassed you
can always wear a bigger
jumper.
 Wear a swim top or tee shirt
when you are swimming (this
will help protect from
sunburn too, always a good
idea!).
 Relax - you are not the only
one.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR
VOICE BREAKS?

 Larynx causes the pitch of

the voice change
 PARTS OF THE MALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Penis
 an elongated, mascular

organ found between the legs

in the groin area.
 Testicles or testes
 a pair of oval-shaped

organs that produce and

store sperms.
 Vas deferens
 a thick tube that

transports the sperm from

testicles to the urethra.
 PARTS OF THE MALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Scrotum
 a small sac of skin that holds
and protects the testes. It is
located at the base of the
penis
 Urethra
 the tube connecting the
urinary bladder and the penis.
It is where the urine and
semen exit.
 Sperm and gametes
 it is the male egg cell. The
whitish fluid that the male
excretes is called the semen
 Five Stages of Puberty
 Normal Age Range: 9-12
 Average: about 10
 Male hormones are becoming active
 Male hormones are becoming active
 Testicles are maturing, and
 some boys start a period of rapid growth
late in this stage.
Stages of Puberty: 5 Stages
 Five Stages of Puberty
 Normal Age Range: 9-15
 Average: 12-13
 Testicles and scrotum begin to enlarge, but
penis size doesn't increase much.
 Very little pubic hair at the base of the
penis.
 Increase in height and change in body
shape.
Stages of Puberty: 5 Stages
 Five Stages of Puberty
 Normal Age Range: 11-17
 Average: 14-15
 Penis width increases, as well as length.
 Testicles and scrotum still growing.
 Pubic hair begins to take adult texture, although
covers a smaller area.
 Most boys have first ejaculations.
 Underarm hair develops.
 Facial hair increases on chin and upper lip.
 Voice gets deeper
 skin gets more
Stages of Puberty: 5 Stages
 Five Stages of Puberty
 Normal Age Range: 11-16
 Average: 13-14
 Penis starts to grow in length, but not much in
width.
 Testicles and scrotum still growing.
 Pubic hair starts to get darker and coarser and is
spreading towards the legs.
 Height growth continues
 body/face shape look more adult
 Voice begins to deepen (and crack). Some hair
around the anus grows
Stages of Puberty: 5 Stages
 Five Stages of Puberty
 Normal Age Range: 14-18
 Average: around 16
 Nearing full adult height
 Pubic hair and genitals have adult
appearance
 Facial hair grows more completely
 shaving may begin now or.
Stages of Puberty: 5 Stages
PUBERTY CHANGES
IN GIRLS
 CHANGES in GIRLS
Bodies become curvier
and hip bones widen.

 There is weight gain

 Muscles get bigger and

stronger, but they do not
show up as much as boys'
muscles.

 decreased stature; adult

females shorter stature
than adult males, on
average
 CHANGES
widening of hipsin GIRLS
lower
waist to hip ratio than
adult males, on average

 changed distribution in
weight and fat; more
subcutaneous fat and fat
deposits mainly around
the buttocks, thighs and
hips

 increased secretions of
oil and sweat glands,
often causing acne and
body odor
 CHANGES in GIRLS
Bodies become curvier
and hip bones widen.

 There is weight gain

 Muscles get bigger and

stronger, but they do not
show up as much as boys'
muscles.

 decreased stature; adult

females shorter stature
than adult males, on
average
 CHANGES in GIRLS
enlargement of breasts

 growth of body hair,

including underarm and
pubic hair

 vaginal and uterine growth

 Menstruation (periods)
starts. You may get some
whitish jelly from your
vagina before or in
between periods.
What are breasts?
 Breasts are two
mounds of flesh
which grow on the
chest of girls as
they reach puberty.

 Inside the breasts

are glands which will
be able to make milk
if a woman has a
baby, and cells
containing fat.

 They feel a bit soft

and spongy and start
to grow when a girl
reaches puberty.
What are breasts?
 When a woman has a
baby, her breasts
produce milk to feed
her baby. All sizes of
breasts can produce
milk for the baby.
What are breasts?
 Boys have breasts
too, but usually
they stay flat.
Some boys develop
tissue behind their
nipples during
puberty, but this
flattens again when
they have reached
the end of
puberty.
 Growing breasts
 At first the breasts start to ‘bud’ [like a
flower] which means that a small bump
appears behind each nipple. It is normal for
your nipples to feel tender
 Next, the nipple and the circle of skin
around it [the areola] start to get darker
and bigger.
 Then the rest of the breasts start to grow.
 At first they may look a bit 'pointy'.
 As they grow they become rounder and
fuller.
 The size of breasts depends on two things.
 Growing breasts
 Your genes. If mum, or your dad's mother,
has large breasts then it is likely that you
will too.
 Your weight. If you are overweight then
some of that extra fat will go to your
breasts.
 Breasts usually start growing some time
between 8 and 13 years and can continue to
grow into a girl’s early twenties.
 In your class you may have some girls who
are still flat and others who are well
developed. It all depends on when you start
puberty and your genes.
TIPS ON:
 Buying a bra

 Getting the
right bra

 Wearing a bra
Buying a Bra
 Why wear a bra?
 bras protect and support breasts

 help to make you feel comfortable when you

are dashing around doing sport

 they can help a girl feel good by giving a

shape that she likes to her body

 they can make a girl feel less self conscious

when wearing tee shirts around those

'immature' boys in her class or friendship
group
Buying a Bra
 So what kind of first bra will you buy?
 Sports bras are a great first bra because they

are comfortable, they don't dig in anywhere

and they hold the breast firmly
 Under-wire bras can be good for girls with

large breasts as they provide more support.

 Getting the right bra
The main thing to know is your bra size
 Your bra size has two measurements,

 It is a good idea to be measured for

your first bra by the sales woman in the

bra department.
 you and mum can work out your size

using a tape measure.

Getting the right bra
This is how to do it:

 Measure round
your body under
your breasts 

 Write down the

measurement
Getting the right bra
 Now measure right
round again, but
this time bring the
tape over the
fullest part of your
breast (bust size).

 Write down this

number and take
away the first
number to find the
cup size that you
need.
Wearing a bra  Always try a bra on
and make sure that
it is comfortable
before you buy it.
Different styles fit
in different ways and
breasts are
different shapes.
You need a bra that
fits your shape.
At first it will seem
strange wearing a
bra but you will soon
get used to it.
Wearing a bra
 Wash it often

 Take it off at night.

 Feel happy that you

are growing into a
woman
Frequent Questions asked…
Do all girls get breasts?
 All girls do get breasts, although
some may be small. This can be
because of genes, because the girl is
a small person or underweight
or because the girl is an athlete and
trains hard.
What is the stuff that comes out
of breasts before the milk comes?
 When a woman has had a baby, the
first fluid is called ‘colostrum’ and as
well as being very good food for the
baby, it contains lots of antibodies
which protect the baby from disease.
class. I get embarrassed and feel like
people are staring at me.
What can I do?

 Don't worry. You have probably

developed early and your friends will
soon catch up over the next few
years.
 Remember:
 Breasts are signs
that girls are
developing into
women
 Everyone grows at
her own rate so
don't worry if
everyone else in
your class has
breasts and you
don't - you will in
time.
MENSTRUATION
and MENSTRUAL
CYCLE
 MENSTRUATION
 HAVING A PERIOD

 The word menstruation

comes from a Latin word
'mens' which means
month
 MENSTRUATION
 Menstruation is also
called menstrual
bleeding, menses, a
period or catamenia.

 The flow of menses

normally serves as a
sign that a woman has
not become pregnant.
FEMALE
Ovaries
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 two-almond shaped sexual glands which store millions of tiny
eggs. From the time a girl reaches puberty, the ovaries
alternately release one egg every month.
 Fallopian tubes
 a pair of long, narrow tubes where the egg travels from the

ovaries to the uterus.

 Uterus or womb
 a hallow, muscular organ where fertilization takes place and

where the baby grows until it is born.

 Vagina
 A long muscular tube which serves as the passage for

menstruation and the baby during birth.

 Ovum
 the female egg release by the ovaries every month
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Menstrual Cycle: What
happens inside the ovary
 About once a month, one egg leaves the ovary
(ovulation) and travels down the fallopian tube
towards the uterus (womb).
 While the egg is developing and traveling the
uterus starts preparing for it by building up its
lining with extra blood and tissue
 If the egg is fertilized by a male sperm, then
your body will use that 'nest' to protect and
nourish the egg as it grows into a baby.
 Menstrual Cycle: What
happens inside the ovary
 If the egg is fertilized by a male sperm, then
your body will use that 'nest' to protect and
nourish the egg as it grows into a baby.
 If the egg is not fertilized then it will keep going,
passing through the vagina and taking with it the
extra blood and tissue that wasn't needed. This
is what is called a 'period'.  A period usually lasts
around 4 -7days. The egg is so tiny that you will
not see it.
 About two weeks later another egg leaves the
ovary and the whole thing starts again.
 Menstrual Cycle: What
happens inside the ovary
 This menstrual 'cycle' usually takes 28
days, but it can be longer or shorter.

 When you start your periods they may

not be very regular at first.

 Everyone is different but over time you

will get to know what your cycle is like.
What can affect your
periods?
 Girls who do not have
very much body fat
may not have regular
periods or may not
start periods until
much later than others.
 Women and girls who
lose a lot of weight, or
suffer from anorexia,
do not menstruate
What can affect your
periods?
 Worrying or stress
 girls who smoke have
more painful periods
 main thing that makes
periods late or not
come is when a woman
is having a baby
Frequent Questions asked…
How will I know when it is
time for my first period?
 First ask mom when she
had first period
 Usually start at 12-18
months after your
breast starts to develop
 If you can see the
changes which mean you
are starting puberty
What if I start when I'm not
at home?

• Don’t worry you

will not start
with a great
flood
Do you get cramps when you
get your period?
 Many girls get
cramping pains in
their tummy around
the beginning of
some of their periods
- but not all girls get
them. Often the
cramps start before
you begin to lose
blood.
How will I know when would be my
next
menstruation?

 Menstruation
appears every 28
days.
What colour is your period
when you first start?

 dark reddish-brown
blood when you
first start,
 becomes a redder
colour after the
first period
 How long do periods last?
 Some girls have short
periods (they last about 3
days) but others have
longer ones ( maybe up
to a week).  Your pattern
will usually stay the same
once your periods get
regular (after about 6 to
12 months).  If your
period suddenly gets
shorter or longer, there
may be a health problem.
Ask your mother or
doctor.
 Do you always get pimples when
it's your
period?
 Some people do
find that they get
more spots around
the time their
period is due, but
everyone is more
likely to get
pimples during the
teenage years
because skin gets
oilier.
 Is it OK to wash your hair or go
swimming
during a period?
 You can go on having
baths or showers
and washing your
hair and doing all of
the other things
that you normally
do.
What if I accidentally got blood or
stain on my clothes,
sheets of a
friend's bed, etc.

 You can ask for help

from women or girls
around you and you can
always use your school
jumper (or your
friend's) tied around
your waist to get you to
where you can get some
help without being
embarrassed.
Washing blood
off clothes
 use cold water
 BASICS
OF
MENSTRUAL CARE
 The 6 basic of menstrual
care
1. proper diet
The 6 basic of menstrual
care
2. plenty of rest and sleep
The 6 basic of menstrual
care
3. Exercise
The 6 basic of menstrual
care

4. good
grooming
and
hygienic
habits
The 6 basic of menstrual care
5. sanitary protection
The 6 basic of menstrual care
6. socialize
MYTHS
and
FACTS
 MYTHS
MYTH:
ABOUT MENSTRUATION
 *A girl who washes her
face with menstrual blood
will have a smooth and
clear complexion.
FACT:
 *menstrual blood was
never intended by nature
to be a cure for pimples.
To keep your complexion
smooth and clear, you
must practice basic
hygiene such as washing
your face with soap and
water at least three
times a day to remove
excess oils.
 MYTHS
MYTH:
ABOUT MENSTRUATION
 *bathing and washing your
hair during your monthly
period will make you crazy.
FACT:
 *there are no medical

studies that prove washing

your hair during your
menstrual period will make
you crazy. In fact, during
this time, there is excess
build-up of oil in your skin
and hair, so it is important
to bathe and shampoo
everyday.
MYTH: MYTHS ABOUT MENSTRUATION
 *menstruation is “dirty blood”, so women are

unclean during their period.

FACT:
 *menstruation is not dirty blood. It is

composed of blood and the inner lining of the

uterus called endometrium that sheds off
monthly if no pregnancy happens. In fact,
this endometrium, before it becomes
menstruation, is full of nutrients that will
nourish the baby in case of pregnancy
occurs. To stay clean, just follow proper
hygiene, especially during you period.
 MYTHS ABOUT MENSTRUATION
MYTH:
 *eating sour food will

stop the menstrual flow.

FACT:
 *you can eat and drink

anything you like! Just

eat your meals regularly
making sure it’s the
right food.
 MYTHS ABOUT MENSTRUATION
MYTH:
 *vigorous exercises are

prohibited during one’s

monthly period.
FACT:
 *having your period

should not prevent you

from doing anything you
enjoy, including
exercising. In fact,
keeping active prevents
menstrual discomfort. So
you can bike, jog, do
aerobics, even swim if
you like! Just make sure
you don’t over do it.
MYTH:
MYTHS ABOUT MENSTRUATION
 *sit or jump from the

third step of the stairs

to shorted your period
to three days.
FACT:
 *each girl has her own

menstrual cycle lasting

anywhere from 3 to 7
days. Sitting or jumping
from the third step of
the stairs cannot
change that.
EMOTIONAL
and
THINKING
CHANGES
Changing Relationship
Changing Relationships
 Now that you are growing up
 you have to learn how to relate to
people as a young adult
 closer to your friends
 making new friends
 crushes, boyfriends/girl friends
Emotional Changes
Both boys and girls go through all sorts of emotional

changes at puberty.

 Sometimes I think that

society is a bit unfair on
boys here. Everyone knows
that girls can get emotional
when they are experiencing
hormonal changes and
starting menstruation, but
boys are also coping with
hormonal changes, although
usually a couple of years
later than the girls and they
sometimes get forgotten.
Thinking

changes
You're starting to choose your own standards,
form your own ideals, values and opinions. You
may question those of your parents, friends or
society in general. This is all part of the
growing up process.
 You're learning how to listen to others. 
 You're learning to take some time to get to
know yourself and what you think about things.
 You're learning that other people have a right
to their own opinions
 You're learning to stick to what you believe is
right.
Changing yourself
• You have to learn about responsibility
and compromise. Telling your parents
how you feel can help.

Parents are usually willing for you to

become more independent if you show
that you are also responsible.
Peer pressure
 Choose your
friends
 Family Conflict
 You may start to feel that:
 you want your own space and feel annoyed because your
brother or sister always seems to be hanging around or
always telling you what to do.
Family Conflict
 You may start to feel
that:
 your parents come into
your space like they did a
few years ago, but now
you want privacy.

Explain to them that you

are growing up now and
wanting some privacy is
part of this.
Family Conflict
 You may start to
feel that:
 your parents never
seem to trust you or
let you do the same
sort of things that
your friends all seem
to get to do.
 About crushes
 It is quite normal for kids to have
crushes. It is part of growing up and
learning about your feelings.
What is crush?
 Boys and girls have
'crushes'
 You may have a crush
on someone you know
of the same or
opposite sex as
yourself.
 You may feel really
strongly about a movie
star or pop star.
 What is crush?
 It may be someone
in your class or
school
 It may be someone
in your family.
 It may even be a
teacher
 Or may even be
your school nurses
Some of you might
be asking…
Why can't I talk to my
parents any more?
 The short answer is:

“But You Can!”

Why can't I talk to my
parents any more?
Reasons:
 They may feel suddenly older.

 They may need you to talk to them to

let them know how you are feeling

 They may feel worried that they are

not able to protect you as well as

they could when you were little.
What you can do:
Talk to them
Tell them how you feel and
what you would like then
LISTEN to their POINT of
view and try to work things
out.
Communication means
sharing and listening
Not
JUDGE and BLAME