Puberty, by Rachel Skin Care, by Meagan Hair Care, by Meagan Contradiction, A Poem Beware, A Poem

Puberty Puberty is a process all teenage girls have to go through, but at different stages in their lives. It starts when the pituitary gland in your brain sends a signal to your ovaries in the uterus to initiate puberty. And then begins,...The PUBIC PROCESS!! Breast Development: One of the first reactions in puberty is the development of...BREASTS! They will get bigger and faster in some, smaller and slower in others. This depends on your family's breast history, hormones, and your weight. Starting out as "buds", breasts are nothing more than small mounds under the nipple and the surrounding dark area, called the areola. As they develop, one may grow at a different rate than the other, but that does not mean you are abnormal! Your breasts will look more and more similar as they continue to grow.      Tenderness to the touch is also common in breast development, but that will disappear as they become rounder and fuller. Any stretch marks that may come during the growth of your breasts will lighten and fade with time, and hair on the areola is also likely to appear, but both are normal in growing breasts. When developing breasts, it is important to then take good care of them! Be sure to wear appropriate support (BRAS!) and to conduct a Breast Self Exam (BSE) regularly. Hair Growth: Hair around your pubic area and under your arms is usually the next thing in puberty, but its also common for teenage girls to experience pubic hair before breast development. Underarm hair growth usually follows pubic hair growth, toward the end of puberty. Also at the end of puberty, the hair that has grown will get thicker and curlier. PMS: This very popular acronym stands for Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, and it is a series of symptoms that females tend to get before and/or during their menstrual cycle. Symptoms include mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness, acne, cravings for particular foods, and others that are part of the list of 150 known symptoms of PMS! Although they are sometimes impossible to understand(!), they come and go within a few days.      The cause of PMS is anything but evident, but it seems to be a result from the making of two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, after ovulation. To deal with it, it is wise to exercise, eat healthily, sidestepping caffeine and a lot of salt, avoid stress, and get plenty of sleep. Any very severe symptoms should be discussed with a doctor or health care provider, and can be treated accordingly. Menstruation: A lot of teenage girls learn about their menstrual cycle first thing in SEX EDUCATION, and get annoyed when constantly taught the same things repeatedly, but here it is necessary to be recognized as a stage in the PUBIC PROCESS(!). For a lot of adolescent girls, menstruation, or "the period", is the mark of womanhood. Not only facilitating maturity and responsibility, but also fertility. Because of this probability, having sex becomes an important decision with numerous precautions. STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) are very popular these days, and it is important to consider and be aware of them. NO ONE IS IMMUNE TO STD'S!!! If the decision you make is educated, and you still plan on having sex, be sure to be safe. Contraception: Contraception is using methods preventing the dangers of having sex. It is VERY important to use protection so there is a less probable risk of getting pregnant or infected.      Different types of contraception vary depending on their effectiveness, cost, ease, and protection against STDs. The two most common examples are condoms and birth control pills, which provide protection against both pregnancy and infection.      Other examples include the female condom, the Depo-Provera shot, and some surgical methods that protect you for years at a time. However, these contraceptives can be more costly; anywhere from a few dollars more to a few hundred dollars more. ***Emergency Contraception      Emergency contraception, also commonly known as the "Morning After Pill" (M.A.P.), is a treatment used for females who have had unprotected sex within the last 72 hours. It can be thought of as a high dose of birth control pills, made up of many hormones that break the hormonal cycle necessary for your body in order to become pregnant. This treatment decreases the risk from 75% to 88%, but does not always work. If you consult a doctor or get information through the toll free number for emergency contraceptives, 1-888-NOT-TOO-LATE, you can avoid any risky consequences of having unprotected sex. Your First Pelvic Exam?!: A pelvic or gynecological exam is the method used by your doctor to examine your organs and check for anything abnormal or infections. Your first exam is usually done either when you turn 18 or when you start having sex; whichever comes first! Other than that, certain symptoms may indicate you need to have a pelvic exam: unexplainable pain around the pelvic/vaginal area vaginal discharge that burns, causes itching, or has an odor no period by 15 or 16 years old vaginal bleeding that lasts over 10 days missing your period, especially if you're sexually active severe menstrual cramps Because of this, even 16-year-old virgins may need a pelvic exam. A certain time cannot be designated as to when an exam should take place. It really depends on the individual and their lifestyle, as many things do. By Rachel Skin Care, by Meagan Hair Care, by Meagan Contradiction, A Poem Beware, A Poem Puberty

 

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