Big Changes

Pubic Area

The area below your belly button will undergo some pretty big changes during puberty

Pubic Hair

The appearance of hair in your pubic area and on your vulva is one of the first signs that puberty is beginning. Your pubic area is the V-shaped patch of skin between your hip bones and your legs. The folds of skin and tissue between your legs are the vulva. Before puberty begins, you may have no hair in these areas at all. Or you may have a few soft, wispy hairs. At the start of puberty, these hairs begin to grow and darken. They may or may not match the color of the hair on your head. Eventually they grow in more thickly, becoming coarse and curly and forming a triangular patch. As you get older, your pubic hair may spread down onto the tops of your inner thighs. Some women also get a trail of hair leading up to their navel.

Other Changes

You may notice a sticky discharge in your underpants. This discharge is coming from your vagina. (See pages 70 and 76–77 to learn more about the vagina.) The discharge is usually clear or whitish and has very little smell. If it looks greenish or has a strong odor, or if your vulva feels itchy or swollen, see your doctor. You may have an infection. To help prevent infections, keep the area between your legs clean and dry. It’s important to wash regularly to get rid of all the sweat and bacteria that gather there. Avoid bubble baths, heavily scented soaps, and scented toilet paper. The perfumes can irritate the vagina and the delicate skin of your vulva

Strip Clean

Take off damp or sweaty clothes as soon as possible. Bathing suits, tights, and leotards made of nylon and other synthetic fabrics can cause rashes and infections. Be sure to wash these garments frequently.

Get into Cotton

Whether you wear bikinis or briefs, buy underpants that are made of all cotton or have a cotton lining. Cotton breathes, or lets moisture pass through and evaporate. That means less risk of irritation and infection.

Fresh Start

Put on a clean pair of underpants at the start of every day and after every shower or bath. It’s the simplest way to stay fresh.

Period

The Basic Facts

So what’s a period, anyway? It’s short for menstrual period—the period of time each month when fluid containing blood flows out of the uterus through the vagina. The amount is small, only 4 to 6 tablespoons. This flow usually lasts two to eight days. Some girls have a menstrual period every 25 days. Other girls get them up to 40 days apart. All are normal. When you first start getting your period, though, the length of time between each period—and number of days the blood flow lasts—may change from one month to the next. After a while your periods will get more regular. At first, the idea of getting periods may seem, well—gross. But periods are a sign that your body is healthy and working properly. It’s preparing to do the grown-up work of having a baby someday. Every month your body practices for this by building a “nest,” a place for a baby to grow inside your uterus. The nest is a lining of blood and other fluid that builds up on the uterus walls. Because there’s no baby, the lining is shed and you have a period. It’s all controlled by hormones, the chemicals that change your body from little girl to grown-up woman.

Telltale Signs

Most girls start to get periods between the ages of 9 and 15. You can’t predict exactly when you’ll get your first period, but your body may give you clues that it’s on its way. Most girls start to menstruate, or get periods, about one to two years after their breasts have started developing and their pubic hair has begun growing in. Can other people tell whether you’ve gotten your period yet? Nope! Not unless you tell them.

When blood from the uterus passes through the vagina, you get a menstrual period

Your First Time

So the day comes when you get your period. It may announce itself with a bright red, rusty red, or dark brown stain in your underpants. What do you do? Don’t panic. Wipe yourself as well as you can. If you haven’t got a pad or tampon—or you don’t know how to use one—fold up a wad of toilet paper, Kleenex, or paper towel to put into your underwear. Find your mom, an older sister, or a woman you trust. Take a deep breath and say, “I think I just got my period. Do you have something I can use?” You may feel like crawling into a hole, but remember, getting your period is normal. There’s no reason to be ashamed. The older person will probably remember how it felt her first time and will be glad to help.

Keep a supply of pads or tampons on hand so you’re always prepared. Once you know you won’t be taken by surprise, you can R-E-L-A-X.

If your period catches you by surprise at school, ask a teacher or school nurse for help.

Buying Supplies

Deciding which “feminine hygiene” products to use can seem overwhelming at first, but your choices are actually pretty simple: pads or tampons. Pads fit into the crotch of your underpants and are made of layers of absorbent material that collect blood as it leaves your body. Tampons are inserted into the vagina and absorb the blood before it leaves your body. Both come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and absorbencies. You’ll probably need to experiment to find what works best for you, depending on the activities you do and whether your blood flow is light or heavy. You may want to keep different products on hand for different days of the month and types of activities.

Pads

Pads are convenient and easy to use. Some pads have a sticky strip on the back that attaches to your underpants. Others have wide “wings” that wrap around the edges of your underpants for added coverage.

Panty Liners

Panty liners, or panty shields, are very thin pads. They’re best for days when your flow is light, or when you suspect your period might start and you want to be prepared. Some girls like to wear a panty liner along with a tampon in case the tampon leaks.

Scented vs. Unscented

Most pads and tampons are available in both deodorant and nondeodorant versions. Deodorant products have perfumes and other chemicals to fight odor caused by fluids and moisture trapped in the pad or tampon. But they can also irritate skin and cause allergic reactions. You’re better off using unscented products and keeping yourself fresh by changing your pads and tampons regularly.

Tampons

Tampons are good for sports, especially swimming, because they’re worn inside the body. The vagina muscles hold the tampon in place so it can’t slip out. A string hangs outside your body so you can pull the tampon out. For more information about using a tampon, see pages 76–77.

When to Change It’s a good idea to replace your pad or tampon every two to four hours to prevent leaks and odor. If you have to go to the bathroom in the meantime, you can hold the string of the tampon out of the way so it doesn’t get wet. Never leave a tampon in place for more than eight hours—you could get a serious infection called toxic shock syndrome. At night, use a pad. Change pads right before you go to bed and again first thing in the morning.

What to Do with the Used One

Whether you’re at home or away, be sure to dispose of your used pads, tampons, applicators, and outer wrappings appropriately. This means wrapping pads in toilet paper and placing them in the nearest wastebasket. Some public rest rooms have a bin in each stall for this purpose. Never flush a pad down the toilet. Tampons can usually be flushed, but not all applicators. Check to see if the box says “flushable applicators.” If not, wrap the applicator in toilet paper and throw it out.

Is It Over Yet?

Once your periods become regular, which usually happens within one to two years, they should last about the same length of time each month. You’ll be able to tell when your period is winding down because the flow is usually heaviest in the beginning or middle and then starts to trickle off toward the end. You may not see any blood on the pad or in the tampon for several hours or even a whole day. The color may change, too—from bright red to brown. It’s a good idea to wear a panty liner for a day or two even after you think your period is over. If you go more than two days without seeing any blood, your period is probably finished.

Wrappers from tampons and pads go in the wastebasket— not down the toilet.

Keeping Track

At first, it can be tricky to predict when your periods will arrive. Use a calendar to keep track of when they start and end. After a while, your cycle should become regular enough for you to be able to figure out when to expect your period.

How to Insert a Tampon

For most girls, using a tampon is a little scary at first because it involves a part of the body that may be unfamiliar to you. But don’t worry. With patience and practice, you’ll be a pro in no time. Be sure to carefully read the instructions that come in the box of tampons, and remember the simple steps below.

1 Get Ready

Wash your hands. Remove the outer wrapper of the tampon. Hold the applicator tube with your thumb, middle finger, and forefinger, as shown. With the other hand, find the opening of your vagina. It’s just below your urethra, where urine comes out. Use your fingers to spread apart the vagina opening.

2 Insert

Insert the tip of the applicator, aiming at a slight angle toward your back. Relax your muscles. Guide the applicator into your vagina. Then push on the inner tube of the applicator with your forefinger. This will push the tampon all the way up into your vagina. Pull out the applicator and throw it away

A Closer Look

To get the hang of using a tampon, practice pushing it through its applicator. When you insert a tampon, put it in at an angle to follow the slant of your vagina. There’s no way the tampon can go into your uterus or anywhere else—there aren’t any openings that the tampon could get through.

3 Check Fit

The string should now hang down between your thighs. If the tampon is in correctly, you won’t be able to feel it. If it feels uncomfortable, it may be in crooked or may not be in far enough. Use your finger to push it up farther, or pull it out and start over with a new tampon. Wash your hands afterward.

4 Removal

When it’s time to take out the tampon, relax your muscles and pull down on the string. The tampon will slide out of your vagina. It’s not a good idea to flush the tampon down the toilet. Instead, wrap it in toilet paper and throw it out. Wash your hands when you’re through.

Tampon Tips

Try starting out with “junior,” “slim,” or “slender” tampons. They’re made for beginners and girls with small bodies. Some tampons don’t come with an applicator. They’re inserted with your finger. You may want to wait till you’re more comfortable with tampons before you use this kind. If you do use them, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after inserting them. Don’t use a tampon with a torn wrapper. It may not be clean, especially if it’s been bouncing around in your backpack for a while

What Is PMS?

Once you begin to menstruate regularly, you may notice some patterns in how you feel right before your period. Sometimes these physical and emotional changes are referred to as premenstrual syndrome, or PMS for short. It’s not a disease or an illness, just a natural part of your menstrual cycle. PMS is caused by hormones—chemicals that are released in your body at this time. The symptoms you feel can be a clue to when your period is coming, so you’ll want to pay attention to them.

Physical Signs

Up to two weeks before your period, your breasts may feel swollen or more tender than usual. You may also notice that your body feels heavier, even puffy, and that your skin is more prone to breakouts. All of these symptoms will go away after your period begins. You may also feel cramps in your lower abdomen or back before and during your period. The cramps are because the muscles of the uterus are hard at work.

Emotional Signs

Your periods can also affect your moods. Some girls feel tired, irritated, grouchy—more emotional—in the days leading up to their periods. If you find that your feelings are more intense during this time, know that this is perfectly normal. But when you’re feeling extra edgy, try not to unleash your frustration on family and friends. Instead, try talking to them about how you feel. Doing so may bring kind words of support just when you need them most. And don’t forget to treat yourself to some quiet time alone. Listen to music, take a walk, or write in a journal. You’ll be glad you did!

Your feelings are important, so pay attention to them. Don’t let anyone tell you they’re stupid or silly, or that they don’t matter

How to Feel Better

The best remedies for premenstrual aches and pains

are fairly simple: eat right, exercise, and treat yourself

to some soothing heat.

Ahhh—Heat!

A warm bath or a hot-water

bottle laid over your tummy can

help soothe cramps.

Medications

If headaches, backaches, or

cramps make you feel crummy,

there is medication at the drug-

store that you can try. Talk to

your mom or doctor to see

what she recommends.

Healthy Eating

Cut down on salty foods such as

pretzels and chips before your

period. Salt makes your body

retain water, giving you that

puffy, bloated feeling. Eat plenty

of fruits and veggies instead.

Exercise

Stay active! Exercise is a great

way to ease aches and pains

and to lift your spirits, too. A

brisk walk, a few laps in the

pool, or a bike ride in the fresh

air is always good medicine.

Body Talk

If you feel like your menstrual cycle is taking

you for a ride, don’t worry. In no time at all,

you’ll learn to take your periods in stride.

Tampons vs. Pads

How are you supposed to know if a

tampon is better for you than a pad?

It all depends on what you’re most com-

fortable with. Both are safe and reliable if

used properly, so you really can’t go wrong

either way. Some girls who play sports

prefer tampons because they don’t show

through a uniform or bathing suit, and they

can be worn in water. Some girls like tam-

pons because they keep you feeling dry—

you can hardly tell you have your period!

But other girls like pads because they’re

just plain simple to use. They’re easy to

change, and easy to know when to change.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with tampons

and pads to figure out which you like best.

Sneak Attacks

What if my period starts in school or in

church or in a public place and I don’t

have a pad or tampon? And what if it

leaks on my clothes before I can stop it?

If you get caught unprepared, don’t panic.

Make a temporary pad out of folded toilet

paper, Kleenex, or paper towel to put in

your underpants. Then ask the school nurse,

a teacher, or a friend if she has a spare pad

or tampon. Some public restrooms have

coin-operated machines where you can buy

pads and tampons. If you do leak, tie a

sweater, shirt, or jacket around your waist

to make a fashionable cover-up until you

can change clothes. Chances are, nobody

will notice a thing! P.S. Cold water is best

for getting blood stains out of clothes.

Miserable, Period.

I’ve had my period for a year now, and

I still haven’t gotten used to walking

around feeling like I’ve wet my pants.

I’m the only one of my girlfriends who

has it. My mom is here to talk to me

about it, but I don’t want to. I don’t

want to keep it to myself, either. I feel

like I don’t even want to grow up!

You sound lonely, scared, and uncomfort-

able, and that’s too heavy a load for any

girl to bear. For starters, it might help to

change your pad more often or consider

giving tampons a try. Both will make you

feel drier. Next, you need to screw up your

courage—every ounce you can muster—

and talk to an adult you trust. If you can’t

face your mom, pick an aunt, a teacher,

a doctor, or a school counselor. It may be

hard to imagine now, but talking it out with

an adult who has “been there, done that”

will make you feel much better.

Left Out

Everybody in my class has become

a “woman” and I am still just a “girl.”

When everyone talks about being

“women,” I just hang back.

It’s heartbreaking to feel that your friends

are leaving you behind just because their

bodies are changing at a different pace

than yours. But that doesn’t make these

girls “women.” There’s a lot more to being

an adult than getting your period and grow-

ing breasts. Still, your classmates may be

feeling excited about the changes they’re

going through, maybe even a little afraid.

And that’s why they need to talk about

them so much. Instead of feeling left out,

can you listen in? Ask your friends ques-

tions about their experiences. You may

get firsthand information that will help

you when your day comes.