Puberty Sexual Health Relationships

Transcription

1 Puberty Sexual Health Relationships

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3 CONTENTS Title Page Contents 2 Introduction to Puberty 3 Physical Changes 6 What Happens to Girls 13 What Happens to Boys 22 Coping with Other Changes and Staying Healthy 29 Relationships and Sexual Health Matters 40 Key Points to Remember 46 1

4 INTRODUCTION TO PUBERTY Many people now mature at an earlier age. Puberty is the name of the time when your body starts to mature. It happens to both boys and girls and lasts for several years, from the age of around years up to the age of 18 or older. It involves all kinds of changes, both to your body (physical) and mind (emotional) but you will still be YOU!! Puberty happens in everyone but not at the same time. Changes occur in physical, emotional and social development. During this time of great change you, friendships, attitudes to others (of both sexes) and to your parents and carers all change quite dramatically. These changes are inevitable and are necessary for onward development into adulthood. Everyone s body clock is different which tells the body when to grow. This growth occurs not only on the outside, in height, weight etc. but also on the inside related to internal organs, for example the brain and reproductive organs. Young people are often aware of these changes and can worry if they do not appear when they are obviously happening in their friends. These changes occur over time and are not immediate. You may notice things like hair growth, spots, pimples and acne, moodiness, tiredness, greasy hair, sleeping a lot more, which are all related to the onset of puberty. Boys and girls need to know about the changes which occur in each other so they can appreciate some of the difficulties that each go through. 2

5 HOW PUBERTY STARTS This growth and development is influenced by hormones. Hormones are chemical substances made by glands in the body and which pass through the bloodstream. They have a powerful effect on growth and development and regulate the onset of puberty. These hormones will make you physically able to have or to father a baby. Hormones and Puberty Hormones are responsible for the changes in the body which occur during puberty. The testis in the male and the ovaries in the female become active and release testosterone or oestrogen. Testosterone A surge in levels of testosterone occurs at puberty and has a major effect on male characteristics. It is responsible for the development of facial, pubic and leg hair, muscle development and the growth of the penis and testicles and the deepening of the voice. Testosterone is also responsible for the development of sexual feelings and responses. Girls also have testosterone but not to the same levels as boys. 3

6 HOW PUBERTY STARTS Oestrogen and Progesterone Oestrogen and Progesterone are hormones produced by the ovaries at puberty. This signals the onset of menstruation in girls. Oestrogen is released first for about fourteen days, then progesterone for another fourteen days. When levels of progesterone fall, the girl has a period. Then the whole cycle starts again. These hormones cause the breasts to grow and the body to take on the typical characteristics of the female body. 4

7 PHYSICAL CHANGES Height Boys One of the earliest changes of puberty is that you suddenly grow taller very fast. When a boy is growing at his fastest, he can add 7 12cm to his height in a single year. Girls When a girl is growing at her fastest, she can add 6 11cm to her height in a single year. 5

8 PHYSICAL CHANGES Body Shape Boys When you start to develop, your hands, arms, legs and feet grow first. Your chest will broaden as your muscles develop. It is important to establish a healthy diet and exercise regularly to prevent excess weight gain. Girls When you start to develop your hands, arms, legs and feet grow first. As you grow taller, your body shape changes too. Females develop broader hips as their pelvic bones widen. This gives more room for a baby to develop in pregnancy. 6

9 PHYSICAL CHANGES Body Hair Hair grows on various parts of your body at puberty for boys and girls. Pubic Hair This is the first hair to develop during puberty. Initially it is soft but it becomes coarser and curly. For Girls Hair will grow on the arms, legs and underarms for cosmetic reasons some women will remove this with creams, wax or by shaving but it will probably grow back thicker and coarser than before. Never share a razor with anyone else! Very occasionally some women develop noticeable facial hair and choose to remove it but females should not shave, as their skin is more sensitive than males. For Boys Hair will develop on the arms, legs, armpits and sometimes on the chest. It is not always the same colour as the hair on your head. Facial Hair - A beard or moustache is usually one of the last changes at puberty. 7

10 PHYSICAL CHANGES Voice Changes As a boy s body grows, the voice box (larynx) also gets bigger and this makes your voice deeper. You can see this from the way your Adam s apple sticks out. Face Changes A boy s face also alters during puberty. Your nose and jaw bone both become more prominent and your hairline recedes. Skin Changes During puberty the skin produces an oily substance called sebum to coat the hair and skin to keep them supple and waterproof. Excess sebum can cause greasy hair, spots and pimples. 8

11 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY SKIN Wash your face twice daily with warm water. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Eat fruit and vegetables that contain Vitamin C kiwi, oranges and broccoli. Ask a parent/carer to help you choose a facial wash or cream if required. Visit you GP (family doctor) for advice 9

12 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY SKIN Sweat Glands There are numerous sweat glands in the underarms that can cause a person to sweat a lot if they are nervous or excited, playing sport or if the weather is warm. Deodorant works by slowing down the growth of bacteria on the sweat. Antiperspirants close some pores on the skin causing a person to sweat less. 10

13 PERSONAL HYGIENE Do I need to shower It is important to shower daily to get rid of dirt, dead skin cells, sebum, sweat and body products. If you don t wash your skin will develop body odour (BO) and it will smell. Boys need to gently push back the skin on the penis and wash behind it, this is known as the foreskin or it may become itchy and sore. You should also: Clean your teeth twice daily. Change your underwear daily and your shirt if necessary. Wear a clean PE Kit and shower after exercise. 11

14 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS Girls go through puberty too and their bodies change both inside and out just like you only in different ways. They start to have periods. Their breasts develop. They can have mood swings too. 12

15 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS Breasts Breasts develop at different rates during puberty, for some girls they will be obvious at an earlier age and others will worry that they are not going to develop or are too small or too large. They are related to a girl s image of herself and are associated with becoming a woman. One of the main functions of breasts is to produce milk for feeding a baby after birth. Breast milk is a baby s healthiest first food. It is important for a girl to get used to the shape, size and feel of her breasts so that through her life she will know if something is different or wrong with one or both of them. Breast Size Breasts are developed by the hormone oestrogen. Breasts and nipples may tingle or itch while they are developing, but this will stop once they are grown. Growth can be uneven so one breast may be bigger than the other. This may even out but commonly some women may have slightly differently sized breasts all their lives. 13

16 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS Wearing a Bra It s really up to you when you start to wear a bra. To ensure that you get the best fit try on different styles and makes. First/Teen bra Sports Bra T-Shirt Bra Multi-way bra Under-wired bra. 14

17 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS The Female Body Your ovaries contain thousands of tiny eggs and each month one of these tiny eggs will be released and move down the fallopian tube to the womb. The lining of the womb becomes soft and thick and if the egg is not fertilised, this lining and the egg come out of your body as blood, through the vagina. This is called having a period. Fallopian Tube Periods can start any time between the ages of 9 and 18, but the most usual time is about a year after breasts have begun to develop. Having your period is a normal part of a woman s life and is a sign that your body is healthy and working how it should. Before your periods start you may notice a yellowish or white stain on your underwear. This is normal and is called a Vaginal Discharge. 15

18 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS A period usually lasts between 3 7 days and you will lose about 4 6 tablespoons of blood each month. Your period might be lighter or heavier than your friends. Everyone is different. If you are worried that is very heavy or prolonged, talk to your parent, carer, GP or school nurse. Periods may not be regular at first but eventually they should occur about once a month (approximately every 28 days). This is known as the Menstrual Cycle. You will continue to have periods throughout your adult life until approximately 50 years of age. 16

19 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS What to Wear for Protection Towels Come in different sizes and thickness and are chosen according to body shape and heaviness of period. Panty Liners These can be used at the start or end of a period when the flow is lighter. Tampons Also come in different sizes and are chosen according to period flow. They are inserted into the vagina to absorb the flow of blood. Certain brands have an applicator to ease insertion. It is advisable when using tampons to change them regularly because of the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. Make sure to wash hands before and after inserting a tampon. 17

20 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS Disposal of Sanitary Wear Remember the following: Change sanitary pad/tampons frequently. Public toilets dispense sanitary towel/tampons. Carry sanitary bags for disposal if there is no bin available. Never flush sanitary pads down the toilet! Wash hands before and after using sanitary wear. Your school will have a contact person if you need help. 18

21 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS How to Cope with Periods Painful Periods Some women get an ache or cramp like pains in their lower abdomen at the start of a period. To ease the pain you can: Take pain relief (ask a parent). Have a warm bath. Exercise. Place a hot water bottle on your tummy. Premenstrual Tension (PMT) Symptoms of PMT may include sore, swollen breasts, a bloated heavy feeling in the abdomen, headaches, spots, feeling tired, irritable and depressed. To relieve symptoms you can: Eat a healthy diet. Drink plenty of water. Exercise. Relax listen to music, have a bath or chat to friends. 19

22 WHAT HAPPENS TO GIRLS Irregular Periods May occur as hormone levels are not in a regular rhythm for the first year or two. Stress, worry, being ill and upset may have an effect on your menstrual cycle. Periods - Myths/Truths Losing blood during your period does not make you weak. Periods don t need to put you in a bad mood. You don t need to stay in bed because you have your period. You can go swimming, do PE, shower, bath and wash your hair as normal. It will not be obvious to other people that you have your period. 20

23 WHAT HAPPENS TO BOYS Boys go through puberty too and their bodies change inside and out just like everyone else only in different ways. The voices break. They develop facial and body hair. They begin to shave. They can have mood swings too!! When can I start to shave? At first you will notice some fine hair on your lip and chin. You can choose when you start to shave but it will be a while before you need to shave every day. Ask your Dad/Carer, an older brother or a friend to help you choose a razor. Never share a razor with anyone else! 21

24 WHAT HAPPENS TO BOYS Skin Changes During puberty the skin produces an oily substance called sebum to coat the hair and skin to keep them supple and waterproof. Excess sebum can cause greasy hair, spots and pimples. Keeping the skin clean helps to keep spots and acne at bay. Remember eating a healthy diet also helps! Genital Changes Your penis becomes thicker and longer and your testicles get bigger. Sometimes during puberty, the foreskin on the penis can become tight and consequently sore to push back or when pushed back, sore to return. If you have any difficulties or worries about this, ask to see your GP to get it checked out. Testicles begin to make sperm and you will be physically able to father a baby. 22

25 WHAT HAPPENS TO BOYS One testicle may look different to the other this is normal. It s important for boys to know the shape, feel and size of their testicles so that they recognise of something doesn t feel right or when something is wrong. If you are worried about anything you can always talk to your GP to get help, advice and reassurance. 23

26 WHAT HAPPENS TO BOYS Circumcision All males are born with loose skin covering the end of their penis, called the foreskin. Some males have their foreskins removed by a doctor or specially trained religious person. This is called circumcision. Before procedure After procedure Foreskin is cut along dashed line Foreskin is removed 24

27 WHAT HAPPENS TO BOYS Erections Your penis may get an erection (when the penis goes hard) this can happen at any time but often in the morning this is normal. Ejaculation During sleep the penis may become erect and ejaculate (squirt out) a small amount of semen. This is known as a Wet Dream it is nothing to worry about, it is perfectly normal, your body is adjusting to new ways of working. 25

28 WHAT HAPPENS TO BOYS Ejaculation During sleep the penis may become erect and ejaculate (squirt out) a small amount of semen. This is known as a Wet Dream it is nothing to worry about, it is perfectly normal, your body is adjusting to new ways of working. Who or what can help?????? At home it is important to discuss puberty and development issues with a trusted adult (parent, carer, brother/sister etc). 26

29 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY Moods At times you may feel moody and irritable without really knowing why. Changes in your body s hormone levels can be partly to blame for this. Your moods will go up and down. If you continue to feel down you must seek help and talk to someone!! How you behave will cause a reaction in other people positive or negative. Remember they are reacting to your behaviour and not to you!! 27

30 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY Sleep You may find that you need quite a lot of sleep at puberty because you are growing fast and using up so much energy. Most year olds need about 10 hours sleep a night and year olds about 9 hours. The best guide to how much sleep you need is the way you feel. 28

31 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY Independence As you grow up you want to take more responsibility for your own life and actions and your relationships with the people around you. You will want to be allowed to make your own decisions and you won t want to be treated like a child, you want to become more independent. To be independent means that you are able to act from a place of freedom from control, influence, support or help of others, but this takes time. You want to rely more on yourself and less on the adults in your life. This is a normal part of growing up and can lead to arguments and can be tough at times especially as your parents/carers are also adjusting to the fact that you are becoming more independent. An important part of becoming independent is making and taking decisions. All young people (and adults too) make good and bad decisions. The important thing is to learn from your decisions. Good decisions help you to get a clear understanding of your abilities; bad decisions, teach you about what doesn t work. Here are some points to help you on the way to becoming independent: Talk about what you want and negotiate the boundaries for this Ask, don t tell, how something is going to be - especially ask question using what and how words; why questions can sometimes lead to conflict and frustration Focus on finding solutions to problems and come up with workable solutions yourself Don t be too hard on yourself if you make a mistake - take responsibility for it and then ask yourself what you can learn from it. 29

32 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY Identity Young people need to develop a sense of self and of personal identity. This is a normal process that starts and continues during adolescence. As you make the transition from childhood to adulthood you might begin to feel confused or insecure about yourself and how you fit into society or with your friends. As you try to establish a sense of yourself you might try different roles, activities and behaviours. Thinking about what kind of person you are and about what you want to do in the future is an important part of growing up. You might find yourself asking who am I because you might find that you act one way with a particular group of friends and completely different with another group. Again this is normal and is related to the hormonal changes which are happening in your body. You not only look but also feel different - you are undergoing a transformation! You may also find that you compare yourself to everyone else and check your progress with others. Remember that everyone goes through this process of puberty, of developing an identity and independence, but at different rates, we all get there in the end! A certain amount of rebellion against authority, experimentation with image and attitude to find out what you want and how to go about getting it is normal with limitations; but remember that keeping yourself safe and well is the most important thing and agreeing boundaries with your parents/carers for what you want to do is more likely to give you the outcome you want in the end. 30

33 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY In this way parents/carers are more likely to recognise and respond positively to letting you have more responsibility for your decisions and will let you have more freedom to make your own choices when they see you are adopting a more mature attitude to yourself and your safety, they are more likely to let go! Friendship Friendship means giving, caring and sharing. What qualities do you look for in a friend? You may develop a close group of friends but be aware that you do not need to always do what the rest of the group do, especially if it is something that you feel uncomfortable or unhappy about. It is important to treat other people as you would like to be treated. 31

34 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY Healthy eating A healthy diet can help you to look and feel great. Your body needs energy and nutrients from food to grow and work properly so if you don t eat a healthy balanced diet you could be putting your health and growth at risk. Why is it important to eat a healthy diet? To provide energy To keep the hair and skin looking great To fight off disease and prevent obesity. For cell growth and repair To maintain healthy muscles, nerves, bones and blood vessels. Eating in a healthy way doesn t mean you have to give up all your favourite foods, you just have to eat a range of different foods to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs and the right number of calories for how active you are. It s a balancing act - you balance the food that you eat with the energy you use up. If you eat or drink more than you use up, you will put on weight and if you eat and drink too little you will lose weight. 32

35 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY Eatwell Plate Use the Eatwell plate to help you get the balance of foods right. It shows how much you should eat from each food group to be healthy. The eatwell plate Use the eatwell plate to help you get the balance right. It shows how much of what you eat should come from each food group. Fruit and vegetables Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods Meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein Foods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar Milk and dairy foods Department of Health in association with the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland All the food we eat can be divided into five groups. A diet based on a balance of these foods as outlined on the Eatwell plate will give you all the nutrients you need. 33

36 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY These are: Fruit and vegetables Starchy foods such as, potatoes, pasta, rice, bread Meat, fish poultry, eggs and beans Milk and dairy foods Foods containing fat and sugar. So despite what you see on TV or in diet books, healthy eating can be really easy and straightforward. Remember some key messages to help you stay healthy: Eat at regular intervals - try to eat three meals a day and limit sugary snacks in between meal. Start the day well with breakfast. Aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Choose wholegrain cereals, pasta and rice. Cut out added sugar by avoiding sweets, cakes, biscuits, chocolates etc. 34

37 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY Exercise and staying healthy Exercise is really good for you. There s much scientific evidence that shows that being physically active can help you to be healthier and happier and it doesn t have to cost anything! It s important to take some form of exercise every day because we know that inactivity associated with for example: watching TV or gaming for long periods of time, is bad for your health. Some of the benefits of exercise include the following: Boosts self-esteem Improves mood Improves sleep Gives you more energy Reduces stress It s fun and enjoyable. As well as the above it also makes the muscles of your skeleton and heart (which is a muscle too!) stronger and strengthens your bones and lungs. It helps you avoid a range of illnesses as you get older. It s really easy and enjoyable. You can do any of the following: Walking fast Running Riding a bike Swimming A game of football, basketball, netball, hockey etc. with your friends. 35

38 COPING WITH OTHER CHANGES AND STAYING HEALTHY So remember, try to do something every day that raises your heart rate and gets you active, you ll feel good, you ll look good and you ll reap the benefits for years to come! 36

39 RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS Feelings and sexual intimacy Sexual attraction is an intense experience and can blind you to the reality of who the other person is. This can result in the young person being intimate with someone they realise they do not really like. Being sexually close to someone is tied up with the physical sensations of sex, the often strong feelings of being in love with your partner and the emotional needs of wanting to feel closer to this person and show these feelings in a very intimate way. The powerful nature of the feelings which occur when having intercourse, or even when considering having intercourse, often reduce the ability to clearly think through the consequences of sexual intercourse. Therefore it is important that you and your partner have talked about pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, birth control and have discussed and agreed that you both want to have intercourse. If you and your partner are not ready or able to have this conversation, it may suggest that you and your partner may not be ready to make that choice. To help you think clearly about the consequences on your body and your feelings about having sexual intercourse, it may be useful to discuss these issues with a safe adult (patent, older sister/brother, Aunt, carer) ahead of time, before you find yourself in a position of having to make a last minute decision. Remember, even if you and your partner have discussed these issues, and even if you both have agreed together it s what you both want, it still is okay for you to change your mind if you find the experience either physically or emotionally uncomfortable. 37

40 RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS Another useful way for you to consider the consequences of full sexual intercourse is to consider how far you want to take things from kissing to full sexual intercourse. You can decide how far you want to go, if it is in your best interests and have given thought to the consequences of intercourse. Remember: AT ANY TIME NO MEANS NO. Sexual intercourse occurs when the fully erect penis is inserted into the vagina and semen which carries sperm is ejaculated into the vagina. *Remember that you can still get pregnant even if the male withdraws before ejaculation. Sperm travels through the womb to the fallopian tube where it can meet an egg that has been released from an ovary. If the egg and sperm join, fertilisation can occur which can result in a pregnancy. In addition, if one or other partner has a sexually transmitted infection it can be passed on through the semen or vaginal fluid of the infected partner. It can be helpful to know that being sexually intimate with someone does not mean always having sexual intercourse. Touching each other can give good physical feelings of sex without intercourse. It is important to know that orgasm will not always occur in sexual intercourse. 38

41 RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS Sexuality and sexual preferences Gender is related to our physical self, men have a penis and women have a uterus; gender roles are strongly influenced externally by society and how men and women should act. Sexuality on the other hand, comes from within the self and is not bound by our physical make-up. It expresses the kind of people we are sexually attracted to. Heterosexual men and women are attracted to members of the opposite sex (sometimes referred to as straight). Homosexual men and women are attracted to the same sex (often referred to as gay for men and lesbian for women). Bisexual men and women are attracted to both the same and opposite sex. There is no right or wrong sexuality and as young people grow and develop they may feel confused at times about their sexuality, sometimes feeling attracted to members of the same sex. This does not mean that the young person is or is not gay, lesbian or bisexual. The important thing to focus on is what feels right and comfortable, not only sexually but also on an emotional level who you feel you connect with on a consistent basis at an emotional level. 39

42 RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS A proviso for young people who are experimenting with their sexuality is that they should not make absolute assumptions based on one sexual encounter. Sexuality can be fluid and sexual preferences can shift not only during teenage years but also through a lifetime. Key points to remember Respect Be safe Always Never Consent If you do not respect yourself, do not expect others to respect you, choose your friends wisely and only those who have your best interests at heart. Always let your parent, carer or other friend know where you are going and when you will return. If you end up going somewhere other than where you said you were going, let your parent, carer or friend know of your change of plan. Have your phone and make sure that it is charged and topped up. Go anywhere with people you do not know, regardless of how friendly they appear. Wait until you know them better and have judged your friendship with them and decided that they will be a good friend to you. Always make sure you have consented to sexual intercourse, this means having said yes and meant it, you cannot do this if you have taken drugs or have been drinking alcohol because these substances diminish your ability to assess the consequences of the situation and to give your informed consent. 40

43 RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS For sexual intercourse to be lawful you both must be over the age of 16, you both have agreed to it and you were not promised anything in return for intercourse. Remember you can always say no to sexual intercourse or any sex that you don t want. The law does not recognise your ability to consent if you are under 16 years of age, therefore you and your partner will be committing a criminal offence if you have sexual intercourse below the age of 16. If your sexual partner is aged 18 and you are below 16 years of age this again is against the law. Phones Media Touch Do not ever video, photograph or text sexualized images of yourself or others. Media images of what young men and women do sexually are not real, they are storylines in a plot and are made up for television, you do not have to behave in the same way as is depicted in magazines, TV, movies etc. Always make sure you are happy and have consented (said yes ) to being touched in an intimate way within your relationship. Intimate or sexual touching is not a given in any relationship, it has to be mutually agreed. It is always okay to say no at any time to any touching you do not want and your right to have this respected. Always seek the help of your parent, carer, teacher, GP or other trusted adult if your rights have not been respected and you have been forced against your will to do things you did not want to do or did not consent to do. 41

44 RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS The age of sexual consent in the UK for heterosexual and nonheterosexual sex is 16 years. This exclusion does not apply to information about offences against children under 13 years, which must still be reported. It is an offence to engage in any sexual activity with a child under 13 years of age. STI s If you are or decide to be sexually active always use a condom to help avoid sexually transmitted infections (STI s). Get advice, information, condoms and contraceptives free of charge from your local contraceptive and sexual health service or talk to your GP. You can attend your local Genitourinary Medicine clinic if you are sexually active to get a sexual health check-up and discuss any worries you may have regarding STI s. If you need help in getting information on any of these services ask a trusted adult (parent, carer, brother/sister etc.) to assist you. 42

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