Adolescence is a synonym of teenage. It refers to the transitional stage of childhood to adulthood. This period marks the onset of puberty from the age of 10 years to the attainment of adulthood at the age of 19 years. Here is an article about teenage heath of girls and steps to take for healthy mental and accomplished physical growth. (1)
What Are Stages of Adolescence?
There are three stages of adolescence based on developmental stages:
- Early adolescence – Age between 10 to 14 years.
- Middle adolescence – Age 15 to 17 years.
- Late adolescence or young adulthood – 18 to 19 years. (2)
What is Puberty for Girls?
During the teenage, a person attains puberty. Puberty for girls marks her sexual maturity. This is the stage when a girl blooms to a woman. Her physic, mind, and personality undergo a series of changes. Hence, in this stage parents must be very careful in treating their daughter. Medical assistance must be taken to ensure a healthy future. Emotionally, they also need better care and understanding to shape up the personality. (3)
Signs of Puberty
Puberty age in a girl manifests with some physical development associated with hormonal changes. Those are as follows:
- Development of Breast Buds – This marks the first sign of puberty in a girl. A nickel-sized small flesh mound or bump develops under the nipple. It remains tender and sore with uneven growth on either side. Papilla or nipple elevates slightly. The areola or the different coloured skin around the nipple increases in size. Gradually the breast enlarges with elevation in size of the nipple.
- Growth of Pubic hairs – Pubic hair grows around the armpit and urogenital area. Hairs on the lower part of limbs also grow.
- Wider hip – The buttocks get wider, spreads in shape and soft adipose tissue grows on it with fat deposition.
- Increase in height & weight – Both height and weight develop. Arms, legs , and body increases in shape and size.
- Change in skin texture – With hormonal changes the texture of skin changes. The muscle tone becomes firm with increased elasticity in the skin. In some girls, the skin becomes very oily and acne problem starts.
- Menarche – Gradually the adolescent girl attains her first menstrual cycle with first menstrual flow, which is medically termed as menarche. The general age of menarche is 10 – 16 years of age. (4)
What Is Menarche & Menstrual Cycle?
Menarche is the first menstrual flow in a girl’s life. It refers to the discharge of blood from the vagina, which lasts for consecutive 3 to 5 days in a month.
The menstrual cycle is a period of 28 to 32 days that accomplishes a total procedure of release of the ovum. A new cycle starts with a new menstrual flow or period that lasts for 3 to 5 days. Between 12-14 days of a cycle, a new ovum gets released from the ovary and waits for 12 to 24 hours to get fertilized. In between, if it is not fertilized by male sperm, then it gets shed off with the flow of blood.
Every girl is born with ovums or eggs in the ovary. During puberty, the ovary releases oestrogen and progesterone hormone. Therefore, once a month, after every 28 to 32 days ovary releases one ovum. (5)
I have often found many girls questioning why is my period so heavy this month? There can be several reasons for the same. In such a case, one should immediately take medical assistance to ensure a healthy reproductive system.
Some Personal Experiences to Safeguard My Dear Readers
Teenage is a very subtle and sensitive period in a lifetime of a girl. She needs special care to ensure a healthy body and well-developed body with perceiving mind that can lead to an overwhelming personality.
Also Read – Welcome to the Blog Page – The Healthy Women
Precautionary Medical Assistance –
My mother had been very careful in nurturing me and my sister in this stage. On marking the signs of teenage in me, she took precautionary medical assistance to assure healthy growth, menstrual cycle, development of physic, and lot more.
Till date, I have a regular, on-time period with slight menstrual cramps and no other complications. I thank my Mom and the doctor who had prescribed some precautionary medicines to keep me healthy.
Education about Puberty
All girls must be given proper education about puberty and its resultant physical and hormonal changes. What is a period or menstrual flow? A girl must know that before she attains it. In Indian culture, this is yet a secret!!!
Horrified Menarche vs Happy Menarche
I remember, my menarche was not noticed by my mom on the lazy winter afternoon. And I went to play with my friends without knowing that I am bleeding and my dress is drenched in it. I was horrified, nervous, and anxious after being notified by friends!! A next door aunt rescued me and explained.
As I was just 9 years, and none of my friends experienced it before me, so I was simply unaware of it.
Hence, I humbly request my readers to give the basic knowledge to their teenage girls so that they can have happy careful menarche.
Yoga & Exercises –
Thanks to my Mom again, to enlighten our mind and body she had cynosure on this vertical as well.
Apparel –
Teenage is the transitional stage between childhood and adulthood. Hence, the choice of dresses in this period is highly important.
Lingerie
Lingerie for teenagers is a decisive factor that elevates proper growth of female body parts, like breast, hip, and comforts genital area.
In my case, the signs of puberty arrived a little earlier than my friends. I remember, when I was in 4th standard, on annual day function at school I had been part of a group dance. And I felt very embarrassed when others looked at me differently. I cried a lot to mom, without even being able to express my awkwardness.
Like an angel, Mom solved my problem. She bought a 2-in-1 teenage bra with comfortable cotton straps, soft cotton made round padded cuffs, and long attached lower part like a frock.
It was easy to wear under any dress, do not feature out like a bra. It was customized lingerie that ensures to keep the breast uplifted.
I often see adolescent girls who are not much aware of their changing physic are unable to take care of themselves. Therefore, while playing on school grounds they feel embarrassed.
They are not aware that wearing a sports bra during a games class in school will keep the chest muscle tone to feature an uplifted breast in the right shape. In this prospect, the special lingerie given by my mom was as careful as she is!
It is said that the Breast is the Feminine Pride. Overgrowth or undergrowth may affect the personality and self-esteem. Hence, all mothers must be careful in all aspects of this matter. Take medical suggestions or choose the right lingerie to let your daughter be happy and healthy.
The Take Away
A teenage girl or boy is the future of the next generation. Hence, parents, teachers, and guardians must be very careful in their upbringing and health aspects.
Apart from that, they must be trained on adopting healthy habits, disciplined life, spiritual enlightens, and healthy diet to live a long and healthy life.
Read my upcoming blogs about teenage problems and how to address them. Check this space to know more.
Disclaimer:
The Healthy Women’s blog posts are based on research from mentioned websites as sources. We suggest consulting a physician before taking any medicine or adopting to any health practice.
Sources:
1. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2. Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs
Website – http://www.amchp.org/programsandtopics/AdolescentHealth/projects/Pages/AdolescentDevelopment.aspx
3. Medline Plus
4. Healthy Children. Org
5. Centers for Diseases Control & Prevention