REPROSAIT 4 U

Puberty is the time in our lives when our sexual and reproductive organs mature. This means our bodies become capable of creating babies. Long before any outward changes happen, special hormones begin to be produced inside the bodies of both girls and boys. These hormones affect many different things, including sexual development and growth.
Puberty starts around 11 years for girls and 12 years for boys, give or take a year or so. Physical changes become obvious at about 11 to 14 years for most girls, and about 13 to 16 years for most boys. Along with these physical changes come emotional changes. We also start to think differently at this time in our lives. There are quite a few major changes to deal with during puberty.

Physical changes for girls
If you’re a girl, the physical changes you’ll notice around puberty include:

• Height – you’ll grow taller.
• Curves develop – your hips widen and your body is becoming curvier.
• Breasts begin to form – the first stage is called ‘budding’. Sometimes your breasts may be different sizes. This is normal. If you’re worried, see a doctor or other health professional.
• Hair growth – hair will start to grow around the pubic area and underarms, while hair on the legs and arms darkens.
• Vaginal discharge – you may start to get a whitish discharge from the vagina. This is a natural self-cleaning process the vagina uses and it’s nothing to worry about.
• Periods – your menstrual periods start. The bleeding from your period is not like bleeding from injury; it’s a normal process where the body removes the lining of the uterus (womb) that has built up over the last month.
• Period pain – You may start to have period pain just before, or at the beginning of, a period. Warm drinks and a hot water bottle (held to the tummy) can be helpful. For some women, exercise helps. See a doctor if you have too much pain. Sometimes, medication is needed.

Menstrual periods
You can’t tell for sure exactly when you’ll get your period. Usually your period will start off lightly, so you will have plenty of time to get to the bathroom. You may notice you feel damp or wet.
Some women get period pain or cramp in the lower abdomen (tummy) that tells them that they’ll get their period soon. You may notice a slight clear or whitish discharge between periods, before you get your first period, or both.
Periods can be irregular, especially at first. They may vary both in how often they happen and how long they last. After the first year or so, periods tend to become fairly regular; usually they come about once every four weeks.

Pads and tampons
Carry a sanitary pad or tampon in your purse or school bag to be prepared. A pad is usually the easiest to use at first. Change pads and tampons regularly, at least two or three times a day, depending on the menstrual flow.
It’s important to make sure that the vagina does not get too dry, so you may need to use smaller tampons or a pad when your flow is light. Tampons have been associated with toxic shock syndrome (a very serious illness) when not changed regularly.

Physical changes for boys
If you’re a boy, the physical changes you’ll notice around puberty include:

• Height and muscles – you’ll get taller and stronger and start to develop muscle mass.
• Genitals – your testicles and penis size increase. It’s normal for one testicle to be bigger than the other. Some young men worry about their penis size; however, sexual functioning – including the ability to have sexual intercourse and father children – doesn’t depend on penis size. If you’re worried, have a chat to a doctor or health professional.
• Hair growth – body hair begins to grow around the pubic area, legs, underarms and on the face. The hair starts off fine and becomes coarser and darker over the years of puberty. Some men continue to grow a bit and develop more body hair right into their 20s.
• Voice changes – in puberty, the voice becomes deeper. This is sometimes called ‘voice breaking’ because of the ups and downs in tone.
• Wet dreams – nocturnal emissions, or wet dreams, can happen in your sleep. Wet dreams are an ejaculation of semen – not urine – that has dampened your sheets. This is a normal part of growing up.
• Erections – sometimes erections can happen because you’re nervous or excited, or just for no reason at all, and can make you feel embarrassed. Other people usually don’t notice them as much as you do and they go away within minutes.
• Breast changes – some boys’ breasts may grow slightly or feel tender. This is a normal reaction to the hormones in your body. This will eventually go away.

Emotional changes
Although puberty refers to the physical changes of the body, there are also many emotional changes taking place, which affect boys and girls. They include:

• Coping with your changing body – young people have to deal with rapid physical change; all of a sudden, you have a new body shape and you may begin to feel self-conscious about how you look. You might feel embarrassed if you feel different to your friends. Other people may start to respond to you differently. You look older and may be treated as an older person.
• Frustration because you feel different – it can be difficult to cope with early physical changes or it also can be frustrating waiting for physical changes to happen.
• Mood swings – the rapid and abrupt release of hormones into your body can bring about extremes in emotion and mood. It’s a temporary imbalance and will settle down. Your parents might complain about your moods, but remember … it’s not the real you. It’s just those wild hormones affecting the way you feel.
• Energy changes – the fast physical growth and other changes in your body can mean you swing between having boundless energy and being extremely tired.

Your thinking will change
The way you think changes around this time. You’re starting to choose your own standards and ideals; to form your own ideas, morals and values; and to rely less on your parents for knowledge about life and the world. You may be starting to think about some deep questions like ‘Who am I?’, ‘Why am I here?’ or ‘What is the meaning of life?’.
You’re developing your own identity as an individual rather than as a part of the family. This could mean showing your parents or the world that you have very different individual tastes in your personal style. Some young people choose to do this in wild ways, while others take a more subtle approach.

Your relationship with your parents
You may want more independence, while – on the other hand – not wanting to give up the support of your parents just yet. This can mean that one minute you feel quite adult and the next you’re feeling like a child again. It may mean that you act impulsively at times and engage in some risk-taking behaviour.
Parents sometimes worry a lot when you want to go out on your own and do things independently, because they don’t want you to come to any harm. They may either know first hand or have heard of some people who take advantage of young people. They’re probably quite aware of the risks that some young people take (they may have done it themselves).
What this means is that there can be conflict between parents (who want their child safe) and a young person who wants independence. Try to sit down and work it out calmly with your parents.

Getting through puberty
Puberty can be an unsettling time. It can also be an exciting time, as you move from childhood to adulthood, and take on all the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. Puberty can be difficult for parents and for young people as everyone adjusts to the changes. Everyone needs to have patience.
Parents are learning too. If there are disagreements, listen to what they have to say and let them know your point of view. Show them that you can take care of yourself in a mature and wise fashion.
Try to be considerate – for example, let your parents know where you are and if you have a change of plans. These small things can make a huge difference. They will show your parents that you can act responsibly and safely.
By handling situations calmly and maturely, your parents will build up their trust in you and come to realise you are on the way to being able to take care of yourself!

Things to remember

• Puberty is the time in our lives when our sexual and reproductive organs mature.
• Although puberty refers to the physical changes of the body, there are also many emotional changes.
• Puberty can be difficult for parents and for young people, as everyone adjusts to the changes.

The odds of a young fertile couple conceiving by having sexual intercourse around the time of ovulation (the release of the egg from the ovary) are approximately one in five every month. Around nine out of 10 couples achieve a pregnancy after one year of unprotected sex. There are various strategies that can improve your odds of conceiving. Identifying the woman’s fertile phase is the most important.

Pre-pregnancy tests
It is a good idea to see your doctor and make sure you are physically fit and healthy for an impending pregnancy. Some of the tests you may consider include:

1. General examination.
2. Pap smear.
3. Tests for any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia, which can interfere with fertility.
4. Blood tests to check for anaemia, your Rhesus factor and your immunity against rubella (German measles).
5. Urine tests to check for diabetes.
6. If you have a cat, or eat very rare red meat, a test for toxoplasmosis infection.

Timing sexual intercourse
The most important factor when trying to conceive is to have sexual intercourse during the woman’s fertile phase - that is, the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. New life begins when an egg (ovum) from a woman is fertilised by sperm from a man. Ovulation occurs around 14 days before the start of the menstrual period, when an egg is released from one of the ovaries. Conception occurs when the egg is met by a sperm in the fallopian tube. Having sex in the days prior to ovulation (when the woman is aware of a slippery sensation at the vulva) and on the day of ovulation (usually the last day of the slippery sensation) increases the odds of pregnancy. Couples who have sexual intercourse around the middle or later stages of the woman’s menstrual cycle may have already missed the egg, which has a short lifespan.

The ‘fertile window’
Recent research published in the British Medical Journal (18 November 2000) indicates calendar calculations of the fertile ‘window’ may be unreliable. A couple needs to learn to recognise the fertile phase of the woman’s cycle by being aware of the sensation at the vulva. Having intercourse on the days of the slippery sensation at the vulva increases the odds of pregnancy.

Ovulation mucus
A woman produces a particular type of mucus during her fertile phase, which can help the couple to time their sexual intercourse. The mucus, which produces a slippery sensation, is vital for sperm to survive. Other signs of fertility include a softening and swelling of the woman’s external genitals (vulva). Instruction by trained teachers of the Billings method of natural family planning can help a couple to learn to identify the woman’s fertile phases.

Factors which interfere with ovulation
A woman who is underweight may ovulate erratically, or not at all. Generally, a woman who weighs less than 50kg should see her doctor for advice. Ovulation can be disrupted by other lifestyle factors, including:

• Excessive exercise - too much exertion releases hormones that interfere with the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
• Emotional stress - stress affects the hypothalamus, which is the brain structure that oversees the menstrual cycle.
• Disordered eating - such as crash dieting and skipping meals.

Diet
There is no special diet that improves the odds of conception, but now is the time to start eating a healthier range of foods including fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats. There is no evidence to support the theory that taking supplements of vitamin C boosts fertility. It is recommended that women increase their intake of folate for a few months prior to conceiving and throughout the first few weeks of pregnancy, since this B-group vitamin has been found to reduce the risk of certain birth defects. Good sources of folate include leafy green vegetables. Folate supplements are also recommended.

Cigarettes and alcohol
Cigarettes, marijuana use and alcohol are not only harmful to a developing baby, but can interfere with fertility. Quitting cigarettes will improve your overall health and your odds of conception. A woman who is trying to conceive should strictly limit her consumption of alcohol and avoid binge drinking completely.

Fertility problems
A couple isn’t suspected of fertility problems until they have tried and failed to conceive for one year. Around 40 per cent of fertility problems are female and 40 per cent are male. The remaining difficulties are caused by unknown factors.

Things to remember

• Knowing when you ovulate increases your chance of pregnancy.
• Having sex in the days prior to ovulation, when the slippery mucus is present, and on the day of ovulation itself increases the odds of pregnancy.
• Keeping a chart of the woman’s cycle according to the Billings ovulation method may help to alert her doctor to any potential problems which may be affecting her fertility.

New life begins when an egg from a woman is fertilised by sperm from a man. Eggs (ova) are made in the ovaries, and sperm in the testicles. The ovaries and testicles (gonads) also make sex hormones.

The female reproductive system

The female reproductive system is made up of the vagina, womb (uterus), fallopian tubes and ovaries.

1. VAGINA - a muscular canal around 7.5 cm long that extends from the neck of the womb to the genitals, or vulva.
2. UTERUS (womb) - a muscular organ, shaped like an upside down pear. Its lining is called the endometrium. The neck, or entrance to the womb is the cervix, which has a small hole in its centre, called the os.
3. FALLOPIAN (uterine) TUBES - these tubes extend from the womb, one on each side. They both open near an ovary. These tubes carry the egg (ovum) from the ovary to the womb.
4. OVARIES - two small almond shaped glands that contain eggs (ova). Sex hormones (oestrogen and progesteron ) are also made by the ovaries.

The menstrual cycle

Hormones secreted by the ovaries (oesterogen and progesteron ) and a small gland in the brain called the pituitary gland ( folicle stimulating hormon – FSH and luteinizing hormon – LH ) control the menstrual cycle.

The average cycle is around 28 days. After a period, rising levels of the hormone oestrogen help to thicken the lining of the womb (the endometrium).

At mid-cycle, an egg is released from one of the ovaries (ovulation).

If the egg is fertilised on its journey down the fallopian tube, it lodges in the womb lining. If the egg is unfertilised, falling levels of the hormone progesterone make the womb lining come away. This is called a period, or menstruation. The cycle then repeats.

The ovum (egg)

A female’s entire egg supply is developed when she is still an unborn baby. At the start of puberty, the eggs or ova are ripened inside the ovary and released every month. Each egg contains genetic material. At menopause, the ovaries stop making hormones and eggs are no longer ripened or released.

Mammary gland

Mammary gland organ of the female mammal that produces and secretes milk for the nourishment of the young.

A mammal may have from 1 to 11 pairs of mammary glands, depending on the species.

Generally, those mammals that bear larger litters have more glands. The mammary gland of the cow and of some other mammals is known as the udder.
In humans, there is one pair of mammary glands, also known as mammae, or breasts. They are rudimentary in both sexes until the age of puberty when, in response to ovarian hormones, they begin to develop in the female. During pregnancy, they distend still further in preparation for nursing the infant. Pregnant women are prevented from lactating (producing milk) by the presence in the blood of high levels of estrogen and progesterone , secreted by the placenta until birth occurs.
After birth, response to prolactin, the milk-stimulating hormone, , is no longer inhibited by placental hormones, and lactation begins. Mammary tissue contains between 15 and 20 compartments called lobes, each of which is divided into smaller compartments called lobules. The lobes and lobules are connected by a network of tubes whose cells manufacture the liquid and fatty substances that form milk. The tubes of each lobe connect with a duct, and all ducts lead to the nipple, where the milk is secreted when the nipple is sucked by the young. The letdown of milk during the nursing process is aided by oxytocin , a hormone secreted by the pituitary. The physical force of an infant's sucking on the breast is a major stimulus to milk production. Disorders of the mammary gland include mastitis and breast cancer .

The male reproductive system

The male reproductive system is made up of the penis, the testicles, the epididymis, the vas deferens and the prostate gland.

 

• Penis - has special erectile tissue that can fill with blood and make the penis stiffen. Sperm leaves the penis through the urethra, the same tube used for urination.
• The testicles (testes) - small oval sex glands located in a skin sack called the scrotum. Sperm and sex hormones are made by the testicles. Keeping the testicles outside of the body means they have a lower temperature, which is important for sperm production.
• Epididymis - a series of small tubes attached to the back of each testicle. The epididymis collects and stores sperm.
• Vas deferens - the epididymis tubes connect to make the vas deferens, a larger tube.
• Prostate gland - along with the seminal vesicles, adds fluid to the sperm.

The sperm

The sperm is the male reproductive cell. Its role is to fertilise an egg (ovum) and it contains genetic material. A sperm is tadpole shaped and around 60 microns in length (one micron is a millionth of a metre). It has a lashing tail, which helps it to ‘swim’ towards a waiting egg.

Common problems

Some common problems of the reproductive system include:

For women:

• Endometriosis - problems with the womb lining.
• Fibroids - non-malignant tumours of the womb.
• Infertility - many causes, including a failure to ovulate.
• Painful periods - a number of different causes, such as inflammation.
• Premenstrual tension - symptoms include bloating, breast tenderness and mood swings.
• Sexually transmitted disease - can be caused by bacteria or viruses.

For men:

• Impotence - a problem with getting or keeping an erection
• Infertility - many causes, including low sperm production
• Prostate problems - can make urination difficult
• Sexually transmitted disease - caused by bacteria or viruses.