PT Health Life – Puberty is an important stage of development for girls. During this period, the body will have many important physiological changes.
Parents and teachers should accompany girls during this period so that they do not see these changes as strange, confusing, awkward in daily life and affect learning and communication. .
1. Signs that girls are entering puberty
When you reach puberty, some parts will “wake up” and change. This makes girls confused and confused. That is:
- Changes in body shape
From 9 to 13 years old, a girl’s body changes a lot during these years, sometimes she feels fat and round, sometimes slim. From a little girl, your baby’s body begins to have the shape of a young woman: The breasts are bulging, the buttocks are more plump than before, and the layer of fat under the skin is thickening, making your body soft and feminine.
- Skin changes
Skin changes occur quite early, around age 11 or 12, and include changes in skin texture. When you touch your face, it may feel dry or greasy. The skin on the forehead and nose appears brighter because the sebaceous glands begin to produce oil or sebum. Excessive oil on the face causes inflammation of the pores, causing acne.
- Breast development
At puberty , girls’ breasts begin to grow in a pattern like one growing first, the other following. The first sign of breast development is the areola. First, the areola thickens and darkens. After that, the breasts sprout, become sharp, gradually larger and rounder. During this time, girls may have some itching or pain in their breasts. Mature breasts have a basic structure of fat. Fat has a protective function, while making the breasts smooth and attractive. The udder has no muscles, but it is firmly attached to the pectoral muscles above the ribs.
In addition, it is also supported by surrounding muscles and connecting ligaments. Nipples are home to many nerve endings, sensitive to stimulation. Inside the breast are milk glands. When girls reach puberty, the milk-making system begins to develop but does not yet produce milk. The mammary glands develop, the breast fat layer thickens, making the breasts bulge and become increasingly full.
- Changes in genitalia
During puberty , girls’ genitals develop strongly. All parts such as: labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vagina are growing up, pubic hair grows around the vulva and the color of the vulva is darker than before. Inside the body, the vagina and uterus also develop. The two ovaries begin to perform the function of secreting sex hormones and releasing eggs (ovulation).
- Menstruation appears
Menstruation is a normal physiological process – a sign that a girl has begun to ovulate and is capable of conceiving and giving birth. Girls can get their period from the age of 10, and some can start their period until they are 17 or 18 years old. Only when you are 18 years old and don’t have your period are you worried and you need to see a doctor for a check-up.
During menstruation, some girls feel uncomfortable, breast tenderness, heaviness in the lower abdomen, stomach pain, back pain…; Feeling impatient, easily irritable, losing concentration, easily changing emotions… This is also a common phenomenon called “Pre-menstrual stress syndrome” and it will end on its own when your period ends.
- Hair and body odor
During puberty, a girl’s body secretes a small amount of male hormones and when this amount of hormone accumulates to a certain level, hair will begin to grow, leading to the appearance of special sweat glands in the armpits. palms, soles of feet. These glands produce a special oil that smells different from sweat.
The hair on the body begins to be soaked with sweat. Bacteria on the skin begin to feel comfortable and immediately multiply. Bacteria, sweat and oil combine to create body odor. Therefore, please take better care of your body hygiene during puberty.
2. How to clean and care for puberty
When girls enter puberty, parents also need to pay attention to educating them about sex and sexual relations because it is very possible that they will have an unwanted pregnancy. This will be harmful to the child’s reproductive health and psychology at the threshold of life.
The diet must be nutritious enough to increase protein, mainly animal protein such as pork, beef, heart, liver, eggs and foods high in calcium to help the process of hemostasis and blood clotting be good as well as Other nutritious foods have enough balance of protein, sugar, fat, mineral salts, vitamins, and fiber. You should avoid stimulating foods such as alcohol, beer, and strong spices.
During the menstrual cycle. Adults need to guide children on proper hygiene: they need to bathe cleanly and more often, about every 3-4 hours they should change sanitary napkins, especially on the first and second days of the menstrual cycle. . Each time you change the bandage, you must wash your genitals with clean water. Be careful not to flush or spray water too deeply inside the vagina. Then use a clean towel to dry it and then apply a new sanitary bandage.
Parents also need to teach their children to prevent private area diseases such as infections, odorous vaginal discharge, etc.
Choose the right bra for your child. Choose bras that shape and support your baby’s breasts. You should choose bras or bras without underwire, made of absorbent cotton, softer and more comfortable for your child to avoid affecting the child’s development. Only let your baby use it when he goes to school or goes out, but if he’s at home or going to bed, he doesn’t need to wear it.
