Most parents begin to separate boys and girls when they start to think about puberty. But there are many things in this time of growth that are the same for both sexes. Here are some changes your teen will go through during puberty that is the same as the opposite sex:
A notable change in both boys and girls is the change in their skin. Hormones can set off acne, or pimples, on your teen’s face, back and other places on his/her body. This is thought of as the scourge of adolescence by teens. It is however, manageable and even severe acne can be treated.
There is body hair growth in both boys and girls during puberty. Fine hair is one of the first signs you may notice on your preteen as it is in the second tanner stage of growth. It will thicken and begin to look like adult body hair by the last stage of puberty.
The skull grows and thickens and there is growth in the jaw. These things can cause ear aches and/or headaches. Generally, these are growing pains, and will pass. But have your teen see a doctor if the pain is severe or the problem persists.
There is a reshaping of the eyes. A result in the reshaping of the eye is a change in the teenager’s ability to focus. It is at this age that many teens need glasses. As your teen’s eyes may not be finished growing, glasses or disposable contacts are a better choice than long wearing contacts.
In both males and females starting puberty the apocrine glands, found under the armpits and in the groin area, begin to function. These sweat glands are a bit different than the ones the human body uses to cool itself. Because of our sexual hormones, they are responsible for body odor – BO in your teen’s language.
Mood swings are also found in both sexes during puberty and often through adolescence. Hormones in both sexes can cause mood changes just as they cause physical changes. Your teen is not alone on his/her emotional roller coaster.
Both sexes have growth spurts. Their bodies grow up and begin to take their adult shape. While the shape one takes depends on the sex, the fact that growth happens is the same for both sexes.
While many of the changes your child will deal with during puberty will be exclusive to his or her sex, the things I have mentioned are the same in both sexes. So when the question, 'What about the boys/girls?' comes up, remember this article and you'll have part of your answer.
How Is Puberty the Same for Both Sexes
What Happens During Puberty?
When you think about puberty what's the first thing that comes to your mind? Many of you would probably say having periods or the menstrual cycle. But even before you have your first menstrual period, other changes happen in your body.
You might notice small, tender, and sometimes painful lumps or buds; just below your nipples when your breasts begin developing. This can occur up to two years before you have your first period.
Puberty also starts the growth of adult body hair. You'll begin to notice soft hair growing thicker and longer under your arms, on your legs, and in your pubic area. You might decide to shave this new hair. Make sure to use a new and clean razor and fresh, clean water anytime you shave body hair to prevent infections. You should never share your razor, or use a razor that someone else has used; doing so could put you at risk for various infections, including HIV.
Body odor also begins to develop during puberty. You might decide that you want to use an antiperspirant or deodorant product to dispel any body odor that you experience.
Sometimes girls and boys develop acne during puberty. If you develop acne and it's bothers you, there are many products you can buy to help clear it up. If acne is severe, your doctor can prescribe medicine for your acne.
During puberty the size and shape of your body begins to change. Your breasts continue growing. You may notice that your waist is getting smaller, while your hips grow wider. Extra fat accumulates on your stomach and bottom as your body starts to take the shape of an adult woman. Your arms, legs, hands, and feet also grow during puberty, making girls feel self-conscious. Sometimes it might seem like your arms and legs are outgrowing your body, but don't worry it won't be long before the rest of your body catches up.
Emotional changes usually begin about the time menstruation begins. If you feel a little crazy just before your period, don't worry, you're not losing your mind. Many girls and women experience a variety of emotional and physical symptoms during their menstrual cycles. Scientists believe the constant fluctuations of hormone levels that occur during the menstrual cycle cause many of the physical and emotional symptoms that occur during the menstrual cycle.
Make a menstrual cycle calendar to note how you feel on different days during your menstrual cycle. If you consistently experience certain symptoms, you may have premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. Your doctor can use your menstrual cycle calendar to diagnosis PMS or other menstrual cycle disorders. Talk to your doctor if you are uncomfortable or unsure about any of the emotional or physical changes that happen to you during puberty and adolescence. Your doctor can prescribe medications and / or lifestyle changes such as diet or exercise to help reduce any symptoms that you might experience.
Top 10 Causes of Vaginal Bleeding After Sex
You've just finished making love, and you're in that pleasant dream-like state when you go to the bathroom and discover that you are bleeding. Nothing can bring you back to reality faster than vaginal bleeding after sex. Post-coital bleeding can occur for a number of reasons, and is nothing to take lightly. Here's a look at the top 10 causes of vaginal bleeding after sex:
1. Cervical dysplasia:Cervical dysplasia is precancerous changes of the epithelial cells that line the cervix. Risk increases with multiple sexual partners, sex before age 18, childbirth before age 16, or a past history of STDs. Treatment is usually cryosurgery or conisation.
2. Chlamydia: A bacterial infection that is usually transmitted through sexual activity or contact with semen, vaginal fluid, or blood.
3. Gonorrhea: A usually sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacteria. Several pharmaceutical treatments are available.
4. Vaginitis or Cervicitis: Inflammation or swelling and infection of the vagina or cervix. Treatment depends on the cause.
5. Cervical polyps: Cervical polyps are smooth, red or purple, finger-like growths that grow out of the mucus layer of the cervix or the cervical canal. Cervical polyps are extremely fragile, extending out of the cervix, and easily and painlessly removed.
6. Trichomoniasis: A usually sexually transmitted disease caused by protozoan. Can also be passed to newborns during vaginal birth by infected mothers. Although rare, transmission is also possible in tap water, hot tubs, urine, on toilet seats, and in swimming pools. May cause vaginitis.
7. Vaginal yeast infection: An overgrowth of the normal fungi that inhabits the vaginal area. Common symptoms include itching, burning, and an odorless, white, cheese-like discharge.
8. Endometritis or adenomyosis: Endometritis is defined by Dorland's Medical Dictionary, 27th Edition as an inflammation of the endometrium (the innermost layer of the uterus). Both conditions are associated with endometriosis. Adenomysis is when endometrial tissue attaches itself to the uterus, or another organ such as the ovaries, and grows outside of the uterus.
9. Uterine polyps: Uterine polyps occur when the endometrium overgrows causing these protrusions into the uterus. It is extremely rare for these growths to grow in a way that is either benign or malignant. Women with uterine polyps frequently experience bleeding between periods (metrorrhagia), other symptoms includes vaginal bleeding after sex, spotting, menorrhagia, bleeding after menopause, and breakthrough bleeding during hormone therapy. Hysteroscopic-guided curettage is the preferred treatment, since the normal D&C is basically an unguided procedure that may miss many of the uterine polyps.
10. Fibroid tumors: Uterine fibroid tumors are usually benign tumors. They are solid masses made of fibrous tissue. Fibroid tumors are rarely malignant. Symptoms of fibroid tumors vary among women, with some women never experiencing any symptoms at all. Women who can wait until menopause will see their fibroids shrink and disappear once their bodies stop producing estrogen. It's important that women with fibroids make sure they never take estrogen, in any form including birth control pills, since estrogen increases fibroid growth. Several treatments are currently available for uterine fibroid tumors from myomectomy and uterine artery embolization to the traditional hysterectomy.
Diagnosing vaginal bleeding after sex is usually a matter of exclusion. Anytime you experience post-coital bleeding or vaginal bleeding after sex see your physician.
The Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle occurs in two distinct phases that begin on the first day you have your period and end on the day before you begin menstruating.
The first phase is the follicular phase, or the proliferative phase. The follicular phase begins on Day 1 of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest during menstruation. During this phase the uterine lining, or endometrial lining, both sheds through menstruation and begins a period of regrowth and thickening in preparation for an embryo should conception occur. The follicular phase lasts about 10 to 14 days, or until ovulation occurs.
The second phase of the menstrual cycle called the luteal phase begins when ovulation occurs. During ovulation, the ovaries release a single egg from only one of the two ovaries during each menstrual cycle. Ovulation is a process that begins when the level of luteinizing hormone or LH surges, and ends 16 to 32 hours later with the release of an egg from the ovary.
The luteal phase continues until Day 1 of your next menstrual period. Your levels of estrogen and progesterone rise during the luteal phase. These hormones work together to cause changes to the endometrial lining that prepare it for an embryo should conception occur. When conception, or pregnancy, does not occur, levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease causing the endometrial lining to shed through menstruation.
Menstruation
Menstruation is the cyclic occurrence of uterine bleeding that occurs near the end of puberty in girls. Typically, first periods occur around age 12 or 13. However, some girls begin having periods as young as 8 or 9 years old, while others may be as old as 15 or 16. If menarche does not occur by the time a girl reaches the age of 16, she should see her doctor for evaluation. Menstruation usually begins about 2 1/2 years after girls begin developing breasts, and growing pubic and underarm hair.
Once menstruation begins, it continues until menopause occurs around the age of 50 when monthly menstrual cycles end. Surgical menopause occurs following removal of the ovaries during hysterectomy. Menstruation also temporarily stops during pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives also stop normal menstruation and can safely be used to stop periods indefinitely or until pregnancy is desired. If menstruation fails to occur for any other reason, amenorrhea occurs. Amenorrhea is a menstrual cycle disorder.
For the most part, the menstrual cycle occurs predictably and without problems. However, when things don’t go right -– when you experience heavy or excessive bleeding, when your period doesn’t occur when expected, when you have physical or emotional symptoms during the weeks before you menstruation, or when you experience painful periods or other symptoms –- you may have a menstrual cycle disorder.
Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common menstrual cycle disorder that includes several types of abnormal bleeding patterns, including amenorrhea. Other menstrual cycle disorders include dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome or PMS, premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD, and uterine fibroid tumors. Other factors that may affect normal menstruation include stress, illness, exercise, diet and nutrition, and work, family, and relationship issues.
