Always Changing 5 th Grade Puberty Education Program

Always Changing 5 th Grade Puberty Education Program

Class Overview • As you grow up, your body changes • Changes in how you look and feel • Timing is different for everyone – from 9 -14 years old • Each girl grows at her own pace • Girls usually 2 years ahead of boys

Class Guidelines • • Don’t be afraid to ask questions Be respectful of your peers No personal stories Use appropriate medical terms

Class Agenda • Video • Puberty – Physical Changes – Emotional Changes – Menstruation / Cramps – Feminine Protection • Personal Hygiene • Healthy Bodies • Questions

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Puberty: Physical Changes 1 2 3 4 5

Puberty: Physical Changes Stage One (up to ages 8 -12): • Childhood stage; no visible signs of puberty Stage Two (may begin ages 8 -14): • Height and weight increase rapidly • Breast buds • Pubic Hair

Puberty: Physical Changes Stage Three (may begin ages 9 -15): • • • Height continues to increase Breasts - rounder and fuller Pubic hair - darker and thicker Hips widen Vaginal discharge Menstruation for some girls

Puberty: Physical Changes Stage Four (may begin ages 10 -16): • • Underarm hair Nipple and areola more prominent Pubic hair starts to form triangular patch Menstruation for many girls Stage Five (may begin ages 12 -19): • • Breast development complete Pubic hair forms thick triangular patch Adult height probably reached Menstruation occurs regularly

Puberty: Emotional Changes • Feelings may change from day to day • Caused by hormones • Don’t worry, it’s all part of growing up!

Puberty: Menstruation • Menstruation is part of the female reproductive process • Average 28 -day cycle, but different for everyone • Period is when you loose fluid at end of the cycle

Puberty: Female Reproductive System

Puberty: Menstrual Cycle

Puberty: Periods • • Usually lasts 3 -7 days Might not be regular at first Only loose about 7 teaspoons of blood It doesn’t hurt!

Puberty: Periods When does my period start? • Usually between 10 -16 years old • About 2 years after your breasts develop • Soon after you grow pubic hair • After you start to notice vaginal discharge

Puberty: Calendar • Track your period on a calendar • Visit Beinggirl. com for an online Period Predictor

Puberty: Cramps What are they? • Ache or cramp in the lower abdomen or along the inner thighs What can I do? • • Take a warm bath Hold a heating pad on lower stomach Exercise Check with an adult before taking medication

Puberty: Feminine Protection • Pantiliners • Pads • Tampons

Puberty: Feminine Protection Pantiliners • Worn outside your body, in your underwear • Use: – When period is light – As tampon back-up – In between periods to absorb discharge and help keep you fresh every day

Puberty: Feminine Protection Pads • Worn outside your body, in your underwear • Many different kinds depending on heaviness of period and body size • Wings provide extra protection • Change frequently to keep fresh and dry

Puberty: Feminine Protection How to use a pad 1. Pull off paper strip or wrapper. 2. Attach sticky part securely to center of underwear. 3. For wings, peel off paper strips and wrap around sides of underwear.

Puberty: Feminine Protection How to get rid of pads • • • Fold it up Wrap in tissue or toilet paper Put in trash (special cans in ladies room) Don’t flush down toilet – they clog it! Wash your hands

Puberty: Feminine Protection Tampons • Worn inside your body in your vagina to absorb menstrual flow • Range of absorbencies • Good for swimming and gymnastics • Toxic Shock Syndrome • Safety information inside box

Personal Hygiene Sweating • Body produces more sweat; body odor • Bathe/shower daily with soap • Shampoo hair regularly, from root to tip • Control underarm odor and wetness with deodorant or anti-perspirant • Change sweaty clothes

Personal Hygiene Skincare • Oil glands in your skin become more active • Oil and dead skin cells lead to acne • Cleanse skin twice a day • Don’t worry, acne is a normal part of puberty, and steps can be taken to reduce it

Healthy Bodies • • Stay active – exercise! Eat nutritious foods Regular bathing and dental care Personal safety

Who To Talk To • Family Member: Mom, Dad, Aunt, Grandma, etc - Mother/Daughter booklet • Teacher or School Nurse • Doctor • Trusted Adult

Questions • Write question on notecard, fold it and place in Question Box • Everyone must write something on the notecard • All questions are good

Most Common Questions from Beinggirl. com • • • What is the white stuff in my underwear? What can I do about cramps? How can I prevent leaks when my flow is irregular? Why is my cycle irregular? Why do I have cramps this bad? What are the chunks of blood mixed in with my regular period? • Is it normal to have such a heavy flow? • Is it uncomfortable to insert a tampon? • Is it safe to use a scented tampon?