Welcome to Gaia! ::

The first bit of information was taken from: http://www.teenwire.com/index.asp?taStrona=http://www.teenwire.com/warehous/articles/wh_19981201p045.asp
It covers a wide variety of changes that occur in girls during puberty.

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Puberty is the time when your body begins to change from a girl's body to a woman's body. It can take several years, and usually happens between the ages of nine and 17. Girls often start puberty before boys do.

Puberty happens when your brain and your sex organs send messages to the rest of your body. These messages are carried by chemicals called hormones. Hormones prepare your body and mind for sexual maturity (or adulthood).

Changes on the Outside
During puberty, girls' hips start to widen. You may not even notice this because it's a very subtle change. Next, hair starts to grow under your arms, around your genitals, and finer hair begins to show on your legs and arms. Your breasts will start to change in size and shape. This change may happen fast or slow, depending on who you are.

You will probably begin to sweat more under your arms, and your sweat may smell different. This is easy to deal with — shower or bathe more often and begin using deodorant or antiperspirant if you don't like the smell.

During puberty, both girls and boys may develop acne (also called "pimples" or "zits"). Acne is very common and fairly easy to treat. Your health care provider can help you find a treatment that's right for you.

Sometimes the hormones of puberty can cause changes in your mood, making you feel more upset or excited about things than you used to. This is normal and it's a good idea to share your feelings with someone you trust, especially if you feel very sad or frustrated. Everyone goes through puberty, so you should be able to find an adult who understands to help you sort out your feelings.

Changes on the Inside
Hormones cause changes in your internal reproductive organs to get them ready to go through menstrual cycles and someday perhaps have a baby. At some point during puberty, you will start to have menstrual cycles and you will begin to get your monthly period. Most girls start having periods around the same age that their moms did, so you might want to ask your mom how old she was when she started. This is a good way to start talking to your mom about puberty.

Your first menstrual cycle starts inside where you can't see it, when an egg is released from your ovary. This is called ovulation. The ovaries usually release only one egg a month. The egg travels down the fallopian tube on its way to the uterus. It's hard to tell when this all happens, but it's usually about two weeks before you get your period.

In the meantime, the uterus has prepared itself by growing a thick inner lining of blood. This lining will be very important if you have a baby. If you have sex with a man and your egg is fertilized by his sperm, the fertilized egg may implant itself into this lining, and pregnancy will begin. Otherwise, the lining starts to come off after a few days and leaves your body as "menstrual flow" through the v****a. This is the "bleeding" that lasts about five to seven days and is called your "period."

Your Period
Periods are part of a monthly cycle that most healthy women's bodies go through during their reproductive years. You don't usually see or feel the rest of the cycle, so your period is an indicator that the cycle happened.

The menstrual flow is usually heaviest during the first few days. Some women get cramps before or during their periods. This is normal and usually goes away with Tylenol or ibuprofen. If you have a lot of cramping, you can get help from your health care provider. Some women feel irritable, bloated, or have any number of other symptoms before their period starts. These symptoms are temporary and are called "PMS," which stands for premenstrual syndrome.

At first, most women have "irregular" periods, meaning they don't have them every month, or at the same time from month to month. Most women become more regular after a year, although some women never do. Most women's cycles are between 28 and 32 days long. There are a few things that will make your period late:

- Stress — worrying about family problems or exams or other things
- Exercise — many female athletes have irregular periods
- Big changes in your life — taking a trip somewhere, moving
- Pregnancy — this is important to think about if you are sexually active, even if you use birth control.
- Birth control — hormonal methods of birth control (the Pill, implants and injections) can cause your periods to change or stop. This is something you should talk about with the person who prescribed your birth control.
- Illness — sometimes being sick or not feeling well can cause your period to be late.

Puberty is something everyone goes through and it can be a very uncomfortable, awkward, and lonely time. It is a good time to learn about your body and how it works. It is also a good time to start talking to your mom or dad about their experiences when they were your age. You can also talk a health care provider if you have questions that you don't want to ask your parents.

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This section is specifically about menstruation, specifically a girl's first period, and the information was taken from: http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/menstruation.html

Menstruation (a period) represents a major stage of puberty in girls; it's one of the many physical signs that a girl is turning into a woman. And like a lot of the other changes associated with puberty, menstruation can be confusing for girls (and guys). Some girls can't wait to start their periods, whereas others may feel afraid or anxious. Many girls and guys don't have a complete understanding of a woman's reproductive system or what actually happens during the menstrual cycle, making the process seem even more mysterious.

Puberty and Periods
When girls begin to go through puberty (usually starting between the ages of 8 and 13), their bodies and minds change in many ways. The hormones in their bodies stimulate new physical development, such as growth and breast development. About 2 to 2 1/2 years after a girl's breasts begin to develop, she usually gets her first menstrual period.

About 6 months or so before getting her first period, a girl might notice an increased amount of clear vaginal discharge. This discharge is common. There's no need for a girl to worry about discharge unless it has a strong odor or causes itchiness.

The start of periods is known as menarche (pronounced: meh-nar-kee). Menarche doesn't happen until all the parts of a girl's reproductive system have matured and are working together.

Baby girls are born with ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a uterus. The two ovaries are oval-shaped and sit on either side of the uterus (womb) in the lowest part of the abdomen called the pelvis. They contain thousands of eggs, or ova. The two fallopian tubes are long and thin - like hollow strands of spaghetti (only a little bit thicker). Each fallopian tube stretches from an ovary to the uterus, a pear-shaped organ that sits in the middle of the pelvis. The muscles in a female's uterus are powerful and are able to expand to allow the uterus to accommodate a growing fetus and then help push the baby out during labor.

As a girl matures and enters puberty, the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce other hormones called estrogen and progesterone. These hormones have many effects on a girl's body, including physical maturation, growth, and emotions.

About once a month, a tiny egg leaves one of the ovaries - a process called ovulation - and travels down one of the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. In the days before ovulation, the hormone estrogen stimulates the uterus to build up its lining with extra blood and tissue, making the walls of the uterus thick and cushioned. This happens to prepare the uterus for pregnancy: If the egg reaches the uterus and is fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the cushiony wall of the uterus, where it slowly develops into a baby.

If the egg isn't fertilized, though - which is the case during most of a girl's monthly cycles - it doesn't attach to the wall of the uterus. When this happens, the uterus sheds the extra tissue lining. The blood, tissue, and unfertilized egg leave the uterus, going through the v****a on the way out of the body. This is a menstrual period. This cycle happens almost every month for several more decades (except, of course, when a female is pregnant) until a woman reaches menopause and no longer releases eggs from her ovaries.

How Often Does a Girl Get Her Period?
Just as some girls begin puberty earlier or later than others, the same applies to periods. Some girls may start menstruating as early as age 9 or 10, but others may not get their first period until later in their teens. The amount of time between a girl's periods is called her menstrual cycle (the cycle is counted from the start of one period to the start of the next). Some girls will find that their menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, whereas others might have a 24-day cycle, a 30-day cycle, or even a 35-day cycle.

Irregular periods are common in girls who are just beginning to menstruate. It may take the body a while to sort out all the changes going on, so a girl may have a 28-day cycle for 2 months, then miss a month or have two periods with hardly any time in between them, for example. Usually, after a number of months, the menstrual cycle will become more regular. Many women continue to have irregular periods into adulthood, though.

As a girl gets older and her periods settle down - or she gets more used to her own unique cycle - she will probably find that she can predict when her period will come.

How Long and How Much?
The amount of time that a girl has her period also can vary. Some girls have periods that last just 2 or 3 days; other girls may have periods that last 7 days or longer. The menstrual flow - meaning how much blood comes out of the v****a - can vary widely from person to person, too. Some girls have such light blood flow that they wonder if they even have their period at all.

Other girls may be concerned that they're losing too much blood. It can be a shock to see all that blood, but it's highly unlikely that a girl will lose too much: For most girls an entire period consists of anywhere from a few spoonfuls to less than 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of blood - it just looks like a lot! (It is possible for a girl to lose an excessive amount of blood during her period, but it's not at all common. In some cases, a female will bleed too much because she has a medical condition - such as von Willebrand disease.) The amount of blood a girl loses and how long her period lasts can differ from month to month.

If you're worried about your blood flow or whether your period is normal in other ways, talk to a doctor or nurse. Some changes in menstrual periods can be normal - but only a doctor can help determine the cause of irregular, heavy, or painful periods - or no periods at all.

Cramps, PMS, and Pimples
Some girls may notice physical or emotional changes around the time of their periods. Menstrual cramps are pretty common - in fact, more than half of all women who menstruate say they have cramps during the first few days of their periods. Doctors think that cramps are caused by prostaglandins, a chemical that causes the muscles of the uterus to contract.

Depending on the person, menstrual cramps can be dull and achy or sharp and intense, and they can sometimes be felt in the back or the thighs as well as the abdomen. These cramps often become less uncomfortable and sometimes even disappear completely as a girl gets older. In the meantime, many girls and women find that taking an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide relief from menstrual cramps. Taking a warm bath or applying a warm heating pad to your lower abdomen can sometimes help, too. Exercising regularly throughout the monthly cycle may also help lessen cramps in some people. If these things don't help, ask your doctor for advice.

Some girls and women find that they feel depressed or easily irritated during the few days or week before their periods. Others may get angry more quickly than normal or cry more than usual. Some girls crave certain foods. These types of emotional changes may be the result of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS.

PMS is related to changes in the body's hormones. As hormone levels rise and fall during a woman's menstrual cycle, they can affect the way she feels, both emotionally and physically. Some girls, in addition to feeling more intense emotions than they usually do, notice physical changes along with their periods - some feel bloated or puffy because of water retention, others notice swollen and sore breasts, and some get headaches. PMS usually goes away soon after a period begins, but it can come back month after month. Doctors recommend that girls with PMS try to exercise to help feel better. And some girls notice that restricting caffeine intake may help relieve PMS.

It's not uncommon for girls to have an acne flare-up during certain times of their cycle; again, this is due to hormones. Fortunately, the pimples associated with periods tend to become less of a problem as girls get older.

Pads, Tampons, and Liners
Once you begin menstruating, you'll need to use something to soak up the blood - either a pad or a tampon. There are so many products out there that it may take some experimenting before you find the one that works best for you. Some girls use only pads (particularly when they first start menstruating), some use only tampons, and some girls switch around - tampons during the day and pads at night, for example. Girls who are very active, particularly girls who enjoy swimming, often find that tampons are the best option during sports.

Periods shouldn't get in the way of exercising, having fun, and enjoying life. If you have questions about pads, tampons, or coping with periods, ask a parent, health teacher, school nurse, or older sister. There are also a number of online resources that can give you answers to some of your most personal questions.

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Thank you to Verene, who pointed out that due to all of the pad vs tampon threads in LI, this guild should have more information on tampons and pads.


Information on Tampons

- Official Tampax website: http://www.tampax.com/ctry_select.html

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Taken from: http://www.avert.org/puberty2.htm

How often does a sanitary towel or tampon need to be changed and how do you dispose of them?
A sanitary towel should be changed every few hours during the day, even if the flow of blood is not very great. A sanitary towel can be used overnight without changing. Tampons should be changed several times a day and a tampon should not be used overnight. Changing tampons is particularly important because if a girl forgot to change a tampon for a long time, perhaps 24 hours or more, then it could make her ill.

Used sanitary towels and tampons should be wrapped up and put in a bin. In most women's public toilets there is a special bin in each cubicle which used sanitary towels and tampons can be put in.


Do periods hurt?

Some girls feel uncomfortable or have cramp-like pains when they have periods. For some girls the pain can be quite intense and it may be necessary to talk to a doctor about it. Usually the pain is not very bad and does not last very long. If you have any difficulty you should talk to an adult, as there are a number of things that can be done to help.

When a girl has her period she can do the things she normally does including having a bath or shower. Washing the vaginal area daily helps prevent infections developing. But it's a good idea to wash and dry from front to back to avoid spreading germs to the v****a.

When having a bath the amount of blood will not be enough to change the colour of the water. If a girl is using a tampon she should take it out before having a bath or shower and use a new one afterwards. If a girl wants to go swimming whilst she has her period she should use a tampon rather than a sanitary towel.

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Her period starts and she doesn't have a sanitary towel or tampon?

A girl can always use something soft like tissues, or rolled-up soft toilet paper, inside her panties to soak up the blood until she can get a sanitary towel or tampon.

Her period starts when she is at school?

If you are at school you should ask a friend or a teacher or other adult if they could help. There might be some sanitary towels in the school office as it quite often happens that a girl's period starts unexpectedly.


Someone says she smells?

As boys and girls' bodies develop during puberty so too do their sweat glands. These glands are to help control the body's temperature and result in more sweat being produced. The best way to reduce the risk of smelling is to wash and change your clothes regularly and perhaps use anti-perspirant deodorant on especially smelly areas, e.g. under your arms. However, most girls do not need to use a vaginal deodorant, and these may cause irritation.


Her period doesn't start when she expects it to?

When a girl first starts having periods they can occur at very irregular intervals. It can often take a couple of years before a girl's periods settle down and occur at regular intervals. The interval between periods is then usually about 28 days (a month).

Changes in your emotions can also cause changes to your periods. For example, worry about a period starting can sometimes cause further delay to the period.

However if you have had sexual intercourse you could be pregnant if your period does not start when you expect it to. You must in these circumstances talk to an adult or see a doctor as soon as possible.


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Taken from: http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/tampon.html
**Good website on how to use a tampon**

A Guide to Using Your First Tampon

You may feel nervous about using a tampon for the first time. It is normal to feel nervous, especially if you have any unanswered questions about tampons. Hopefully, this guide will answer your questions, address your worries, and make your first experience with tampons a positive one!


What are tampons and how do they work?

Tampons, like pads, are products used to absorb your menstrual flow. They are made of soft cotton pressed together to form a cylinder-like shape, so that they can be easily inserted into the opening of the v****a. A tampon absorbs your menstrual flow, or blood, before it has a chance to leave the body. Tampons come in all different sizes and absorbencies and can be purchased at most convenience stores or supermarkets.


How do you insert a tampon?

You may be worried and nervous about using your first tampon. Talk to your mom or a friend who has used tampons. It is important to first learn how to use a tampon and then, just relax! The more you relax, the easier the insertion will be. When you are nervous, your muscles tense up, making insertion even harder. For your first time, you may want to try using a tampon when your menstrual flow is heavy; this should allow the tampon to glide in more easily. Choose the smallest size tampon for the first time. By following these simple guidelines, and those that come with your package of tampons, your first experience with tampons should be easy.


1) Sit or stand in a comfortable position. Some women prefer to place one leg on the toilet seat or tub, while others prefer to squat down. After you find a position that is most comfortable for you, hold the tampon with the fingers that you write with. Hold the middle of the tampon, at the spot where the smaller, inner tube inserts into the larger, outer tube. Make sure the string is visible and pointing away from your body.

2) With your other hand, open the labia (the folds of skin around the vaginal opening) and position the tampon in the vaginal opening.

3) Gently push the tampon into the opening, aiming for the small of your back. Stop when your fingers touch your body and the applicator, or outer tube, is completely inside the v****a.

4) Once the applicator or outer tube is inside of you, use your index finger to push the inner tube (the tube where the removal string is connected) through the outer tube.

5) Once the inner tube is all the way in, use your thumb and middle finger to remove the applicator or outer tube. Make sure that the string hangs outside of the vaginal opening. Later, in order to remove a tampon, just pull downward on the removal string.


If the tampon is inserted correctly, you should not feel it. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, you may have inserted the tampon incorrectly or the tampon may not be placed far enough into the v****a. If this occurs, just remove the tampon and start again with a new tampon. Remember that practice makes perfect. If you don't get it on the first try, your second try will most likely be successful. Instead of getting frustrated and giving up, relax and try again!


What if I still don't succeed?

If you don't succeed after several times, see your health care provider. It may be that you were born with a very small opening in your hymen and you can't insert tampons. This is true in only about 2% of teens, but it could be a problem.

A mirror is often helpful so that you can see where your vaginal opening is. Sometimes, even using a small amount of vaginal lubricant (K-Y Jelly) on the end of the tampon will help the first one glide in.


What is TSS?

You've probably heard of this disease before, and how it may be connected to tampon use. TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) is an infection that is very rare, but potentially dangerous. TSS can affect anyone, male or female. However, it occurs most frequently in young women who wear tampons. You will probably never get TSS, but it's good to know what the symptoms are and how to avoid putting yourself at risk.

You've probably heard of this disease before, and how it may be connected to tampon use. TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) is an infection that is very rare, but potentially dangerous. TSS can affect anyone, male or female. However, it occurs most frequently in young women who wear tampons. You will probably never get TSS, but it's good to know what the symptoms are and how to avoid putting yourself at risk.

Tampons themselves do not cause TSS. TSS is caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. When a tampon is left inside your v****a for too long, it creates a perfect environment for different types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, to grow. To avoid developing TSS, follow these guidelines when using tampons:

- Change your tampons frequently (at least every 4-8 hours).

- Choose the correct tampon absorbency. Use smaller sized tampons when your flow is lighter. TSS occurs more often when super-absorbent tampons are used.

- Don't use these unless your menstrual flow is particularly heavy.
Alternate between pad and tampon use. You might want to use pads at night, and tampons in the daytime.

- Wash your hands before inserting or taking out your tampon.

- Don't use tampons to absorb anything other than your menstrual flow. Only insert a tampon once menstrual blood is present.


If you experience the following symptoms while wearing a tampon, remove the tampon, and contact your health care provider immediately! These symptoms may seem similar to those of the flu. If they occur while you are menstruating and wearing a tampon, they may signal TSS. Otherwise, they may indicate another infection. It is recommended that you see your health care provider regardless.

Symptoms of TSS include:

- Sudden high fever
- A sunburn-like rash
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness
- Vomiting

By following these simple guidelines, chances are you'll never have to worry about TSS. However, it is a good idea to recognize the symptoms, just in case.

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Information on Sanitary Pads/Napkins


Taken from: http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/feminine_hygiene.html

Pads and Tampons

Super, slender, overnight, with or without wings, deodorant, maxi, mini . . . what's the best one for you?

Once you begin menstruating, you'll need to use something to soak up the menstrual blood - either a pad or a tampon. Pads are made of layers of cotton, and they are sometimes also called sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. Some have extra material on the sides (called "wings") that fold over the edges of your underwear to better hold the pad in place and prevent leakage.

Some girls have periods with heavier bleeding, and others have lighter periods with less bleeding. Pads come in several different thicknesses for heavier or lighter menstrual periods or for day or nighttime use. Some pads come with a deodorant or deodorizing substance in them. All pads have a sticky strip on the bottom that helps them to adhere to your underwear.

Pads are easy to use: You peel off the strip that covers the adhesive, press the pad into the crotch of your underwear (wrapping the wings around and sticking them under the crotch if the pad you're using has wings), and you're done. It's best to change pads every 3 or 4 hours, even when you're not menstruating very much. Why? Because regular changing prevents buildup of bacteria and eliminates odor. Naturally, if your period is heavy, you should change pads more often because they may get saturated more quickly. Once you've removed your pad, wrap it in toilet paper and put it in the trash can (or if you're in school, in a special disposal box that's found in most stalls). Don't try to flush a pad down the toilet - they're too big and may back up the toilet and make a huge (embarrassing!) mess.

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Taken from: http://www.natracare.com/help_for_schools/fact_files/ks2/what_you_need_to_know_periods_ks2.htm

What different sanitary pads and tampons are there to use?

Sanitary pads fit inside your pants by means of a sticky strip, which keeps the pad in place. There are different types of pad and it is a matter of choice, which style you use. There are pads with and without wings. Some are for the earlier days of your period when the blood loss is heavier, and others for less heavy days towards the end of your period. You should read the packaging carefully to try to find out what the pads are made from because some materials used in many pads can be irritating to the skin. The pads should be changed regularly and disposed of in a bin.

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You should read the packaging carefully to try to find out what the tampons and pads are made from before buying because most are made from synthetic materials that are made without care for the environment. Try to avoid tampons made from materials like rayon and viscose which are man made (synthetic) and pads that use lots of plastic, and synthetic materials that claim to be ?cotton-like? as they are largely made from synthetic materials that are almost impossible to get rid of in the environment. If you would like to find out more information about waste disposal and feminine hygiene products like sanitary pads and tampons, take a look at the Citizenship projects.

Organic cotton tampons and plastic and chemical-free pads are recommended by many gynaecologists in order to avoid the risk of allergic reaction caused by exposure to synthetic materials and chemicals. Try to choose natural products whenever possible.

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Taken from: http://www.celebrate.uchc.edu/girls/body/period.html#Pads

Speaking of supplies, girls often don't know which is better to use. Sanitary pads are absorbent pads usually with a sticky side on the bottom to attach to your underwear. Nowadays, the pads are much thinner and don't show through your pants. They make thicker ones for nighttime, as you will be leaving that one on for longer periods of time when you go to bed. It's best to change your pad about every three or four hours during the day, or sooner if the blood is soaking it. There are all kinds of brands to try, see which one you are most comfortable with.

you forgot about menstrual cups too 3nodding theyre safer then tampons or pads

yea, well everything has some risk, I just don't think it's somthing to get all scared about...
anyways the menstrual cup is way safer you could leave it in all night, no risk, it's easier for most too

I am crapping.. >.