Always Changing 5th Grade Puberty

Education Program

• 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 Overview

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

Watch Video

Puberty: Physical Changes

1 2 3 4 5

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: Physical Changes

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

Puberty: Emotional Changes

• 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: Menstruation

Puberty: Female Reproductive System

Puberty: Menstrual Cycle

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

Puberty: Periods

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

• Track your period on a calendar

Puberty: Calendar

• Visit Beinggirl.com for an online Period Predictor

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: Cramps

• 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

Puberty: Feminine Protection

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.

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

Puberty: Feminine Protection

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

Personal Hygiene

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

Healthy Bodies

• Family Member: Mom, Dad, Aunt, Grandma, etc

- Mother/Daughter booklet• Teacher or School Nurse• Doctor• Trusted Adult

Who To Talk To

• Write question on notecard, fold it and place in Question Box

• Everyone must write something on the notecard

• All questions are good

Questions

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?