All you have to do is take one look at our Puberty for Girls You Said It page to see that IML'ers have a lot of questions about puberty. A ton, really. And that's not surprising, considering how confusing, scary, embarrassing, and downright oogy certain parts of it can be, especially if you don't feel comfortable talking to your mom or another adult about this stuff.
That's why, when we saw that Dr. Jennifer Ashton, M.D. and OB.-GYN (that means she's an obstetrician and gynecologist), has recently published a book called "The Body Scoop For Girls: A Straight-Talk Guide to a Healthy, Beautiful You" (Avery/Penguin) we asked her if she'd answer the five most common questions we see you asking on IML. And she said yes!
So are you ready? Here we go:
Question #1:
"When am I going to get my period? Can I make a prediction based on how quickly my breasts are developing, when other women in my family got it, how much discharge and cramps I'm experiencing, and other things?"
Dr. Ashton: Usually, the first period arrives approximately two years after puberty first starts, but this can vary widely for many girls. The rate at which breasts develop is not the end-all and be-all factor in predicting when the first period will arrive, but it is a measure of the amount of estrogen exposure circulating in the blood. In turn, this can indicate the pace at which puberty is progressing, but again, it is very different for everybody. Family history is relevant, too, as is your height and weight. Taller girls who are heavier tend to get their periods earlier than girls who are shorter and thinner. Discharge is an indication of the activity of the cells in the cervix, and how much mucus they are producing. As you get closer to the first period, this discharge might pick up a bit, but there is no definitive telltale sign.
Question #2:
"My period started recently and it's driving me crazy how irregular it is. Sometimes I bleed for days, sometimes I go for two months without getting it. Why does this happen and when will it stop? How do I deal with it?"
Dr. Ashton: Irregular periods are common in the first year or so after menstruation begins. It happens because the signals that the brain sends to the ovaries are not fully mature yet, and so communication can be a bit erratic. The best thing to do is to keep a "period diary" and mark down when your period comes and how long it lasts, plus how heavy or painful it is. It may be helpful to remind yourself that it doesn't mean anything is wrong or defective within your body, and most girls will grow out of it. But if the irregularity starts to interfere with your day-to-day life, in an emotional or physical sense, it may be a good idea to ask a parent to bring you to a gynecologist who specializes in treating teens. He or she may do some blood tests to check your hormone levels, and be able to give you some options on how to best manage your irregular periods.
Question #3:
"I'm getting a lot of vaginal discharge and it's really confusing. It has different colors, thicknesses, and smells depending on the day. Why does this happen and what does it mean?"
Dr. Ashton: The rule of thumb with vaginal discharge is that as long as person has never had sex, and the discharge isn't green, smelly, or itchy, then most of the time that discharge is normal. It is just your cervix and uterus doing their job of making mucus to lubricate the vagina and help keep bacteria from traveling up vagina into the uterus. It is normal for the amount and texture of the discharge to change with respect to the part of the menstrual cycle. Typically, about two weeks after a period and two weeks before the next period, the amount of discharge will be at its peak. Usually, it is clear or whitish/yellowish and should not smell. If discharge persists for longer than a few days and is accompanied by a strong odor and/or itching, you should see a doctor because there may be a simple infection there.
Question #4:
"The worst thing about puberty for me is the emotional stuff. I get crazy mood swings and it seems like everyone only talks about crushes and dating. Why is this happening, and how can I deal with it?"
Dr. Ashton: Puberty is a time of major emotional swings and changes. Sometimes these changes can cause big outbursts and ups and downs in emotion. Understand that this is very common, but if some of these swings seem very dramatic or extreme to you, then you should ask a parent or doctor for help. Good tips for how to manage these swings is to find a habit that you like, and that makes you feel good, relaxed, and calm. This could be anything from exercise to listening to music. The key is to find some outlet that works well for you when you feel stressed.
Question #5:
"I don't feel like I have anyone to talk to about puberty. I don't know how my mom will react if I ask her about periods, or if we can buy some bras. I'm just so embarrassed and don't know how to bring it up!"
Dr. Ashton: This is very common. In fact, this is why I wrote "The Body Scoop For Girls"! Most adults and teens may find it hard to bring up these issues, but try to remember the goal: getting good information and securing a healthy life both now and in the future. In terms of embarrassment, keep in mind that everyone goes through the same issues. Just take a deep breath, and forge ahead! You can do it!
Thanks so much Dr. Ashton for sharing your wisdom and experience! We highly recommend this book as a great go-to resource for more answers and advice for girls.
You can also check out IML's section on Puberty for info when you need it.
That's why, when we saw that Dr. Jennifer Ashton, M.D. and OB.-GYN (that means she's an obstetrician and gynecologist), has recently published a book called "The Body Scoop For Girls: A Straight-Talk Guide to a Healthy, Beautiful You" (Avery/Penguin) we asked her if she'd answer the five most common questions we see you asking on IML. And she said yes! So are you ready? Here we go:
Question #1:
"When am I going to get my period? Can I make a prediction based on how quickly my breasts are developing, when other women in my family got it, how much discharge and cramps I'm experiencing, and other things?"
Dr. Ashton: Usually, the first period arrives approximately two years after puberty first starts, but this can vary widely for many girls. The rate at which breasts develop is not the end-all and be-all factor in predicting when the first period will arrive, but it is a measure of the amount of estrogen exposure circulating in the blood. In turn, this can indicate the pace at which puberty is progressing, but again, it is very different for everybody. Family history is relevant, too, as is your height and weight. Taller girls who are heavier tend to get their periods earlier than girls who are shorter and thinner. Discharge is an indication of the activity of the cells in the cervix, and how much mucus they are producing. As you get closer to the first period, this discharge might pick up a bit, but there is no definitive telltale sign.
Question #2:
"My period started recently and it's driving me crazy how irregular it is. Sometimes I bleed for days, sometimes I go for two months without getting it. Why does this happen and when will it stop? How do I deal with it?"
Dr. Ashton: Irregular periods are common in the first year or so after menstruation begins. It happens because the signals that the brain sends to the ovaries are not fully mature yet, and so communication can be a bit erratic. The best thing to do is to keep a "period diary" and mark down when your period comes and how long it lasts, plus how heavy or painful it is. It may be helpful to remind yourself that it doesn't mean anything is wrong or defective within your body, and most girls will grow out of it. But if the irregularity starts to interfere with your day-to-day life, in an emotional or physical sense, it may be a good idea to ask a parent to bring you to a gynecologist who specializes in treating teens. He or she may do some blood tests to check your hormone levels, and be able to give you some options on how to best manage your irregular periods.
Question #3:
"I'm getting a lot of vaginal discharge and it's really confusing. It has different colors, thicknesses, and smells depending on the day. Why does this happen and what does it mean?"
Dr. Ashton: The rule of thumb with vaginal discharge is that as long as person has never had sex, and the discharge isn't green, smelly, or itchy, then most of the time that discharge is normal. It is just your cervix and uterus doing their job of making mucus to lubricate the vagina and help keep bacteria from traveling up vagina into the uterus. It is normal for the amount and texture of the discharge to change with respect to the part of the menstrual cycle. Typically, about two weeks after a period and two weeks before the next period, the amount of discharge will be at its peak. Usually, it is clear or whitish/yellowish and should not smell. If discharge persists for longer than a few days and is accompanied by a strong odor and/or itching, you should see a doctor because there may be a simple infection there.
Question #4:
"The worst thing about puberty for me is the emotional stuff. I get crazy mood swings and it seems like everyone only talks about crushes and dating. Why is this happening, and how can I deal with it?"
Dr. Ashton: Puberty is a time of major emotional swings and changes. Sometimes these changes can cause big outbursts and ups and downs in emotion. Understand that this is very common, but if some of these swings seem very dramatic or extreme to you, then you should ask a parent or doctor for help. Good tips for how to manage these swings is to find a habit that you like, and that makes you feel good, relaxed, and calm. This could be anything from exercise to listening to music. The key is to find some outlet that works well for you when you feel stressed.
Question #5:
"I don't feel like I have anyone to talk to about puberty. I don't know how my mom will react if I ask her about periods, or if we can buy some bras. I'm just so embarrassed and don't know how to bring it up!"
Dr. Ashton: This is very common. In fact, this is why I wrote "The Body Scoop For Girls"! Most adults and teens may find it hard to bring up these issues, but try to remember the goal: getting good information and securing a healthy life both now and in the future. In terms of embarrassment, keep in mind that everyone goes through the same issues. Just take a deep breath, and forge ahead! You can do it!
Thanks so much Dr. Ashton for sharing your wisdom and experience! We highly recommend this book as a great go-to resource for more answers and advice for girls.
You can also check out IML's section on Puberty for info when you need it.
