Discussing bodily changes with young women
Parents to preteen and
teenage daughters may
have many things on
their minds as their
children grow older. Young
women entering puberty are
entering periods marked by
unique physical changes, and
families may find themselves
facing the topic of menstruation
and family life before
they know it.
The Canadian Women’s
Health Network notes that
research indicates a gradual
decline in the average age
of puberty onset in North
American women, with menstruation
occurring earlier
and earlier. This may be attributed
to decreased rates of
disease and increased nutrition.
Sandra Steingraber, a
medical researcher who has
done groundbreaking work
on the links between environmental
health contaminants
and cancer, says puberty also
may be tied to environmental
changes, namely exposure to
endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Puberty-related physical
changes may now occur in
girls as young as 8 or 9. Ob-
Gyn.net says that the average
age for menarche, or first
menstruation, in the United
States is age 12.16 for black
girls and 12.88 for caucasian.
Among Canadian respondents
aged 14 to 17 in the National
Longitudinal Survey
of Children and Youth, the
mean age at menarche was
12.72 years.
Parents and young women
between the ages of 10 and 15
should realize that menarche
and menstruation in general
is a critical mark in the reproductive
life of women and
should prepare for its arrival.
Menstruation is part of a
cycle of reproduction that occurs
when the uterine lining
of blood and tissue leaves the
body because it is not needed
to cushion a fertilized egg.
A menstrual period generally
can last between two and
seven days, and during, an
average amount of two tablespoons
of blood is shed. An entire
menstrual cycle for girls
and teens ranges from 21 to 45
days, offers Kids Health.
Each girl is different, but
menstruation generally occurs
within two to four years
A young woman may begin to menstruate anytime between ages 10 and 15 on average. Parents can educate
their daughters of the changes to come.
of other signs of puberty, such
as breast budding and growth
of underarm and pubic hair.
The American College of Obstetricians
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and Gynecologists
recommends that teenagers
schedule a first gynecologic
visit between the ages of 13 and
15, particularly if menstruation
has started. A gynecologist
can be a good sounding
board for questions regarding
what is normal, what to expect
in years to come, and general
health concerning the female
reproductive system and body
— including breast health. A
gynecologist will also spell
out the ideal times for certain
testing, which can include
pelvic exams, external genital
exams, and Pap tests.
Menstruation can be an
exciting, yet confusing time
in a young woman’s life. Since
many young women now experience
menstruation earlier
than their mothers may have,
families may want to discuss
puberty with their daughters
sooner than they might have
initially planned.
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