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 mens
t r u at ion
o c c u r r i n g
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.
ObGyn.net says that
the average age for
menarche, or first
mens t ruat ion,
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
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.
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
of other signs of puberty, such
as breast budding and growth
of underarm and pubic hair.
The American College
of Obstetricians 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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