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. ObGyn.
net says that the average age
for menarche, or first menstruation,
in the United States
COURIER L 62 IFE, OCT. 11-17, 2019
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
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.
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.
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