Health

Body

A) Puberty
- A personal process.
- Occurs when the body is ready.
- Changes do not happen all at once.
- Not everyone experiences the same changes.
- Begins in teen years and last till late teens or later.
- Cannot control or change the rate at which your body goes through it.
- Results in changes in how you look, feel, act and think.
- Girls can go through it any time between the ages of 9 and 16, boys 10 to 16.

B) Puberty Process
- Begins in the brain (pituitary gland), continues in the ovaries and testicles with
hormones sent out through the blood stream as messengers to change to all parts of the
body: some specific to each gender, some for both.

- Changes include:
Common
•Oil glands become more active (whiteheads, blackheads, pimples)
•Sweat glands start to work (body odour)
•Hair growth in many areas of the body
•Breast development (especially females, but even males may experience some
temporary swelling and tenderness)
•Feelings of sexual attraction
•Muscle gain (especially males)
•Weight gain
•Mood changes
•Voice changes (deepening; Adam's apple appears in boys)
•Genitals grow larger

Males Females
•Taller, more filled out •Breasts develop
•Shoulders and chest widen •Hips widen

- Growth spurts result in:

•Your body growing quickly for a short period.
•You possibly feeling clumsy as body parts catch up to one another.
C) Keeping Clean
- Shower or bathe daily.
- Wash hair more frequently if it is becoming oily.
- Use deodorant or anti-perspirant.
- Wash your face gently with soap and water twice a day.
- Brush and floss your teeth twice a day, including your tongue.
- Wear clean clothes.
- After sports, wash areas that perspire and re-apply deodorant.
- Wash feet well; dry thoroughly and put on clean, dry socks.
- Change the insole of your shoe if it smells.

D) Puberty On Your Mind

- Mind is changing as much as your body.
- Emotions are heightened, making them more complicated and confusing.
- Developing new interests and ideas.
- Thinking in new ways.

E) Talking Over Puberty

- Talking over questions about puberty with friends is natural because they can relate, but
they are not the best source for correct information.
- Wrong information may confuse things more, or lead to bad choices.
- Choose quiet times to talk about changes you are experiencing.
- Good sources of information are:
•Parents
•Relatives or other significant adults
•Teachers
•School counselor
•Library resources
•Nurses or Doctors
- Good ice-breakers to start a conversation with an adult are:
•"Do you have a minute? I'd like to talk."
•"I have a problem. Would you help me."
F) Diagrams of the Female Reproductive System

Mammary Glands: Breast (front view)

Breast buds

Nipple

Areola

Breast (side view)

- Are specially designed organs to produce milk to feed a baby.

- Only those of mature females can produce milk.
- Breasts of males do not develop fully because of the lack of female hormone pattern.
- Are modified sweat glands that have no muscle of their own, but instead rest on the
muscle of the chest wall.
- May be affected by changes in hormone levels, especially before menstruation.
- Each breast contains 15 - 20 lobes arranged in a circular pattern, covered by fat to give
shape and size.
- Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, so women over twenty
should monitor their breasts closely (self-examination, doctor's visit or mammography).
External Reproductive Organs

Internal Reproductive Organs

G) Female Reproductive System Vocabulary
areola: coloured ring around the nipple
breasts: mammary glands for feeding
breast bud: small protuberance on the areola
cervix: narrow passageway that leads from the uterus to the vagina
clitoris: small, sensitive bump; center of female sexual pleasure
conception: act of becoming pregnant
estrogen: female hormone
fallopian tubes: tubes that transport the egg to the uterus
fetus: un-born, developing vertebrate (baby)
hymen: thin membrane stretched across the opening of the vagina
labia: soft folds of skin surrounding the vaginal area
lobes: clusters of milk-producing glands (alveoli)
menstruation (period):shedding of the lining of the uterus (every 28 days)
nipple: protuberance of a breast from which ducts open and milk is drawn
ova: female reproductive cell (also called an "egg"; plural: ovum)
ovary: female reproductive gland (there are two of them)
urethra: tube that carries off urine from the bladder
uterus (womb): small, pear-shaped organ where a fetus develops
vagina: passageway connecting the uterus and external sexual organs
vulva: exterior female reproductive organs as a group
H) Diagram of the Male Reproductive System

I) Male Reproductive System Vocabulary

circumcision: partial removal of the foreskin
ejaculation: release of semen from the body through the penis
erection: penis in a state of arousal
foreskin: fold of skin that covers the glans
glans: tip or head of the penis
nocturnal emission: ejaculation of semen during sleep
penis: external male sexual organ
prostate gland: gland that secretes the fluid that makes up semen
scrotum: sacks that contain the testicles and help regulate their temperature
semen: fluid that contains sperm
sperm: male reproductive cell (20-100 million per mL of semen)
testicles (testes): organs that produce sperm
testosterone: male hormone
urethra: tube that carries urine from bladder (& semen from vas deferens)
vas deferens: tube that carries semen to the urethra
wet dream: see nocturnal emission
J) General Vocabulary
growth spurt: a period of sudden and rapid growth
hormone: substance produced by the body that causes change or growth
masturbation: stimulating oneself to experience pleasure and/or orgasm
orgasm (climax): intense emotional release at the height of sexual excitement
puberty: stage of development between childhood and adulthood

K) Sexual Intercourse & Fertilization

- Occurs when a male's penis becomes erect and is inserted into a female's vagina.
- When the male ejaculates, sperm enter the vagina and swim toward the uterus (each
sperm has a tail that moves side to side to propel it and has a lifespan of 3-5 days).
- If an egg is in the fallopian tubes, it may then be fertilized by a sperm (eggs have a
lifespan of 1-2 days).
- The fertilized egg then implants itself into the wall of the uterus.

L) Intercourse: Yes or No?

1. Reasons why teens postpone

•religious/cultural/personal beliefs
•not ready
•no guilt, fear, disappointment, or worries about infections or pregnancy
•more time for friends & other activities
•concern about reputation or about hurting the relationship

2. Reasons why teens choose to have sex

•hormones, desire, curiosity, pressure, feels good
•demonstrate love, want to feel loved/needed, get someone to love you
•prevent relationship from ending
•don't know how to say "no"/going along with it
•influence of alcohol/drugs
•both partners truly love each other and want to express it
•questions about sexual orientation

M) Consequences of Sexual Intercourse

1. Physical - pregnancy, infection, HIV, cervical cancer (women).

2. Emotional - reputation, guilt, damage to the relationship, friends may disagree,

worries (pregnancy, infections, etc.), pressure, resentment, self-esteem (feeling
"used"), regret, coping if relationship ends.
N) Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's)
- Spread through some form of sexual contact, blood-to-blood contact (sharing needles,
piercings, tattoos) or from a mother to her fetus or baby (breast milk).
- Highest rates in people between 15 and 24 years of age.
- Range from being easily curable to incurable, but all are preventable.
- If left untreated, can result in serious health problems including severe pain, sterility,
infertility, blindness, cancer and death.

1. Types
- Bacteria: curable if diagnosed and treated (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis)
- Virus: treatable, but incurable (herpes, genital warts, Hepatitis B, HIV, AIDS)

2. Symptoms
- Can vary with not everyone experiencing symptoms.
- Some may appear only in males, and vice versa.
- Include: discharge, burning pain when urinating, itching, sores, fever, fatigue, joint,
abdominal or testicular pain, unusual bleeding.

3. Prevention
- Avoiding sexual contact is the only sure way to prevent an infection.
- Engaging in low-risk activities such as kissing, petting.
- If choosing to be sexually active, make safe choices:
•Discuss the situation with your partner.
•Reduce number of partners.
•Avoid sex with intravenous drug users.
•Avoid sex while under influence of drugs/alcohol.
•Use a condom.

O) Masturbation
- Common way to deal with sexual arousal.
- Won't hurt the penis, testicles or clitoris.
- Personal choice.
- Best kept private.
 Health Notes
Adolescence, Puberty & Health Choices

A) Eating Fast/Eating Healthy

- No such thing as good or bad food...only good or bad choices.

i) Fast Food (sometimes called "junk" food)

- Ready to eat or quick & easy to prepare.
- Widely available and heavily advertised. Eaten in huge quantities.
- Much of it contains artificial colours, sweeteners and flavours.
- Highly processed with chemicals, fat, salt & sugar added to improve taste, lengthen
shelf life or make it look better.
- Can make you feel full, but also bloated, tired and listless.

ii) Healthy Eating

- Increase consumption of "whole" foods, not processed. Eat a range of foods.
- Eat moderately, including moderate amounts of fat needed to process nutrients.

iii) Eat Out & Eat Healthy

- Drink water, not pop, or at least milk or real fruit juice.
- Eat grilled, baked, steamed, broiled or roasted foods rather than fried foods.
- Beware of high-fat salad dressings. Add vegetables to each meal.

B) A Healthful Life
- Means making choices that improve your health and reduce your risks of illness, injury
or harm. Living better.
- Physical activity is vital to a healthy life: 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity per day.
- Being active keeps both your mind and body busy, helping it to burn calories while
avoiding eating due to boredom.
- Getting enough sleep is crucial!

i) Tips To Sleep Better

•Choose a good bed time and stick to it.
•Limit your bedroom use to sleep and remove distracting objects (tv, etc).
•Make your room pleasant & quiet.
•Comfortable bed, comfortable pillow, comfortable room temperature.
•Begin to unwind and get ready to sleep an hour before bed time.
•Take a warm bath.
•Avoid bright lights & liquids in the evening, especially caffeine and alcohol.
•Do not nap during the day, and exercise earlier in the day.
•Get up at the same time every day and let sunlight awaken you.
If you cannot fall asleep after 30 minutes, get up and go to another room. Read or listen
to soothing music (do not work!) until you feel sleepy; then return to bed.
ii) Lack of Sleep
•Makes you cranky.
•Body does not have time to repair itself; immune system less effective.
•Brain is less alert and your concentration diminishes.
•Body is less coordinated.

C) Contraception - A shared responsibility

- Contraception is the prevention of pregnancy.
- There are only three ways that pregnancy is prevented:
i) by stopping the woman's body from releasing an egg
ii) by stopping a sperm and egg from joining
iii) by stopping a fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus

D) Contraceptive Methods
i) Abstinence
- Only method that is 100% effective as long as there is no physical sexual contact:
•skin to genital
•genital to genital
•body fluid to genital
- To some it may mean limited sexual contact but no sexual intercourse, but remember:
•pregnancy can occur without intercourse (sperm ejaculated near vagina).
•STI's can be passed through skin to genital contact.
- The choice to be abstinent can be made at any time, even if you had been having sex.
- To be sure that you are able to stick with your decision to abstain:
•stay out of situations that will test your limits
•avoid alcohol and drugs
•talk to your partner about limits for the relationship and agree to them
- You do not have to feel guilty about abstaining, nor do you have to explain it.
ii) Birth Control Pill
- Taken at the same time daily to be effective.
- Stops a woman's body from releasing an egg each month.
- Available only by prescription from a doctor.
- Can be taken safely for many years.
- Once you stop taking the pill, you return to your normal cycle.
- Does not protect against STI's.

Effects
•Can make your period regular.
•Can reduce cramps & heavy flow of blood.
•Lowers risk of ovarian cancer.
•Some spotting and bleeding, especially first three months.
•Upset stomach.
•Tender breasts, moodiness, bloating, acne, mild headaches, slight weight gain.

iii) Injection: Depo-Provera

- Given during first five days of a woman's period and must be repeated every 12 weeks.
- Prevents the woman's body from releasing an egg.
- Available only by prescription from a doctor. Injection given by a registered nurse or
doctor at most health centres.
- Does not protect against STI's.

Effects
•Irregular or missed periods; spotting or extra bleeding.
•Tender breasts, acne, weight gain, depression.
•Loss of calcium from bones.
•Can take 1-2 years after last shot to get pregnant.
iv) Male Condom
- A sheath (covering) put on an erect penis before the penis touches the genital area.
- Prevents pregnancy by acting as a barrier that stops sperm from entering the vagina.
- Some come with a spermicide on them.
- Offers some protection against STI's (latex, not novelty nor natural condoms).
- Must use a new condom each time you have sex.
- Widely available at stores and health centres; both men and women can carry them.

v) Female Condom

vi) Diaphram
vii) Cervical Cap

viii) Lea's Shield

ix) Intrauterine Device

x) Birth Control Patch

xi) Spermicide: Foam, gel, film, sponge (illustration)

xii) Emergency Contraceptive Pill (Morning After Pill)

xiii) Withdrawal
xiv) Natural (aka Rhythm: knowing cycle)
xv) Sterilization