Sexual Health and Hygiene

Group 1 | Gender & Society

Puberty
• time in life when a boy or girl becomes sexually mature.
• process that usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys.
• causes physical changes, and affects boys and girls differently.

• Puberty signs in girls: • Puberty signs in boys:

- Breast development - Facial/Body hair
- Body hair - Voice change
- Periods - Genital growth
- Wider Hips - Acne
- Acne - Body Odor
- Pubic Hair - Muscles
- Body Odor - Adam’s Apple

Oily Hair
• Sebaceous glands produce extra oil that can make your hair look too shiny, oily and
greasy.

• Hygiene for Oily Hair:

- Wash your hair everyday or every other day.
- Choose the best brand of shampoo that suits for oily hair.
- Use warm water and a small amount of shampoo to work up a lather.
- Do not scrub or rub too hard.
- After you have rinsed, you can follow up with a conditioner if you like.
- Pay attention to the hair products you use.
- Look for formulas that say “greaseless” or “oil free”.

Sweat and Body Odor

• Sweat glands not only become more active before, they also begin to secrete different
chemicals into the sweat that has a stronger smelling odor.

• Hygiene for Sweat and Body Odor:

- Take a bath or shower every day using a mild soap and warm water.
- Wear clean clothes, socks, and underwear each day.
- If you sweat a lot, you might find that shirts, t-shirts, socks and underwear made
from cotton or other natural materials will help absorb sweat more effectively.
- You can also try using a deodorant or deodorant with antiperspirant.

Note: Some teens do not need deodorants or antiperspirants. Commercials for deodorant
and antiperspirant may try to convince you that you will have no friends nor dated if you do not
use their product, but if you do not think you smell and you take daily baths and wear clean
clothes, you may be fine without them.

Body Hair
- You may want to start shaving some places where body hair grows, but whether you do
is up to you.

• Hygiene for Sweat and Body Hair:

o Traditional razor
- Make sure the blade is new and sharp to prevent cuts and nicks.
- Shaving cream and gel are often a better bet than soap because they make
it easier to pull the razor against your skin.
 - Some of the newer razors contain shaving gel right in the blade area,
making even beginners feel comfortable shaving.
• Whether you’re shaving legs, armpits, or face, go slowly.
• An adult or older sibling can be a big help when you are learning to shave.
• Do not be afraid to ask for tips.
• You might want to avoid shaving your pubic hair because when it grows back in,
the skin may be irritated and itchy.

Shaving. Waxing. Creams. There are many different ways to remove hair permanently or
temporarily, and all of them have their pros and cons. Ultimately, no one should ever feel the
need to remove their body hair, especially when it is something that is natural and has its own
purpose of keeping us warm and even protecting our skin in certain instances. The body positivity
movement encourages people to practice self-love, whether or not their body matches
beauty and other norms we place on ourselves, and it’s important to present ourselves the
way that makes us feel the most confident and empowered.

Dental Hygiene
- habits and practices that are conducive to maintaining or improving the health of the teeth
and gums.
- Most important part of tooth care happens at home.
- Brushing and flossing properly with regular dental checkups help to prevent tooth decay
and gum disease.
- Brushing and flossing are the most important things that you can do to keep your teeth and
gums healthy.

Definition of Terms:

Tooth brush — a small brush with a long handle, used for cleaning the teeth.
Most toothbrush bristles, whether soft, medium or hard, are made of nylon, a synthetic fiber that
won’t break down in water or in the ingredients commonly used in toothpaste.
Toothpaste — a paste used on a toothbrush for cleaning the teeth
Contain abrasives, detergents and foaming agents.
Abrasive — help to removes dental plaque and stains from your teeth.
Detergents and foaming agents— help distribute other active ingredients evenly across your
teeth.
Fluoride — most common active ingredient in toothpaste that prevent cavities.

TIPS ON PROPER BRUSHING:

The minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is two minutes twice a day

How to brush properly:

• Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gum line. Gently brush from where the
tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface in short strokes.
• Use the same method to brush all outside and inside surfaces of your teeth.
• To clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth, use short sweeping strokes, tipping the
bristles into the pits and crevices.
• To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush
almost vertical. With back-and-forth motions, bring the front part of the brush over the teeth
and gums.
• Using a forward-sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to
remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.
KEEP IN MIND
• Consulting to your dentist about your sensitivity is needed before trying special toothpaste
to prevent more serious problems such as cavity or nerve inflammation (irritation).
• Brushing too hard can cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over time, loose teeth.
• Going to the dentist regularly-every six months is prevention. The goal is to prevent tooth
decay, gum disease, and other disorders that put the health of your teeth and mouth at
risk.

HEALTHCARE CHECK
As mentioned by a proverb, “health is wealth” and healthy people are the wealthy people. The
mentioned proverb is really true nowadays given that we're still living in the pandemic era.
During the year 2020, a lot of people were victimized by the COVID-19 virus and sadly some of
them died due to the deadly virus. We learned the lesson from that event that we should always
check for our health, take care of ourselves whether we have sickness or not and take
preventive measures to avoid whatever kind of diseases.

As teenage men, we should be more concerned with our health given the fact that at our age
we’re prone to many kinds of diseases and some of them are fatal and transmissible to
someone. Our recovery is not the same as when we were kids, wherein our wounds heal fast or
also if we catch some cold, sometimes we choose not to drink the prescribed medicines
because our immune system can fight on its own.

Healthcare check is important not only for male but also for everyone, regardless of the age or
their social status. We know sickness does not choose its target, anyone can become a victim of
a disease.

Importance of healthcare check:

1. Lower healthcare cost - If we constantly check ourselves, it will lead to early detection of
possible diseases that we can incur and will give enough time to avoid it or cure it before
it becomes deadly and contagious.
2. Early detection - “Prevention is better than cure”. Being actively doing healthcare checks
will make us avoid possible diseases or cure it earlier in its early stage if possible. That
will give a high probability of survival against it.
3. Increases life expectancy - Doing healthcare checks regularly will help us live longer,
give us proper medical advice from medical experts and avoid any danger risk against
our health.
4. Reduces the risk of complications - The most deadliest disease is “ischaemic heart
disease” that will weaken the heart, and make it harder to transfer blood through the
body. The disease can become worse because of complications due to other existing
diseases.
5. Treatment and cure increase in chance - Earlier medication will lead to higher chance of
cure against the disease. Let’s talk about cancer, upon reaching Stage 4 it is nearly
impossible to cure the disease because the cancer cells spread all throughout the body
of the cancer patient. In every disease, time is precious upon curing it. The later, the
harder to cure
6. Active involvement in healthcare
7. Early detection
8. Eliminate further growth of disease
9. Monitor health
10. Prevention
11. Find health problems early
12. Helps identify stress related diseases
13. ‘Prevent health issues
 14. Reverse your health conditions
15. Assessment of disease risk
16. Awareness

Healthcare Check for Women

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers today. Some doctors recommend
doing a breast self-exam technique in order to detect early signs of breast cancer.

It is recommended to perform this self-exam technique after the last day of your menstruation
when your breasts are not tender and swollen

Breast self-exam

1. Begin with a visual examination of your breasts.

• Face forward and look for puckering, dimpling, or changes in size, shape or symmetry.
• Check to see if your nipples are turned in (inverted).
• Inspect your breasts with your hands pressed down on your hips.
• Inspect your breasts with your arms raised overhead and the palms of your hands pressed
together.
• · Lift your breasts to see if ridges along the bottom are symmetrical.

2. Use your hands to examine your breasts

• Use the pads of your fingers. Use the pads of your fingers not the tips in doing the exam. If
you have difficulty feeling with your finger pads, use another part of your hand that is
more sensitive, such as your palm or the backs of your fingers.
• Use different pressure levels. Use light pressure to feel the tissue closest to the skin,
medium pressure to feel a little deeper, and firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the
chest and ribs.
• Take your time.
• Follow a pattern. Use a methodical technique to ensure you examine your entire breast.

Although a self-breast exam is not the most reliable way of detecting breast cancer, it can
help to be more aware of the changes that may occur in your bust area. Some women
report that they have discovered early signs of breast cancer by discovering a lump on
their breast.

It is best recommended to have yourself checked by a healthcare professional.

Keeping the external female genitalia clean

• Use soap and water to wash the external genitalia and your underarms every day,
especially during menstruation.
• Use either a disposable pad made of cotton, which has a nylon base, or a clean piece of
cotton cloth to absorb blood during menstruation.
• Properly dispose of the pad after each use, or wash and dry the piece of cloth used as a
menstrual pad before reuse.
• Wash only the external genitalia. Do not try to clean the inside part of the vagina.
• While washing, wash starting from the vagina towards the anus.Do not wash from the
anus towards the vagina. This will allow germs to enter the inner genitalia easily and cause
infection.
 • Be aware of abnormal fluids from your vagina. Do not confuse this with normal vaginal
fluids.
• If you see any changes in the vaginal fluid-a change in color or odor, please visit a health
professional.

Healthcare Check for Men

Seven screening tests for men, some of which can be done at home:

I. Heart health check

- Ages 30 and above, should have done at least annual heart check up. Includes a 20
minutes test wherein, your GP will assess medical and family history, lifestyle, blood
pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar level.
- Ages 15 and above, should have done a heart check-up once every 3 to 5 years.

Take Note: If your blood pressure is elevated over 130/90 for a couple of readings, see your
general practitioner.
II. Bowel cancer screening (Colon cancer)
- 99% of the bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully if found early.
- You use a home test kit, called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), to collect a
small sample of poo and send it to a lab. This is checked for tiny amounts of blood.
Blood can be a sign of polyps or bowel cancer.

III. Sexual Health Test

- Case: If having unprotected sex with more than one partner. A person should
have at least one annual sex health check-up.
- There are certain diseases that can be gotten without showing any symptoms
such as chlamydia.

IV. Skin Cancer Scan

- Regular checking for the skin, observing its changes and spotting for possible new
spots, freckles or moles.
- For unusual moles, it is advisable to see a doctor at least once in every 12 months.

V. Diabetes Screening
- Always track the lifestyle and diet, as poor lifestyle and diet will lead to diabetes if
remained unattended.
- Also, lack of exercise will give more exposure to diabetes as our body is not being
taken good care.
- Stress can also contribute upon having or developing a diabetes.
- Diabetes Test: They can do a simple urine test, and a glucometer test on the spot
to see what your blood sugar levels are like.

VI. Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screening

- Prostate Cancer is most common cancer in Aussie Man (Australian.)
- Prevalent on men aged 55 and above.
- For men aged 50 and above, a screening is advised to be done every two years to
track the prostate.
Tip: Similar to breast examination, men are encouraged to feel their testicles in the shower for any
lumps.
VII. Mental Health

- There is a present mental health crisis among men, with one in eight experiencing
depression and one in five experiencing anxiety at some point.

- “Depending on the level of severity of diagnostic signs and symptoms, the GP will either
refer to a psychologist, psychiatrist or they might do some psychological strategies
themselves,”

IDENTIFIED SEXUAL RISKS THAT WERE FOUND AMONG THE GROWING FILIPINO
ADOLESCENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

20% had sex before the age of 15, and 25% had sex before the age of 18. 70% of first premarital
sex cases are unprotected against unintended pregnancy and sexually- transmitted infections
(STI) including HIV-AIDS.

1.2% have paid for sex and 1.3% have received payment for sex; 6.7% have engaged in casual
sex; 4.1% mostly males have fu** buddy (FUBU) experience; 6.3% have males having sex with
males (MSM) experience; 2.9% of married youth (including those in live-in) have engaged in
extramarital sex.

I. TEENAGE PREGNANCY

- Giving birth at younger ages has also been evident in the Filipino youth. The
proportion of women who began childbearing increases with age: 7.1% aged 15-19
are already mothers; 2.0% aged 16, 31.2% aged 19. Teenage fertility is the
lowest among all regions of the country.

II. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI)

- While prevalence of sexually transmitted infections like HIV and AIDS are
increasing in the youth, as of 2013, 86.7% have heard of HIV and AIDS with poor
understanding being in the highest in the country noting that 75% think that they
would not get AIDS.

TROUBLE SIGNS AMONG TEENS

Sexual promiscuity.

• having or involving many sexual partners that may be due to peer group pressure and
socio-economic background of teens

Regular use of drugs and alcohol.

• habit of using drugs and alcohol regularly that may be because of peer pressure and their
own curiosity

Repeated violation of the law or school regulation.

• violating the rules and regulations, unintentionally or purposely

Running away more than once in three months.

- habitual running away of kids as example of rebellion that may be due to problems with
family may cause them getting involved in dangerous crimes

Skipping school more than once in three months,

- having a habit of skipping or cutting classes due to peer pressure

Aggressive outbursts/impulsiveness.

- sudden getting impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior, angry verbal outburst, throwing or
breaking objects, or other temper tantrums

Dark drawings or writings.

- teenage drawing can be both an art or an issue, as a visual representation of their inner
side, providing insights into nature and triggers of their anxiety

Deterioration in hygiene.

- refers to poor hygiene that may be due to lack of knowledge, that if ignored for long time,
can lead to serious sexual problems or issues

Oppositional behavior.

- refusal to obey instructions or doing what is opposite of what they are told
- being uncooperative and hostile behavior toward peers, parents, teachers, and other
person with authority

Refusal to work/non-compliance.

- choosing not to do what others told them to do

Chronic lateness.

- habitual lateness to make it to scheduled happenings

Falling asleep in class.

- unintentionally falling asleep in the middle of a class

Changes in physical appearance.

- changes in someone’s appearance that usually happens during or after puberty

Excessive daydreaming

- too much or losing control of daydreaming that is often a away to escape their current
circumstances that is more common in people with depression and anxiety
HARMFUL PRACTICES

Culture and tradition play a significant role in shaping the way young people and adolescent
behave and lead their lives. However, young people have become victims of some harmful
traditional practices, which affect their human and reproductive rights. These practices differ from
place to place but primarily affect women.

Common drugs abused by young people and their effects:

1. Marijuana
- also known as Cannabis, Grass, Joint, Splif, Hashish, Pot, or Weed
- as a plant grown and used worldwide.
- You can stay under the influence for about 2-3 hours.
- The effects vary. You can feel happy while others can feel panic or fear.
- In the past, most people who used marijuana smoked it like a cigarette (a joint) or
from different types of pipes. Now it's more common to vape it with a vape pen.
- Mixing it into foods or drinks (edibles) like brownies, teas, alcohol, or gummies is
also very popular.
Effects:
- Causes an increase in heart rate and dilation of certain blood vessels in they eyes,
which creates the characteristics of bloodshot eye.
- Chronic bronchial irritation (long-term effects)
- Impairment of long-term memory, gum disease, increased risk of cancers of the
mouth, jaw, tongue, and lung; and impairment of the immune system
- Decreased testosterone levels, decreased sperm counts, and increased sperm
abnormalities in male users.
- Heavy use during pregnancy may cause impaired fetal growth and development.

2. Mairungi
- Also known as Khat, Qat, and Mirraa.
- As a recreational drug, the leaves and stem are chewed by people in East
Africa and the Arabian countries to elevate mood (as a euphoriant).
- Many students use it when “cramming” for exams.

Effects:

- Negative effects include sleepiness, anxiety, aggressive behavior, and

hallucinations.
- Some men are unable to get an erection after they been chewing.

3. Alcohol
- most common drug, used worldwide
- legal, easy to find and consume

Effects:
- slurred speech and aggressive behavior that can lead to violence
- ability to make healthy and safe decisions is impaired
- causes relaxation, feel less self-conscious
- slow reaction time, thinking straight is difficult

4. Cigarettes
Reasons why many young people start smoking tobacco:
- influence of friends
- seductive advertisements,
 - older role models (parents, siblings, and celebrities)
- "cool" thing to do

Nicotine - addictive and dangerous substance, active ingredient in tobacco

Effects:
- lung cancer
- emphysema
- bronchial disorders

5. Cocaine
- prepared from coca leaves which are greenish-yellow leaves
- "champagne of drugs"
- usually comes in a white powdered form, it is usally snorted up, can also be
injected or smoked

Crack - smoked, stronger form of cocaine, hard white rocks

Effects:
- raise body temperature
- make heart beat faster
- increase breathing rate
- make you feel over confident
- excessive doses may lead to convulsions, seizures, strokes, heart failure

Long term effects: strong psychological dependence, destroys nose tissues, reportorial
problems, and weight loss

6. Heroin
- drug obtained from morphine and comes from the opium poppy plant
- slows down the user's body and mind
- very strong painkiller
- rock or powdered form, white or pink
- can be injected, snorted, smoked, or inhaled
- last method is often called "chasing the dragon"

Effects:
- extremely powerful rush and a high (4 to 6 hrs)
- relief from pain
- sleepiness
- loss of balance and concentration
- loss of appetite
- overdose can result in death
- the most dangerous effects of injecting heroin is the increased possibility of
contracting AIDS

7. Amphetamines
- also known as Speed, Ice, Browns, Footballs, Hearts, Oranges, Wake ups, Black
beauties, Crystal meth, Crack meth, Cat, Jeff amp, Dexies, Rippers, Bennies, Greenies,
Pep pills.
- man-made stimulants that speed up the messages travelling between the brain and
the body, giving energy. It increases the dopamine and serotonin levels of the brain. It can
be swallowed, snorted, injected, or smoked, and can be felt immediately or within 30
minutes after use.
- Ice or crystal meth (shabu) is the most potent form of amphetamine.
 Effects:
- burst of energy
- increase in heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and body temperature
- sweating
- reduced appetite
- makes it difficult for the person using to sleep
- anxiety; irritability; panic attacks
- weight loss and malnutrition
- amphetamine psychosis – hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia, similar to
people suffering from schizophrenia.

8. Ecstasy
- also known as Adam, Essence, MDM, MDMA, XTC, Eve, MDE, MDEA.
- man-made stimulants that increase the user’s physical and emotional energy.
- often used as tablets at rave parties.
- some ecstasy tablets have pictures on them such as doves, rabbits, or champagne
bottles.
- created for the purpose of making someone feel high or euphoric.

Effects
- may feel happy, warm, loving, and energetic around other people
- nausea and vomiting
- increase in blood pressure and heart rate
- overheating of the body; dehydration
- depression and tiredness
- kidney, liver, heart, and brain damage.

9. Inhalants and solvents

- such as glue, gasoline, aerosol sprays, lighter fluid, acetone, etc. Usually comes in
tubes or bottles.
- generally not used as illegal drugs, hence, it is legally available at stores. These
chemicals are, however, abused widely at poorer sections of the society.

Effects:
- makes the user ‘high’ for a very short period of time
- fewer inhibitions
- numbness, dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness
- headaches; nausea; fainting; accelerated heartbeat
- disorientation and hallucinations
- kidney, lungs, and liver damage; suffocation, convulsions, and comas.

Tips to avoid drugs:

1. Understand how substance abuse develops.

Obtain education about the dangers of drug abuse. Substance abuse starts from a.) using
addictive drugs for recreational purposes, b.) seeking out intoxication in every use, and c.)
abusing prescription medication. If we understand these concepts, it will be a step easier for us to
avoid and prevent illegal drug use. Our curiosities as young adults will be answered by gaining
proper understanding from proper resources, preventing us from experimenting with it ourselves
or with peers.
2. Avoid temptation and peer pressure.

Develop healthy relationships by avoiding friends or family who pressure us to use such illegal
substances. “We become most like those who we surround ourselves with”. Peer pressure is one
of the vital parts of life for teens and even adults. Preparing an excuse to say no, and having the
utmost conviction to say no to illegal drugs will put us in a step away from drug addiction.

3. Seek help for mental illness.

Mental illness and substance abuse go hand in hand. People dealing with anxiety, depression,
and PTSD are more prone to giving in to the use of drugs and alcohol to escape their current
mental situation. Seeking professional help from a licensed therapist or counselor will help provide
us with healthy coping skills without turning to drugs and alcohol.

4. Live a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

People often resort to harmful practices when life becomes difficult or stressful. It becomes their
coping mechanism, and a bad habit such as drug use can lead to drug abuse. Living a balanced
lifestyle will be of use when challenging times are occurring. They are more likely to adopt
destructive behaviors (such as alcohol consumption) as a means of coping, but chances of
addiction are reduced if they have adopted a balanced lifestyle.

5. Learn healthy coping skills.

Coping skills are defined as the person’s conscious actions when facing a stressful situation.
According to American Addiction Centers, some examples of healthy coping skills include keeping
oneself busy, exercising regularly, and having a healthy diet. Taking the time to learn healthy
coping skills can help people to effectively cope with difficult situations and everyday stress
without being drug dependent.

References:

Morris, M. (2021, November 11). To shave or not to shave: Tackling body hair.

https://sites.utexas.edu/thechattygal/to-shave-or-not-to-shave-tackling-body-hair/

National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Puberty.

https://medlineplus.gov/puberty.html#:~:text=Puberty%20is%20the%20time%20in,aff

ects%20boys%20and%20girls%20differently.

Physical development in girls: What to expect during puberty. (n.d.). HealthyChildren.org.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-

stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-Development-Girls-What-to-Expect.aspx

Amphetamines. (n.d.). Better Health Channel.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/amphetamines
KidsHealth Medical Experts (n.d.). What is MDMA (Ecstasy)? Nemours KidsHealth.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/drugs-ecstasy.html

Inhalants. (n.d.). Better Health Channel.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/inhalants

Zayed, A, MD., & Dr. Dhingra, H. (2023, June 13). 10 ways to prevent drug abuse among

teenagers. Diamond Rehab Thailand. https://diamondrehabthailand.com/ways-to-

prevent-drug-abuse/

Tips for preventing substance abuse. (2021, July 7). Prairie View A&M University.

https://www.pvamu.edu/sa/drug-and-alcohol-abuse-prevention-program-daapp/tips-

for-preventing-substance-abuse/

Breast self-exam for breast awareness - Mayo Clinic. (2022, June 4).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/about/pac-20393237

The facts about abrasive toothpaste | colgate®. (n.d.). https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-

health/selecting-dental-products/the-facts-about-abrasive-toothpaste

Dental Care at Memorial Southwest. (2023, March 16). What’s your toothbrush made of?

https://caringdentalcare.com/blog/whats-your-toothbrush-made-of/

Dental hygiene noun – definition, pictures, pronunciation and … (n.d.-a).

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/