It really helps to know your body. So we will expel some of the myths, as well as explore the importance of personal hygiene – how keeping clean makes you feel better about yourself and helps you stay healthy.
And with cancer in the testicles affecting 1800 males across the UK every year – most commonly in those aged between 15-45 years old – learn to check your balls!
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Puberty
What is puberty?
Puberty is a time when your body changes from a child into an adult, often over five to six years and starting any time between ages nine and 17. As well as physical changes, hormones can also alter moods and feelings, affecting behaviour. One day someone may be upbeat, full of energy and happy, but the next day they feel a bit down and grumpy like the whole world’s against them.
It’s common for young people to feel worried and uncomfortable by changes to their bodies, especially when it comes to friends and others the same age. Our bodies are all shapes and sizes. Young people change at different rates during puberty. But try not to worry – it’s all completely natural!
Want to talk about it?
We can’t control our hormones – let’s face it, puberty can be difficult and sometimes confusing. It can help to talk to someone about these feelings so you don’t feel that you have to deal with it all by yourself. This might be a friend or family member, or one of the team at Caledonia Youth.
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How does your body change?
Hair
During puberty both boys and girls become hairier. This usually starts with hair growth on the arms and legs before it starts to grow in the armpits and around the genitals and groin, known as pubic hair.
Boys will also start to grow hair on their face and sometimes stomach, chest and back. No two people will have the same hair growth pattern or colour and the amount you have will often depend on your family history and ethnic background.
Voice
Both girls and boys voices deepen during puberty, although this is often not as noticeable in girls. The voice box is very sensitive to testosterone. As males have higher levels of this hormone, this is one of the reasons why a boy’s voice becomes deeper.
At the same time, the vocal chords and voice box grow causing the Adam ’s apple to appear in a male’s neck and the voice to further deepen. As this process happens over time, it can sometimes cause the voice to “break” or go “squeaky” between words as the voice settles down.
Penis and testicles
As boys begin puberty, their testicles start to grow bigger and produce sperm. The scrotum also becomes darker as hormones in the body change. Just as the testicles grow, so too does the penis. Males will also find that they will start getting erections. This is where the penis fills with blood when sexually excited - turned on - and it becomes bigger and harder.
During puberty, erections can happen without warning, and in what may seem like strange situations – even just sitting on the bus. Although males may feel a little embarrassed, this is perfectly normal. As hormones settle down, so too do these unexpected erections.
Breasts
As the hormone oestrogen starts to be released around a female’s body during puberty, breasts begin to grow along with the nipple and surrounding area called the areola. Just as breasts grow to different sizes, they will also grow at different speeds and can take up to four years to grow completely. During puberty, milk ducts underneath the breast will also develop making them ready for breast feeding.
Some males may also develop breast tissue during puberty. Although this may be a worry for some people, it is perfectly normal. As the male hormone testosterone increases in the body, breast growth will disappear.
Periods
During puberty females start to have periods anywhere between the ages of nine to 17, although most start around 12 or 13. Periods are caused by changing hormone levels in the body each month. During a period, an unfertilised egg along with the lining of the uterus, which will have built up over the previous month, will be released out of the vagina along with blood and mucus. This usually happens roughly once a month – every 21 to 35 days is normal - until a woman reaches the menopause in their 40’s or 50’s. Periods usually last between one and eight days.
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Masturbation
Masturbation involves touching your penis or your clitoris, vulva or vagina in a way that gives you sexual pleasure. It can also be known as wanking, frigging, tossing, jerking off and pleasuring yourself. Exciting sexual thoughts fill your head and, if you go long enough, you'll probably have an orgasm – rhythmic muscle contractions that produce a feeling of pleasure.
This is a natural and normal way of self exploration and sexual expression. It's also completely harmless, and can give you a lot of sexual pleasure without the risk of pregnancy or getting a sexually transmitted infection.
Personal Hygiene
Keeping your body clean is an important part of staying healthy and feeling good about yourself.
Sweat
Although we all sweat from an early age, it’s not until we reach puberty that it begins to smell. It’s not the sweat itself that smells but the bacteria living on your body that reacts with the sweat to cause body odour or BO - under your arms, around your groin and on your feet! Certain foods and alcohol can also have an influence on how you smell too!
The best way to deal with it is to shower every day. This washes away the bacteria and any stale sweat that may be lingering.
Clean clothes
Having clean clothes will also help with any BO problems. Wear loose fitting clothes and make sure you wear clean pants and socks every day. Learn to use the washing machine so you’re not dependant on others!
Hygiene for the girls
Vaginal area
The vagina actually cleans itself with its own mucous secretions, so there is no need to insert anything into the vagina to clean it. You don’t need to treat the outer area any differently to the rest of your body, although it’s better to avoid perfumed soaps and deodorants and, instead, use mild soap for washing.
Discharge
Discharge is usually a clear or whitish sticky mucous that girls and women all get at some point during the month. It’s useful to get to know what is normal for you, so you know when it’s not quite right. Colour, scent, texture and volume are all important. If for example the discharge becomes either yellowy green, smells fishy, has a texture like cottage cheese or there’s a lot of it, this might mean you have an infection. You can get it checked out easily by a doctor, Caledonia Youth or the GUM clinic.
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During your period
It’s important to change tampons and pads regularly – at least four or five times a day.
Tampons
Tampons are usually made from a mixture of natural cotton and rayon. It soaks up the blood – menstrual flow – from inside the vagina. There are two different types; applicator tampons, as the name suggests, have either a cardboard or plastic applicator, where the other type is inserted using your finger.
You can use tampons from your very first period, but some people prefer to start off with pads as tampons can take a bit of practice. They come in different absorbencies such as light, medium and heavy flow.
It’s REALLY important to change your tampons regularly and to use the lowest absorbency for your flow, because of a condition called Toxic Shock Syndrome. It can happen if you leave a tampon in for a long time, causing bacteria to build up and poisonous toxins to invade the bloodstream. Although it’s very rare, it’s something to be well aware of. So if you think you have it, phone NHS 24 or visit your GP.
Pads
Pads are made from absorbent materials that have sticky strips on the underside that you stick to your pants. Some have ‘wings’ on the side so you can wrap them around your pants for extra security. These are also available in different absorbencies, shapes and sizes, and some are scented.
Pads and tampons should be changed every three to four hours. Although it is OK to leave a pad on or a tampon in overnight, just remember to change them as soon as you can in the morning. Some people suffer from extremely heavy periods and may want to use both tampons and pads. If you are at all worried about your periods, speak to us at Caledonia Youth, or to your GP, or someone - and adult - you trust.
Hygiene for the guys
Penis and testicles
Like your body, your penis and testicles should be washed every day. As penises come in all shapes and sizes, don’t worry if yours looks different from anyone else’s. Some boys are circumcised, which means the foreskin - the fold of skin that covers the head of the penis - has been surgically removed. This is usually done for religious or cultural reasons, but will also be done for medical reasons. If you aren’t circumcised, when you are washing then pull back, retract, your foreskin and clean under it. This will stop a build up of natural secretions and dead skin cells called smegma.
It’s not normal for guys to have discharge from the penis. We’re not talking about when you are sexually aroused and have pre cum or cum coming out of your penis, we are talking about whitish or yellowy discharge that’s there all the time. If you do have discharge and it’s sore when you pee, then this could be a sign of infection and you need to get it checked out as soon as possible. Speak to us at Caledonia Youth or to your GP. Local GUM or sexual health service.
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Testicular Cancer
Cancer in the testicles affects 1800 males across the UK every year, most commonly in those aged between 15-45 years old. Although it is not yet known what causes testicular cancer, if a close family member has been diagnosed with it then you are at higher risk. If testicular cancer is detected early, then it is nearly always curable with fewer complications.
Signs and symptoms
- A hard lump or lumps on the testicle
- Swelling of a testicle
- Pain or discomfort in the scrotum or testicle
- A dull ache in the groin or stomach
How to check
From puberty onwards we advise the guys to begin regularly checking their testicles.
- Best time? - just after a bath or shower when the scrotum is soft, making it easier to feel the testicles
- What to do? - gently role each testicle in turn between the thumb and forefinger to check for lumps
The more frequently you check yourself, the better you will know your body, which will help you identify changes if they occur. If you feel anything unusual, it is important to make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible to check it out.
Body Myths - the Girls
1. Most girls start their periods by ten years old.
False, girls can start their periods at any age between nine and 17. Most will start at either 12 or 13 years old.
2. When a girl has her period she loses one litre of blood.
False, the amount of blood varies between a tablespoonful and half a small cupful.
3. Once a girl starts her period, she has one every 28 days.
False, after her first period, a girl’s next period may not come for quite a few months. After a while her periods should settle into a pattern. Once every 21 to 35 days is normal.
4. Each period lasts for one week.
False, anything between one to eight days is normal.
5. Periods are always very painful for a girl or woman.
False, periods are not always very painful but many girls have some discomfort before and during their periods. The pain could be anything from a mild ache to quite severe cramp like pains and breasts may feel tender or sore. If really painful, it would be a good idea for a girl to talk to her doctor. Otherwise having a warm bath, using a hot water bottle and taking mild exercise can help.
6. Girls should not play sports or go swimming when they have their periods.
False, girls can do normal things when having their periods. Exercise can also help with pain and discomfort. Although girls may not feel like doing sports or going swimming if they are having a heavy or painful period, gentle walking can help provide some relief.
7. Women have periods until they are over 45 years old.
True, as women get older their periods become less regular and then stop altogether. This is called the menopause. Once the periods stop altogether women can no longer get pregnant and have a baby. Periods can stop at any age between 40 and 55 – all women are different.
8. Periods stop when a woman is pregnant.
False, some women continue to have light bleeding off and on during their pregnancy.
9. A girl can get pregnant the first time she has sex.
True, a girl’s first period is nature’s signal that she is now fertile. However, a girl can still get pregnant before her first ever period if she has sex just before they are about to appear or during the time when they are irregular. A girl can also get pregnant if she has sex during her period.
10. Girls can get very moody and fed-up during puberty.
True, some girls can feel very moody during puberty due to changing hormones. Although this is healthy and normal, it might help to talk to someone about how you're feeling. If it's really bad, talk to Caledonia Youth or to your GP. However it is important for girls to be able to express their feelings with someone they can trust.
Body Myths - the Guys
1. Boys start to get erections during puberty.
False, many boys have erections from babyhood and all through their lives.
2. Erections can’t just happen by themselves.
False, sometimes boys get erections by touching their penises, but often erections just happen all by themselves, particularly during puberty.
3. Other people can tell when a boy or man has an erection.
False, unless a boy is wearing very tight clothing other people cannot tell if he is having an erection, and even then it may not be noticeable.
4. Boys start to produce sperm when they are ten years old.
False, most boys start to produce sperm when they are 13 or 14, although anything from ten to 18 is normal.
5. When a man or boy ejaculates, 300 million sperm come out.
True, there are up to 300 million sperm when a man or boy cums and up to six million sperm can be contained in pre cum. It only takes one to fertilize an egg!
6. All boys have wet dreams during puberty.
False, not all boys have wet dreams during puberty although it is likely that most will.
7. One testicle usually hangs lower than the other.
True, it is normal for one testicle to hang lower than the other. Guys should check their testicles for any unusual lumps or swelling.
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Testicular Cancer
8. All penises are the same size.
False, penises come in all different sizes. A smaller or larger penis is neither better nor worse than any other.
9. Boys usually start puberty later than girls.
True, boys usually start puberty a year or two later than girls, but for both sexes anything between nine and 17 is average.
10. Boys’ voices can get squeaky when the voice breaks.
True, it is normal for boys’ voices to alternate between high and squeaky and deep during puberty. It is normal to feel embarrassed about this.
11. Boys can get very moody and fed-up during puberty.
True, some boys can feel very moody during puberty due to changing hormones. It may be more difficult for boys to talk about their feelings than it is for girls, because of our culture and expectations for boys. It is important for boys to be able to express their feelings with someone they can trust. You can speak with someone at Caledonia Youth.