Physical changes in girls: frequently asked questions

My chest has grown a little and I have hair, now will I have my period?

At the beginning of puberty the breasts develop and hair grows in the armpits and genitals. Most often, the first period appears between two and two and a half years after the beginning of puberty. Six months before the first period, it is normal to start having a thicker and whiter vaginal discharge.

Is it normal that my breasts hurt and my veins become very marked?

In adolescence, a greater sensitivity in the breasts can be normal due to the hormonal changes that you are experiencing. It is also normal that they can hurt days before menstruation, since you can retain fluids and the tissues feel more delicate. This also produces that the veins are more noticeable, since the amount of blood that reaches the breasts increases. Whenever you notice a lump in the breasts or under the armpit, you should consult your doctor or gynecologist.

Why do I already have my period and my friend doesn't?

The age at which menstruation begins (menarche) and ends (menopause) is variable in each woman, no one can accurately predict when the first period will come, but it will be sometime during puberty.

Some girls begin puberty at 8 years old and others do not begin to undergo changes until 13 or 14. Puberty is the stage of life where the child becomes an adult, which involves many.

The average age of women is around 12 years old, and it is normal for it to appear between 9 and 14 years old. The age of onset depends on many factors: genetics, diet, race, or physical activity.

Why does the period come?

The first menstruation is a symptom that the woman has reached her physical and sexual maturity. During this, the woman secretes through the vagina a bloody discharge which is nothing other than the remains of the endometrium (a kind of mucosa that covers the uterus).

Does the period hurt more or less the first few times?

Some women suffer from what is called premenstrual syndrome: discomfort, irritability, and abdominal pain before their period. Not all women suffer from it and it does not always have the same intensity. pain during menstruation is called dysmenorrhea. Taking a pain reliever can help you feel better. The pain is due to the prostaglandins that cause uterine contractions and cause this pain.

On the other hand, the first rule or the next ones don't have to hurt. If the discomfort is very important, it is advisable to consult with the gynecologist.

Can you use a tampon from the beginning?

A tampon can be used from the first menstruation. It is important to read the instructions for use very well and wash your hands well before and after putting it on. You should change it regularly and use the level of absorption that best suits the flow you present.

As an alternative to the tampon, you can use the classic pads or, if you have a great ecological conscience, the menstrual cups that, in addition to protecting the environment, are much cheaper. You should use the method that is most comfortable and practical for you.

Is it true that once you have your period, it stops growing?

Behind the rule there is the myth that you do not grow any more. That's not true. It is true that at puberty there is a "stretch" and it grows at a higher speed, but after the first menstruation the girl can still grow 5 to 8 centimeters more on average.

Undoubtedly the rule reveals that the adolescent is in the final stretch of her growth. During the previous two years she has grown a lot but having her period means that the ovaries are producing in high amounts hormones, estrogens, which close the growth plate. After the rule it will grow about three more years but the growth rate is small and decreasing.

Why are the children in my class shorter than us?

It is a fact that boys at these ages are shorter and more immature than girls. The explanation lies in the fact that girls start puberty earlier, between 8 and 13 years of age. Instead, they arrive later in development and do not start until they are 10 to 15 years old. Most boys reach and exceed girls in height but the differences are not palpable until after 15 years.

Why do boys' voices change and girls don't?

At puberty, boys' bodies begin to produce a large amount of testosterone, a male hormone that causes changes in various parts of the body, including the voice. Under the influence of testosterone, the larynx (where the voice is produced) is enlarged. Before adolescence, the larynx in boys is small with thin vocal cords. Therefore, the voice it produces is high-pitched and childlike. But as the bones, cartilage, and vocal cords grow, the voice deepens, like that of an adult.

Also, in men, when the larynx grows, it tilts and forms a different angle within the neck. A part protrudes in front of the throat and forms the so-called Adam's apple.

Remember that with it you have a 24-hour Pediatric Guidance service, to be able to make any consultation related to the health of your children.

• The age of the first period varies between 9 and 13-14 years, being the most common around 12.
• During puberty there is a “stretch” and growth is faster, but after the first menstruation, girls can still grow 5 to 8 centimeters more on average.
• It is normal for the breasts to be sore the days before the menstruationas it can retain fluids and tissues feel more delicate.

Dra. Esther Martínez García Pediatric Specialist