The invisible changes
There are some invisible changes that happen in your body in your reproductive organs like ovaries, uterus and vagina. These are the changes that also have an impact on the visible changes in your body.
OVARIES:
There are two ovaries in your body, one on either side of the uterus and below the fallopian tube. These organs are located in the lower abdomen, beneath what we loosely call the "stomach". Ovaries are about an inch long, approximately the size and shape of an almond and contain tiny egg cells. All the eggs are in a "frozen" state before puberty; the eggs have been in your ovaries from before you were born, while you were still in your mother's womb. At puberty each ovary alternatively releases an egg or ovum every month, however sometimes two or more ova (the plural of ovum) may get released from the ovaries.
The hormone called estrogen is also produced in the ovary. The pituitary gland sends the message to the ovaries to produce this hormone. Estrogen is responsible for making a girl grow up to have a woman's body and make it possible for her to have children.
UTERUS:
The uterus is also called a womb. It is an upside-down pear-shaped structure inside a woman's abdomen, which is hollow and made of smooth muscles. This is where the baby will grow, and during pregnancy the uterus expands to accommodate a full-grown fetus (an unborn child). The uterus is wider at the top and narrows into a neck called the cervix, which opens into the upper end of the vagina. You can feel your cervix by putting a clean finger deep inside your vagina. It is conical shaped and feels hard and muscular.
FALLOPIAN TUBES:
The fallopian tubes are also called uterine tubes or oviducts. The two fallopian tubes are trumpet shaped and are located close to their respective ovaries. These tubes open on each side into the upper end of the uterus. The fallopian tubes pick up the egg released in their respective ovaries and push it into the uterus and it takes 3 to 7 days for the ovum to reach the uterus. If the egg gets fertilized in the fallopian tube by the sperm (from the man), a baby is formed, and if not, menstruation occurs.
VAGINA:
The vagina is the passageway or a muscular tube extending from the cervix to the external genitals. The opening of the vagina is between the urinary opening and the anus. Every woman has three openings in the genital area -
The external genital structure also consists of a Clitoris, which is a small cylindrical body and is situated above the urinary opening. The Clitoris is the sole organ in the female body which exists only to provide women with sexual pleasure. It has no other function.
Near the opening of the vagina is the porous membrane called the Hymen. The Hymen stretches from one wall of the vagina to the other. Hymens vary in thickness and may even be absent in some girls. Being porous it can allow menstrual blood to escape through it. In rare cases, this circular opening is absent, blocking the menstrual flow and medical supervision should be sought in such a case. The hymen tears or gets ruptured during the first penetrative sexual act (intercourse) and is accompanied with little bleeding and pain. But in most girls it can also get ruptured during exercise and activities like swimming, riding, or cycling. So long before your first sexual experience or even puberty, the hymen can tear.
The visible changes:
GROWTH SPURT:
There is a sudden increase in height and the body fills out. The greatest increase in height occurs around 10 or 11 years for girls, however the rate of growth varies from one person to the other - for some it is rapid and for others slow. Girls in the beginning are taller than boys, however boys generally outgrow girls by the end of puberty. A girl usually stops growing between 16 - 18 years. As your height increases, you may notice your hips widening, as the pelvic bones begin to change their shape. This period of growth can be very awkward because not all parts of us are growing at the same rate and pace, so many of us feel uncomfortable and weird. And people around us don't make it any easier by constantly noticing it and talking about it!
BREASTS:
Breasts will start to develop and will become larger and fuller. At this stage you might need to start wearing a bra to help you feel more comfortable and secure. They enlarge with a deposit of fat during the adolescent stage. They become soft and rounded and you will also notice the nipples growing. Some girls develop breasts sooner than the others do and there is a variation in the size as well - some will have large breasts and others small. It is normal if your one breast is slightly larger than the other. Breasts have milk glands and milk tubes that open into the nipple. During breast feeding the baby sucks on the nipples to get milk and the breast milk provides nourishment to the baby as it is very nutritious. At this stage the breasts feel tender and sensitive, which is normal.
HAIR GROWTH:
You will notice hair growing on your arms, your underarms, your legs, your upper lip etc.. Hair will also grow in your pubic area, this is a V-shaped area above your vagina. This is called pubic hair and it is thicker, darker, curlier and coarser than the hair on your head.
VAGINAL DISCHARGE:
You may notice damp spots of white, yellowish, or clear colored fluid on your underpants. Your whole genital area may feel wet and slippery. It is a natural discharge from your vagina, called the vaginal discharge. A light colored discharge is perfectly normal, however if it is not clear, yellowish, or whitish, or if it is thick and has a bad smell or if it feels itchy, it might be a vaginal infection. In this situation, you must tell your parents and see a doctor. There is nothing to feel ashamed about. Remember your well being is very important and should always be a priority.
BODY ODOUR:
Your sweat glands (under your arms and in your genital area) are becoming more active. When sweat comes into contact with bacteria on your skin it can create an unpleasant smell, both in adolescent boys and girls. To wash the sweat and bacteria away, you need a shower or a bath every day or twice in summer and make sure you wash your underarms and genital area very well. You can also use a deodorant for your underarms after your bath. Be careful that the deoderant is not an anti persiperant as that blocks your sweat pores and therefore doesnt allow your skin to breathe. The best natural deoderant you can use is Alum.
PIMPLES:
Your oil glands or 'sebaceous glands' produce an oily substance called sebum. If the sebum blocks the pores of your skin and combines with bacteria, you could get pimples. In order to keep the pimples away, keep yourself clean. Wash your face at least twice daily to get rid of the oil on your face. If the problem persists and the pimples become painful, you can consult a doctor or a skin specialist.
SEXUAL FEELINGS:
At this stage you might start to feel sexually aroused, and spend time in a fantasy world thinking about love and sex. Don't feel guilty about these feelings, all boys and girls feel sexual at this stage and it is completely normal. The hormones jumping around inside you make you feel more sexual and your body is changing. You might also start masturbating, which many young people engage in at this time.