The term simply implies the onset of sexual maturity, when a girl steps into her youth and is in a position to menstruate. Puberty occurs in both sexes, when changes in body organs and surfaces appear.
In young girls, the following symptoms/ characteristics will herald the onset of puberty:
• Growth of hair in arm-pits and pubes.
• Matured voice and deepening of the voice.
• Prominence of nipples and—elevation thereof.
• Tingling sensation on slightest touch on the clitoris, labia majora, and nipples and pain in nipples with tenderness.
• Flushings on the face or reddening of face and eyes on the mere sight of the opposite sex, and an urge to establish rapport with the boys.
• Taking delight in amorous and sex-related talk, matters, pictures, movies, periodicals, photos etc.
• Bleeding from the vagina (onset of menstruation) is an amazing event in a young girl’s life.
• A sense of Narcissism (when one begins to love one’s own self) develops.
• Breasts start to protrude and there is roundness around the nipples which assume a light brown colour. Enlargement of breasts is a novel experience for the girls, who walk stoop-shouldered, lest others notice the change.
Puberty is the most amazing, yet tantalising, experience for girls as bodily changes take place. It is but natural for the young girl to get hyper-nervous. In certain girls, breasts enlarge at a rapid pace, when the use of a bra becomes a necessity. In order to overcome elements of mental trauma and surprise an elderly lady should take the initiative of educating the girl, in detail so that misgivings do not surface nor is there any occasion for confusion.
How to educate and guide a girl at a puberty stage
Physical changes, onset of menses with resultant bleeding and attendant complaints before, during and after menses, should not be overlooked by elderly ladies. In fact, girls are generally, fully informed due to the dissemination of relevant knowledge by books, audio-visual media and mutual discussions between senior and junior girls.
Elements of hesitancy and mental reservation should be given a go-bye and, in this respect, the mother or the senior sister or sister-in-law or some other female member has to take upon herself the onus of guiding the young girl. Following methods/devices may be adopted for the purpose viz. :
• She should be frankly told that all young girls have to pass through the pubic stage and there is nothing new or surprising.
• Let her be provided with some literature and induced and motivated to study even each and every minute detail, so that her fear psychosis may disappear.
• She should be educated about common complications, like bleeding from the vagina, amount of menstrual blood, pain in the back and head, occasional mental agitation, paleness of face, cold extremities and run-down conditions—all of which subside as soon as menstrual flow ceases.
• Personal hygiene factor bears utmost importance and it is a myth that menstruating ladies should not take baths, abjure daily chores, lead a sedentary life, give up studies, eat less or perform no physical activity at all.
• The girl must not conceal any psychic or physical problem from her mother or doctor as, it will simply lead to further complications which, if allowed to prolong, may permeate into permanent problems.
• They should be guided towards the use and change of sanitary towels and wash her vagina and outer parts with some bland and non-irritating (medicated) water.
• The girls should not wear tight bras lest the shape and development of their breasts get adversely affected, nor should extremely loose bras be used (to avoid any shabbiness or uneasiness).
• The girl and her mentor/guide should have close rapport and there should be no inhibition or hesitancy either in disclosing problems or in suggesting a way out. Puberty is a common occurrence and there is cause for any alarm or surprise over changes in body organs and development thereof.
Menstruation (menses)
Puberty is a forerunner of menses, which means that the young girl has now reached a stage when she can conceive. Since the event is unique in their life, they are liable to get confused, worried and nervous which factors can be easily resolved by judicious and sympathetic guidance. Generally, it is difficult to draw a dividing line between puberty and menstruation, because the onset is almost simultaneous in most cases, though there are exceptions too. The onset of menses is a clear indication that the young girl is ready to become a mother, provided other factors are also favourable and congenial. No girl could ever become a mother if she does not menstruate which is, a first step towards motherhood.
Facts about the process of menstruation
• It is a natural process—a novel and sudden experience for the girls, who have entered the threshold of youth, and is an indication, pointing towards their impending motherhood.
• It is a natural episode and all fears doubts or misgivings should find no place.
• Normally, a girl between the age of 11-14 years or even over 14 years, starts passing blood from her genitals on the 28th day of each month and bleeding continues for about 4 days. These are normal parameters, which often vary, as every girl is a law unto herself. To explain this point further, it is necessary to note that certain girls menstruate even at the 9th or 10th year and bleeding may last even after 4 days or may cease even earlier. So, earlier or delayed onset of menses should neither cause any alarm nor any confusion. Further, menstrual flow may last a little earlier or later, which in most cases, should be taken as a normal course, provided there are no other disturbing symptoms.
further, it is necessary to note that certain girls menstruate even in the 9th or 10th year and bleeding may last even after 4 days or may cease even earlier. So, earlier or delayed onset of menses should neither cause any alarm nor any confusion. Further, menstrual flow may last a little earlier or later, which in most cases, should be taken as a normal course, provided there are no other disturbing symptoms.
• There is no set rule regarding the quantity of blood passed (which is about 12 ounces in a total period of 4 days) but exceptions are still there.
• Excessive passage of blood and quantity of blood passed may vary in certain individuals. If an excess amount is passed, the doctor should be consulted and remedial steps taken. But, if the flow is scanty, or if the onset is normal, but the flow of blood is either interrupted or even stopped, it calls for medical advice.
• Menses may be either :
Scanty, Retarded, Excessive, Delayed, Premature, or May cease after onset, May stop and resume after a few days, or May be painful.
All the aforementioned states constitute a disease (in each case) causes of which must be investigated and corrective/remedial steps taken in time.
Most of the ladies may show anyone, the same or all of the following symptoms:
• Aching or heaviness of the head.
• Backache and pain in pubic region.
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Sensation of weight in the waist and thighs. Pruritis and/or excessive sweating.
• Palpitation.
• Agitated and withdrawn behaviour.
• Declination to do any mental or physical activity or else tends to take rest.
• Run-down feeling and general weakness. Pallor and low spirits.
• Revulsion from coitus or, in rare case, intense and irrepressible desire for coition.
• Blemishes, blackheads, black patches on the face, or Acne (Facial pimples)
• Some girls pass blood from the nose, ears or anus instead of from their genitals, which is a grave symptom (Vicarious Menstruation) and should be treated by a doctor at the earliest. In certain cases, surgical interference may be the only alternative, especially when medicines fail to yield desired results.
• Certain girls, suffer psychic upsets that may adversely affect the flow of blood—it could either be scanty or profuse, depending on the health condition of the subject girl.
• Anaemia is a common symptom with most girls, who have drooping sensations, pant even on the slightest labour, suffer from lumbago or indigestion, eructations, belching and flatulence which symptoms can be easily managed.
• If menses cease, after having been established and running a full course, indicate that the girl is pregnant.
Conception cannot be had without mating, hence there is always a danger of virgin girls becoming ‘Virgin mothers’ which, in our society, is unchaste, so the girl’s high rate of sexual
urge during or after cessation of monthly menses, and unethical events should be guided to control their passions, by diverting their attention to other aspects.
Chances of conception are far brighter after the menstrual period is over, but here male is quite often the culprit, though the blame is laid at the door of ladies. This trend must be reversed. Instead of shifting the blame to either partner, both should be subjected to relevant tests so as to pinpoint where and with whom the fault dies.
Onset and change in menstrual periods depend on hormonal secretions, which also aspect the development of various body organs, mood, behaviour and temperament.
Positive approach
• Menstruation is a natural sequence in every woman’s life and there ought to be no room for, myths, taboos, inhibitions and reservations, hence elements of privacy and secrecy must not be overplayed—rather sincere, sustained, healthy, and educative approach should be adhered to, instead of giving way to damaging aspects.
• If any symptom surfaces the same, must be treated without delay.
• Avoid consumption of narcotics, spices, condiments and fats.
• Take plenty of green and leafy vegetables fruits (seasonal and fresh), milk and milk products, wholegrains and pulses.
• Do not lead a sedentary life nor burden your body with too hard labour—avoid the acute angle in both cases. Take proper rest and maintain normal physical activity.
• Remain cheerful and happy, giving no way to sadness and anxiety.
• During the period of menstrual flow, abstain from coitus which may be had after the menstrual period is over.
• Contain and control your sexual urge, preferably by keeping yourself engaged in other constructive and useful jobs.
• If you are a working lady, attend to your official work as usual. The menstruation period should never be utilised as an excuse for idling at home. It may be noted that the more you are active, carefree and jovial, the less the chances are there for any disorders or complications.
• Lactating mothers can resume breastfeeding their infants after menses have ceased, though there is hardly any cogent evidence to the contrary, as far as possible avoid breastfeeding your baby during this period.
• Profuse and vicarious bleeding must be contained and regulated after the contributory cause of the malady has been deduced.
• Keep your bowel movement regular, as constipation or loose motions are liable to upset your digestive process.
• Wear only light, loose clothes according to climatic demands and guard your body fully against sudden weather changes and thermic fluctuations.
• Your mental approach plays an undisputedly conspicuous role in the management of menses. Hence, give no way to worry, anxiety or fear.
Individual suitability and adaptability are purely a matter of personal approach to life, as suggested methods may not suffice to meet every individual’s needs. So, the most suitable devices need to be moderated, adjusted and changed to meet individual demands. Further, avoid taking any medicine (and more so, homoeopathic medicines which must not be taken immediately before or during menstruation) as far as possible but, when the situation actually demands and when there is no let-up or respite, from disturbing symptoms, proper and timely treatment must not be avoided or delayed, as problems may complicate, thereby creating even irreversible maladies.