Reproductive health for teens
What teens need to know about reproductive health and cleanliness.
Do you have children aged from nine to 16? Tweens and teens need know how their bodies work and what they can expect in the next couple of years. This can be a scary time for adolescents and if parents are not forthcoming with helpful advice and guidelines, they are likely to look for information elsewhere – possibly from peers or the internet. This advice may not always be accurate or bring across the message that you would like to convey, based on your own values and how you would like to raise your child.
For the girls
- Girls from about the age of nine years should be told about the menstrual cycle, before the onset of the first period. As a parent, talk to your child about her body, sex, pregnancy and monthly periods. This will help to prepare the tween for the coming changes in her body.
- As breasts start to develop, purchase bras for your daughter. The breast buds can be very tender and a sports bra, seamless bra or T-shirt bra can be more comfortable. Choose a neutral colour that isn’t visible under her school uniform.
- Adolescent girls may have a discharge before the menstrual cycle commences. Purchase panty liners to help prevent odour and staining.
- Buy feminine hygiene products for your daughter to have on hand when the first period starts. It is also a good idea to pack a small toiletry bag for your daughter to keep in her school case, just in case the period starts at school. Discuss the products: pads, tampons and menstural cups, and show your daughter the correct way to use them and how to dispose of them hygienically. Explain how often she should change her pad during the day.
- Some urban myths surrounding menstruation still abound. Reassure your daughter that she can take a bath or shower during her period. This is extremely important to ensure proper hygiene during this time.
- If your daughter participates in sports, you may want to discuss the use of tampons. These can be easier, especially for swimming and very active sports. There is no threat to her virginity with tampon use.
- Encourage good general hygiene. Your daughter must bath or shower daily. Provide her with skin care products and deodorant to help prevent body odour.
- If your daughter is sexually active then you need to speak to your healthcare practitioner or local clinic sister about birth control. It is important to have this discussion with her, even if you are unsure of whether she is sexually active. You should broach the subject about pregnancy protection and the pros and cons of birth control. Discuss the need to use condoms every time they engage in sexual activity, to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Your doctor may suggest the Pill if your daughter has very heavy periods or experiences painful periods. It may also be prescribed as an acne treatment.
- Your daughter should understand that only abstinence is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy and STIs.
- Consider the vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer. There are different vaccines available in South Africa. The vaccines should ideally be given to girl’s age nine to 13 years of age, but can be given at a later age. It is best given before the girl becomes sexually active. Three doses are required.
- As your daughter begins to grow and develop, she will start to grow hair under her arms, on her legs and in the pubic area. She may want to start shaving. Show her the right way to shave – using a clean razor, shaving cream or soap and warm water. Razors should not be shared amongst family members – each should have their own.
- Once your daughter has settled into a routine with her menstrual cycle, consider a well-women check-up at your local GP or gynaecologist. The gynae will provide a scan to ensure the ovaries are functioning correctly. Pap smears are recommended from age 25 but earlier if the girl is sexually active.
- If your daughter has very heavy periods or her cycle is very irregular then consider an earlier check-up.
For the boys
- Good hygiene starts with daily washing and keeping the body clean. Provide your son with soap and shampoo so that he can keep himself clean.
- Even as early as nine years of age, smelly feet can be a problem (for girls too). If the problem does become difficult to manage, consider foot power to help with odour.
- Your son will start puberty from age nine to 15 years of age. As testosterone is produced, a number of changes will take place in his body. First the scrotum and testes start to grow bigger, followed by the penis. A young boy’s voice also breaks during puberty.
- Body odour is a part of puberty so encourage your son to use a deodorant every day.
- Ideally, boys from three years of age should be taught to treat the penis and testes with care and keep them clean when they wash in the bath or shower. On uncircumcised boys if the foreskin is easy to retract then your son can be taught to wash under the foreskin. From puberty, boys must wash under the foreskin every day. If at this time the foreskin is not able to fully retract, see your doctor.
- Teach your son from an early age to protect his genital area. If he plays sport, you must purchase a ‘box’ for him. This is to protect his genitals if he gets hit in the genital area. Always see a doctor if your son has been hit and the pain has not subsided within an hour, or there is swelling or bruising.
- Talk to your son about sex, the normal functioning of a boy’s body and the use of condoms as protection when he becomes sexually active. A ‘wet dream’ can be frightening for a boy if he isn’t aware of what is happening. Some boys even think they have wet the bed! An erection at night, with ejaculation, is normal. He should practice good hygiene, clean his penis in the morning and change his underwear in the morning. Keep an open-door policy so he can come to you with any concerns or questions.
- Tell your son that he should let you (either parent or another trusted male) know if he experiences burning, swelling, rashes, itching or discomfort in his genital area. He will likely need to visit the doctor.
Resources
- Web MD, www.webmd.com
- Health Line, www.healthline.com
- Kid’s Health, kidshealth.org
- Cancer Association South Africa (CANSA), www.cansa.org.za
- Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited, raisingchildren.net.au