Biological Female Anatomy Biological Female Anatomy Add video to playlist Create Playlist Judah Remove Playlist Judah Add Playlist Remy Add Playlist Girls Add Playlist Middle School Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Relationships Add Playlist Safety and Abuse Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist soocool Add Playlist Riri10 Remove Playlist Pregnancy and Reproduction Add Playlist Sexual Orientation Add Playlist Mom Add Playlist Gender Add Playlist Body Image Add Playlist Hormones Add Playlist Emotions Add Playlist Male Anatomy Add Playlist Female Anatomy Remove Playlist Videos for 5 years old and older Add Playlist Blue Cedar Path Academy Add Playlist gabby Add Playlist gisele Remove Playlist Slater Add Playlist Rejection Add Playlist Listening & Communication Add Playlist Internet Safety Add Playlist Bullying & Harrassment Add Playlist Sex & Gender Add Playlist Sexual Orientation Add Playlist Body Image Add Playlist Emotions Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Female Puberty Remove Playlist Male Puberty Add Playlist Consent Add Playlist Relationships Add Playlist Penis Add Playlist Puberty Remove Playlist Anatomy Remove Playlist Vincent’s 2nd Playlist Add Playlist Vincent’s New Playlist Add Playlist Need to Know Remove Playlist New Sex Education Add Playlist Rutgers Add Playlist HGD 2019 Add Playlist 교육용 Add Playlist Athena Add Playlist Talks to Start With Add Playlist Máximo Add Playlist gvc 1 Add Playlist Early Childood Add Playlist Icandy98 Add Playlist MI Do Not Use & PP Add Playlist Reproductive Health Add Playlist Puberty Lesson 1 Add Playlist Health and Wellness Group Add Playlist Part 3 Healthy Relationships Add Playlist Part 2 Personal Safety Add Playlist Part 1 Puberty Remove Playlist Riley Add Playlist STDs Add Playlist Relationships Add Playlist About Girls Remove Playlist For Daniel Add Playlist HEALTH Add Playlist Relationships Add Playlist Healthy Relationships Add Playlist Keeping Safe Add Playlist Gender Identity Add Playlist Sexual Orientation Add Playlist Sexually Transmitted Diseases Add Playlist Making and Preventing Babies Add Playlist Puberty: Changes in Boys Add Playlist Puberty: Emotions Add Playlist Puberty: Changes in Girls Remove Playlist Mrs. Epstein Add Playlist Kiddo1 Remove Playlist Soph health Add Playlist A Add Playlist NVCC Adolescence workshop Remove Playlist J7 Remove Playlist nini Add Playlist Videos for Health and Wellness Add Playlist Puberty, Body, & Sex Info Remove Playlist Anatomy Remove Playlist Middle School sex ed Add Playlist Educational Add Playlist Support for tough events Add Playlist Conversation starters Add Playlist Pubertatea Add Playlist Family Life 2019 Add Playlist Puberty 7th grade Remove Playlist Piper Playlist Add Playlist Girl Talk Remove Playlist Puberty HPE Remove Playlist HG & D Add Playlist Reproduction Add Playlist relationships Add Playlist Biological Female Anatomy | Puberty Body Image Youth Most people have the same basic body parts—heads, arms, legs and feet. While we are mostly similar, we do have different reproductive and sexual organs. A person who is female or assigned the sex of female at birth typically has these parts that are visible on the outside of the body: the pubic mound, the inner and outer lips (or labia), the clitoris, the urethra, the vaginal opening and the anus. People with vaginas also have a variety of internal reproductive organs, including ovaries, Fallopian or uterine tubes, a uterus and a vagina. When a person with a vagina goes through puberty, the ovaries begin to release tiny eggs about once a month. When one of the ovaries releases an egg, it travels down the Fallopian or uterine tubes toward the uterus. Each month when there is no pregnancy, the uterus sheds its extra lining and pushes it out through the vagina. This is what is commonly called “getting your period.” It is important to take care of one’s sexual health by knowing what your body is like when it’s healthy and seeking medical care if anything should change with how your body functions, looks or smells. FAQs What are the first changes I might notice? There are no set changes that happen for everyone. Some girls begin with growth spurts during which they grow taller. For others, the first sign may be that their breasts begin to grow or hair starts to grow under their arms and in their pubic area. What is menstruation and why do girls get periods? During puberty, girls begin to get their menstrual periods. Menstrual periods are when a small amount of blood and tissue leave the body through the vagina over the course of a few days. It happens about once every month and can last from a couple of days to a week. Some girls have cramps during their periods while others don’t. Girls commonly use a maxi pad, tampon or feminine hygiene cup to manage the blood that leaves their body during a period. When a girl gets her first period, it signals that her body has begun ovulating. Ovulation happens once a month when a hormone or chemical in the body signals a girl’s ovaries to release an egg or ovum. This means that if a girl has unprotected sex she could become pregnant. The hormone estrogen is also released to signal to the girl’s uterus to build up its lining. If after sex an egg is fertilized by a sperm, the fertilized egg will implant in the lining and cause a pregnancy. If an egg is not fertilized within 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, the egg dies and disintegrates. Two weeks later, when the uterus realizes there is no fertilized egg, the built-up lining of the uterus is released, or shed, during a girl’s menstrual period. What changes do boys go through during puberty? Boys often begin puberty a little later than girls. Below are some common changes boys go through during puberty: Growing hair on the face, under the arms and in the genital area Growing taller Broadening shoulders Deepening voice Having frequent and at times spontaneous erections Possibly experiencing wet dreams, meaning ejaculating semen while sleeping. (This is normal if it happens and normal if it does not.) RELATED VIDEOS Boobs and More Top Signs Girls are in Puberty All About Getting Your Period Period Hygiene: Tampons, Pads and Menstrual Cups Bodies: Different Shapes and Sizes. All Beautiful! Menstruation: What To Expect Why Don't I Like The Way I Look? Close Close Close Close Close Close Close Additional Resources Sex, Etc. Kids Health Parents Most young people go through the many physical, emotional and social changes of puberty between the ages of 9 and 15. If caring adults use the appropriate anatomical names for children’s body parts, this lays the foundation for talking about the changes of puberty before and while young people are experiencing them. It is also essential to assure young people that these changes are normal. Helping young people identify ways to cope with these changes can make this stage of life less stressful. Talking about these changes with the young people in your life lets them know that they are not alone and that they can come to their parents or guardians if they have questions or need support. CONVERSATION STARTERS Have dinner together and talk about what is going on in your tween’s life When she mentions a friend you know, you can say, “Wow, Amber has really developed this year.” You can then use this time to talk about how different people go through puberty at different ages. Buy menstrual pads or tampons for your child When you get home and unpack the groceries, tell your daughter that you bought these for her. Explain that you know that she hasn’t gotten her period yet and that it may still be awhile, but you want her to know that these things are here for her when she needs them. You can go on to talk more about how to use them and/or tell her you are always there for her, whenever she wants to talk more about these things. Educators Most young people go through the many physical, emotional and social changes of puberty between the ages of 9 and 15. During this time, it is important for health educators to use the appropriate anatomical names for body parts and educate students about how the body functions. This lays the foundation for lessons that require knowledge of anatomy. Explaining the changes of puberty to young people before and while they are going through them will help reassure them that these changes are normal. Helping young people identify ways to cope with these changes can make this stage of life less stressful. Talking about these changes with the young people lets them know that they are not alone and that they can come to their parents, guardians or other trusted adults if they have questions or need support. Discussion Questions After watching the video with your class, process it using the following discussion questions: What are some of the external body parts that were mentioned in the video? What is the function of that body part? What are some of the internal body parts that were mentioned in the video? What is the function of that body part? Were there any body parts or names for body parts that were new or surprising to you? How might using the correct anatomy terms be useful to someone? RESOURCES 5th Grade—Lesson 1: Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy 5th Grade—Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy PowerPoint 7th Grade—Lesson 1: Every Body’s Got Party Parts—Parts 1 7th Grade—Lesson 2: Every Body’s Got Party Parts—Parts 2 Is This Normal? Your Amazing Body Rights, Respect, Responsibility: Making Sense of Puberty Websites Advocates for Youth Answer Planned Parenthood SIECUS YTH ASHA Books Changing You!: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality An honest and reassuring guide to puberty for elementary school children Gail Saltz It's So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies Robie H. Harris Sex Is a Funny Word A Book About Bodies, Feelings, and YOU Cory Silverberg For Goodness Sex Changing the Way We Talk to Kids About Sexuality, Values, and Health Al Vernacchio Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids’ "Go-To" Person About Sex Deborah Roffman