Puberty can be bewildering. There are so many changes happening at once. Many teenagers worry about whether their experiences are normal. And it gets more confusing if you compare yourself to others as everyone can develop at a different rate. The thing is, we all go through puberty at our own speed. Here are some questions frequently asked by girls that may help.
Q: Am I normal if my breasts start to develop when I’m 12 but I don’t get my period until I’m fourteen years old?
A: We all develop at different rates. Some young women will develop breasts and start menstruating in the same year. For most young women breast development and the start of the menstrual cycle can take from one to two years. If you notice a vaginal discharge, this will indicate that your period is not far away.
Q: My period lasts for only two days one month and then goes for five days the next month. Is this normal?
A: Most adult women’s periods last for 2 to 7 days, generally with a light flow, or ‘spotting’ in the final days. Your period will settle down to approximately the same number of days each period as you get older.
Q: I have a smelly, vaginal discharge that is yellowish or whitish and it feels itchy. What is it?
A: The non-clear discharge may indicate an overgrowth of a yeast in the vagina causing ‘thrush’. The discharge from thrush can look a bit like cottage cheese. Thrush is easily treated. Ask a parent or an adult you trust to take you to a doctor or pharmacist.
Q: My period is really heavy in the first few days, and then gets less and less during the fourth and fifth days. Is this normal?
