Puberty—Its Look Different

As your breasts start to develop during puberty, your nipples will go through some changes as well. As you start to get breasts, you may notice that the areola, the dark skin around the nipple, starts to grow.

As your whole breast gets larger, both your nipple and your areola will get darker in color and also start to "stick out" a little. That is, they'll become their own little mound on top of your breast.

Some girls' nipples stick out when they're cold or excited; other girls' don't. If yours do, and this bothers you, you can choose to wear a bra with a little bit of padding so your nipples aren't as visible.

Some girls are born with what are called inverted or retracted nipples. Inverted nipples are like innie belly buttons: They stick inward instead of outward. Inverted nipples are totally normal.

It's not unusual for your puberty nipples to give out a little bit of milky fluid, so don't freak out if this happens to you.

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What Is Syphilis

Gonorrhea

The common symptoms of gonorrhea are vaginal discharge and burning with urination, but there may be no symptoms. It commonly leads to PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). Gonorrhea can be treated and cured with antibiotics.

Syphilis

Syphilis produces its symptoms in stages. In the early stage there's usually a painless sore in or near the vagina (or mouth, anus or hands) and swollen lymph nodes in the area of the sore. The infection could be dormant for years until stage 2—when there's a skin rash that lasts for months, often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Stage 3 affects the heart, the central nervous system and other internal organs. It can be cured with antibiotics, usually penicillin.

Other STDs

Some other STDs you may hear about are trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, cytomegalovirus, scabies and pubic lice.

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Envy and Jealousy – The Green Monsters

Envy and jealousy can make you crazy. Envy is wanting what another person has: If your best friend has a great boyfriend, you could be happy for her, AND want your OWN great boyfriend (not necessarily hers). We all have envy now and then.

Jealousy is a nastier animal—it involves resentment and bitterness. If you're jealous of your friend, you might wish that she LOSES her boyfriend and becomes an old maid. Jealousy eats you alive and makes you feel like a you-know-what. Jealousy is rooted in anger. So if you find yourself feeling jealous, ask yourself, "Why should a friend's success make me feel bitter? Why am I so angry?"

What they tell us

But envy and jealousy give us information. If you notice, you only get envious of things you WANT. If your best friend gets into a science fair and you hate chemistry, you'll probably just feel happy for her, not envious. But, say she auditions for a play and gets a lead role—and you get envious. Maybe you have a desire to be an actor, but are afraid to try, or can't admit it's one of your dreams.

So pay attention to what you're envious of. If it's a secret dream of yours, build up the courage to go after it yourself.

Now if you're jealous of your friend, maybe you feel like she doesn't deserve a lead role. First of all, who are you to decide what someone else deserves? We all have different paths in life and get different things at different times. Maybe you think YOU deserve it and that's why you're angry. Okay, so do you? Have you taken an acting class? Or at the very least, did you audition? Promise yourself that until you take the actions, you won't be jealous of other people's results.

Tips for when you feel envy and jealousy:

Be honest

Is it something you want to do? Are you willing to do what it takes to go after it?

Take action

With envy AND jealousy, your attention is on what someone else has. If you're focusing on her, who's focusing on YOU? Don't waste energy feeling bad, but instead take action.

Focus on the good stuff

Finally, if you feel envy and jealousy toward a friend, consider this: Ask yourself, "Do I want to be her?" Sure it would be great to pick and choose bits and pieces of people's lives that we want. But everyone gets a mixed bag. If you look inside yours, you'll see you have a lot of good stuff going on, too. Focus on it, build on it, be happy about it. Your life will be better without envy and jealousy in it.

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Dealing With Teachers

That droning robot of a geometry teacher only smiles when he starts the class with a pop quiz. Your English teacher has yet to say one positive thing about your writing, which you were always told is more than good. It's weeks into the semester, and your third period history teacher has yet to learn anyone's name. The movies and TV are filled with examples of teachers who don't do their job very well. Now this year you meet one of the reasons why.

Most of us have been lucky enough to learn firsthand that there are some incredible teachers in this world, but just like with any other profession, there are a few who are less than incredible. Whether you've lucked out this term or are dealing with teachers, establishing at least a respectful relationship with your teachers is important. Teachers have the power to appoint and recommend, to advise and support, to grade generously or not. You have the power to put yourself in a positive light, regardless of how boring or unfair or bad-tempered you believe your teacher to be.

Put yourself in your teacher's shoes. Who would you feel more kindly towards: the kids who chat and pass notes and roll their eyes, or the ones who make eye contact, raise their hands and ask questions? The simple truth is that teachers have the educational background to equip you with knowledge. But they are not psychiatrists or social workers. The most dedicated cannot take a pack of students ready to party and force information into their brains.

If you're dealing with teachers and not connecting with them, try these tips:

·  Schedule a private conference to ask questions, inquire about a career in the subject (it's obviously your teacher's favorite), or talk about how you're doing in class. Lots of times, dealing with teachers one-on-one will be more relaxed than the teacher standing in front of the room.

·      Diffuse a shouting match by letting your teacher have his say first before responding, even if you think you're being treated unjustly. Maybe putting your reply in writing, saying something like, "I'd like to tell you my version of what happened. The facts have been somewhat distorted," or "It embarrasses me in class when..." Or, I can't learn in class when you..." Keep it short, simple, calm, and factual.

· Be aware when dealing with teachers that they are heavily influenced by appearance. Students who dress conservatively are usually given higher marks.

·   Talk to students who get along with this teacher better. They might suggest a plan of action to help.

·     Pick your battles carefully. Avoid squabbling over your grades. Doing this too often will lead to friction.

·         Make an appointment with the school guidance counselor. Part of their job is to offer tips for dealing with teachers.

·      Don't try too hard. No extravagant gifts. No phony compliments. Teachers are perceptive enough to recognize insincerity.

·      As a last resort, tell your parents and have them meet with your teacher. Try to solve the problem yourself first, though.

The truth is most teachers are helpful, compassionate, hard working, and under appreciated. If they aren't all inspiring and charismatic, well, neither are 90% of the people you deal with each day. Your successful efforts at dealing with teachers will gain you valuable experience for the rest of life's difficult situations. Good luck!

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Symptoms of PMS

PMS has become the brunt of a lot of bad jokes—guys even joke that they have PMS! It's not so unusual for people to blame PMS for other problems or illness. So it's important that you know if what you're going through really is PMS.

How to figure out if you have PMS

Keep a journal or a calendar. Write down which symptoms of PMS you get and when. Rate each symptom by how bad it is—mild, moderate, or terrible and nasty! Then write down when you get your period. If you get the symptoms ten to three days before your period, and only during that time, and if they go away when your period starts, chances are that it really is PMS.

If you have the symptoms of PMS at all times of the month, you might just be having a challenging case of puberty. The good news is: Puberty ends! If you are past puberty and have PMS symptoms that hang on long after your period starts, you may have other conditions that need to be treated. For example, dizziness that lasts throughout the month is something that you should see a doctor about. If you feel sad or lose interest in fun activities for a long period of time, there may be something else going on besides PMS.

Use your common sense. Don't ignore any symptom or pain that goes on too long.

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Period Symptoms

What's a problem? What's normal? 

According to textbooks, your period should come every 28 days or so, and the menstrual fluid you lose is on average 6–9 tablespoons. The trouble is, your body can't read textbooks, and it may do something very different.

Some women have:

·         Periods that don't come regularly (in fact, very few have a consistent 28-day cycle)

·         Heavy periods—a very heavy flow of blood each month 

·         Painful periods 

·         An absence of periods (called amenorrhea)

A few women have a combination of menstrual problems. Sometimes these things are normal; sometimes it means something is wrong. So, if your periods aren't regular, or are too heavy or painful—or if your period stops coming—you should talk to a doctor.

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My Period: What’s Normal, What’s Not

My Period Information

It’s that time of the month...or so you thought. So why am I not getting my period? Your friends brag about how their period arrives like clockwork, coming every four weeks. They don’t understand how it feels to not have a clue when your red letter day is due to arrive. If their cycle is what’s called regular or normal, what’s my period called? Not normal? Before you get concerned that something is amiss, keep in mind we don’t believe there's anything irregular about you at all. To better understand your period’s comings and goings, you just need some more information!

It can’t be news that you are different from every other girl in the world. Your periods and menstrual cycles will be different too. Some of your friends feel it coming for days before they get it. Others are hardly aware they have it. Some might bleed for two days one month, and a week the next. In reality, most women don’t get their periods in exactly the same number of days after the last one. For teens, especially, there is a much broader definition of normal. Just as the age you begin to menstruate varies, so does the length of each period. A cycle can be as short as 21 days or as long as 35 days. At some point, as you grow, your light and unpredictable cycle will settle into a recognizable pattern.

My Period Facts

During the first year or two of having periods, "irregular" falls within the "normal" tent! 

Two out of three girls develop a regular pattern within two years after their period begins. So, within the first couple of years, it is not unusual to skip a period. Be aware that if you participate in sports that require long hours of practice, or are active in strenuous workouts like gymnastics or ballet, you may see less bleeding and/or shorter or less frequent periods. If you are dieting so strictly you’re not getting the calories you need, you’re denying your body the fat it needs to menstruate regularly. And if you’re really worried about an upcoming test...or distressed about a fight with a friend...or concerned about the health of a family member...your unique take on any of these stressors can affect the regularity of your period.

My Period: Things to Look Out For

See a doctor if you:

·         Are 16 and haven’t gotten your period yet.

·         Get periods that last longer than seven days for three cycles.

·         Experience a dramatic change from your typical periods.

·         Miss your period for six months straight.

·         Are passing large clots.

·         Are soaking through your pad or tampon hourly for two or more hours.

·         Are bleeding between menstrual periods.

·         Have pelvic pain for longer than a day that seems unrelated to your period.

·         Have severe pain while you’re menstruating unrelieved by OTC medication.

·         Are sexually active and missed a period.

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