• Emotional & Social Changes
• Physical Changes During Adolescence
• Reproduction: Menstruation & Sperm

Permission for Student Participation When teaching sensitive subjects such as reproductive health, it is essential to follow state and district guidelines for notification of parents and to provide opportunities for community members to preview materials. Teaching about reproductive health requires teachers to be sensitive to the needs of adolescents and to feel comfortable with the subject matter. Treat the subject respectfully and model appropriate language for your students. Accurate information about the reproductive organs and their functions plays a key role in encouraging students to make healthful choices about the body processes and the questions that arise during puberty.

Emotional and Social Changes

Adolescence is a time of rapid emotional and social change. Many adolescents have concerns about whether or not their experiences are normal. Each person has his or her own "maturation schedule," which is normal for him or her. Families and communities can provide the information and support adolescents need to make a successful transition from childhood to adulthood.

Many emotional and social changes occur during adolescence. Most adolescents notice:

• Feelings are strong and change quickly.
• Friendships become more important.
• They have stronger feelings of wanting to be liked and to "fit in."
• They sometimes feel lonely and confused.
• They want more independence.
• They become more interested in sex.
• Being interested in a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Concern for the future increases.
• Concerns about appearance increase.

Because adolescence is a critical time of emotional and social development, adolescents have an opportunity to learn crucial interpersonal skills. Alcohol and other drugs, which impair the developmental process, should be avoided by adolescents.

Physical Changes During Adolescence

Adolescence is the time when young people go through the physical, emotional and social changes that end in adulthood. Puberty refers to the physical changes that occur during adolescence. During puberty, secondary sex characteristics appear, and the reproductive structures mature. Puberty begins because male and female hormones are released into the bloodstream. During puberty, both boys and girls will grow quickly, perspire more, have body odor and develop oily skin and some pimples.

Male Changes
Between the ages of 10 and 16, boys will notice:

• broader shoulders
• muscle growth
• hair under the arms, on arms, legs, chest, fact and in the pubic area
• growth of the penis and testicles
• a deeper voice
• breast tenderness

Female Changes
Between the ages of 9 and 16, girls will notice:

• broader hips
• a narrower waist
• hair under the arms, on legs and in the pubic area
• growth of the vulva
• breast growth
• vaginal discharge
• menstruation

What's Normal?
Many adolescents have concerns about whether their experiences are normal. Girls may worry that one breast is larger than the other. Boys may worry that their penises are too small. Such concerns are common and can be easily addressed by accessing valid sources of information, such as knowledgeable adults, books, pamphlets, health care providers and Websites.

Information about Adolescence
Volunteer health agencies such as SIECUS are trusted sources for information for information about sexuality and physical changes during puberty. Libraries contain textbooks and other print resources that provide accurate information. Health care providers are also valid sources for information about sexuality.

The media (TV, movies, videos, magazines and radio) provide many programs that contain sexual content. The goal of media is to entertain and not to educate. Therefore, many of these sources may be controversial and inaccurate. Caution should be used in accessing these sources of information.

Friends may also provide information about sexual issues. Unfortunately, much of this information may not be accurate, because many myths are passed from one person to another.

Reproduction: Menstruation and Sperm Production

Menstruation
During puberty, hormonal changes cause menstrual cycles to begin. Most females begin to menstruate between the ages of 9 and 16. As a girl starts having menstrual cycles, the length of the cycle may vary from month to month as her body adjusts to changing hormones. It may take several years to develop a regular cycle.

Menstruation begins when the eggs in a female's ovaries begin to mature. As an egg matures, the female's body begins building the lining of the uterus. Once the egg is mature, it leaves the ovary and enters the fallopian tube. This process is called ovulation.

When an egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates after a few days. Hormone levels drop and cause the lining of the uterus to pass from the body. This process, which usually takes between three and seven days, is called menstruation. During this time, a female will wear a sanitary pad inside her underpants or a tampon inserted into her vagina. The pad or tampon absorbs the menstrual fluid. The female changes the pad or tampon every few hours as it fills with fluid. The amount of fluid that leaves the body can vary from a tablespoon to about a cup. Each woman has her own pattern, which may change depending on her emotional and physical health. Some cramping may occur during menstruation as the uterus contracts to expel the lining. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and adequate sleep help to alleviate cramping. Mild analgesics are taken by many females to relieve the discomfort of cramps during the first few days of menstruation.

When menstruation is complete, the female's body begins rebuilding the lining of the uterus. At the same time, another egg matures. Once it is mature, it leaves the ovary and enters the fallopian tube. If the egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates, and the cycle continues.

The length of the menstrual cycle may vary considerably, particularly among adolescents. Most menstrual cycles are between 21 and 40 days in length, with the average being 28 days.

Some girls notice emotional and physical changes during their menstrual cycles. These changes are referred to as PMS-premenstrual syndrome. Most women experience some of these changes but continue their normal activities. Any severe discomfort could be a signal that something is wrong. A girl should see a doctor if she experiences pain or unusual bleeding.

Sperm Production
Sperm are produced in two glands called testicles. Once the sperm are produced, they travel to the epididymis where they mature. Once sperm cells are mature, they travel into the body through a tube called the vas deferens. The mature sperm are held in the upper portion of the vas deferens until they are ejaculated. An ejaculation occurs as the muscles around the prostate gland and the penis contract. These contractions push the sperm into the urethra where they mix with seminal fluid. Seminal fluid is produced by the seminal vesicles and prostate gland. This fluid mixes with the sperm and is called semen. Semen leaves the body through the urethra in several spurts of fluid.

One sign that a boy has begun puberty is the ejaculation of semen. Sometimes an erection occurs as a boy sleeps and dreams. Nocturnal emissions, sometimes called wet dreams, happen as a normal process to expel built-up semen and may also occur from sexually exciting dreams.