Category: Puberty Talk

With sex and its subsequent concepts out of the way, there is still a topic of importance to be addressed when it comes to puberty: hygiene. In people who menstruate, periods are a messy and unpredictable time, but a compromise should never be made in maintaining cleanliness. Since—  and especially because — ill-hygiene can lead to ill-health, it is necessary to discuss vaginal hygiene.

Vaginitis is a broad term used to describe the numerous illnesses that can cause infection or inflammation of the vagina. Common symptoms include a change in vaginal discharge, itching in and around the vagina, and burning sensations during urination. It is crucial that these discussions are not made taboo, so that your children may confide in you if they may  face such symptoms. Some symptoms may overlap with those of other illnesses or could present as a combination of one disorder and another. It is best not to try and diagnose these illnesses by yourself and consult a medical professional if they arise.

Vaginal discharge is a normal and observed occurrence. Each individual’s discharge differs, and it can change consistency and colour depending on the day of the menstrual cycle. Discharge changes around ovulation and before the period starts — during ovulation it may present as stickier than usual, and during the end of the cycle as creamier than usual. These changes are absolutely normal, as is the absence of vaginal discharge. Sometimes, discharge may change or differ due to tight clothes or a particular food eaten. Though it may seem trivial to discuss, it is a new and scary concept for your child. For their own comfort, even these small things should be discussed. After all, vaginal discharge begins before periods do.

There are a few types of vaginal discharge that can indicate different disorders. One that is fairly common is an odourless, thick, white discharge, described to have the consistency of “cottage cheese,” which is an indication of a yeast infection. There is a naturally present fungus in the vagina which may have been upset due to an imbalance in the environment of the vagina, causing overgrowth and subsequent infection. This is accompanied by possible burning and itching sensations. Yeast infections can occur for many reasons, such as a disturbance in pH levels (possibly a result of trying new soaps or body products) or a hormonal imbalance. Yeast infections are treatable with medicine.

Another common abnormal discharge is one that is foul-smelling (referred to as a “fishy” odour) and thin, and milky in consistency. It is an indication of bacterial vaginosis, a condition where an upsetting of pH levels in the environment of the vagina causes the overgrowth of naturally present bacteria. There can be many factors interfering with the pH levels, so do be mindful of changes in soaps, and avoid douching the vagina.

The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, and discharge is a method by which the vagina rids itself of harmful bacteria. Special soaps need not be used to clean the vagina nor douching, unless medically prescribed. Ensure that your child is informed of this, and do not feel insecure of any changes that they may observe in their bodies.

Another situation when vaginal hygiene needs to be maintained is before, during, and after sexual intercourse. This is, understandably, difficult to bring up, albeit necessary. Your child should know that it is important to practice safe sex, and know the contraceptives that they can use. In case they feel discomfort or pain during or after sexual intercourse, it is possible that they have an illness that needs to be examined. Do not hesitate to inform them of such instances, for leaving this in the dark may only make it worse. It lies on your shoulders to create an environment where such discussions can be held without shame.

Until next time,

Yuvana from the REDefine Team

Featured Artwork by Prathna Anand

References:

Cleveland Clinic. “Vaginitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9131-vaginitis. Accessed 11 July 2021.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Bacterial Vaginosis – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 1998–2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER), 1 May 2019, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279.

Shkodzik, Kate, MD. “All Types of Vaginal Discharge: What Do They Really Indicate?” Flo, 2021 Flo Health, 24 May 2021, flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/vaginal-discharge/all-types-of-vaginal-discharge-what-do-they-really-indicate.

Wahlgren, Kara, and Carolyn Twersky. “Everything You Need to Know About Vaginal Discharge.” Seventeen, 2021 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc., 3 Dec. 2018, http://www.seventeen.com/health/sex-health/a46186/there-are-9-types-of-vaginal-discharge-heres-what-they-mean.

Possibly the most difficult conversation to have with your child, dubbed The Talk, is about sex. We understand; the taboos associated with this makes it an uncomfortable and easily avoidable conversation, however, something as natural as sex should not be prohibited to discuss. This conversation is a step in dismantling the taboo. Due to the daunting nature of the topic, we encourage creating an environment where it is comfortable to speak about before getting right to it. As parents, you will need to ensure that the minimal foundation is laid — this includes things like referring to genitalia with their names rather than a less-shameful version of them (such as penis or vagina instead of “private parts”), discussing how to maintain proper hygiene of genitalia, and above all, being open to questions. It is best that your child comes to you with these questions rather than looking for the answers themselves — though a certain amount of independence is encouraged — to prevent any sort of miseducation they may pick up from other sources. As an adult, you, too, need to be comfortable with talking about this topic with no shame. It is necessary that we break this cycle that promotes miseducation then repercussions, and having this Talk is a step in doing so.

The first, most associated aspect with sex: the physical process. Here is the associated explanation: an erect penis penetrates a vagina, and is stimulated by movement to release semen. The vagina lubricates its walls for ease of movement, and if released into the vagina, semen travels to the uterus where fertilisation occurs. This act is referred to as coitus, also referred to as intercourse, and can lead to pregnancy — it is notable to mention here that this is discussing only one type of sexual experience. Regardless of this, it is important to practice safe sex to prevent any unplanned pregnancies, as well as to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. There are multiple methods to facilitate safe sex, and we recommend that you explain each method that you are aware of to your child.

The act of intercourse does not have to be between a man and a woman, nor does it need to be for reproductive purposes. Sex can be for pleasure, and one way to satisfy the urge for pleasure is masturbation. Depending on the age of your child, masturbation can be a conversation for another time. It is broadly noticed that around three years after hitting puberty, children begin to feel the urge to masturbate. This is an activity for pleasure, and something only your child can do for themselves. Your child may be confused and scared due to the changes in what they are feeling, so it is important to address that they may feel the need to masturbate, and they should be able to, depending on their choices and comfort with themselves. Their pleasure is not, once again, a taboo. Even within intercourse, if it is pleasure they are seeking, reinforce that there is no shame in that.

Here is where we begin to talk about the emotional aspect of sex. Sex is not limited to physical attraction. While it does play a role, emotions do, too: the vulnerability, comfort, and trust that comes with sex is all a part of it. Before your child can feel comfortable with someone else, they must feel comfortable with themselves, with their body. The act of being vulnerable with someone, of trusting someone with their body is an act only your child will know when they are ready for. Feeling ready is also something only your child will know when they feel it, and feeling ready looks different for everyone. Do emphasise that there is no rush to having sex, and no shame in wanting to have sex. Additionally, before they can have sex themselves, they must also be comfortable with the idea of it, and be comfortable discussing it with their partner. Another requirement before sex is consent: anything without consent is no longer sex, nor intercourse. It is violence.

This conversation will not be easy to have, and you must create a comfortable atmosphere for it, where your child is okay with asking questions. You must be comfortable talking about the topic itself before you can talk to your child about it. It cannot be rushed through, and you can do it over multiple conversations, which may be ideal considering the weight of this matter.

The prejudices within sex itself, including but not limited to those based on sex, gender, or sexuality are all aspects of sex your child should be sensitive towards. It must be emphasised that what they might see as sex in any form of media (especially pornography) does not imitate what sex actually is — here is where the atmosphere is important. Your child should feel comfortable discussing any questions or concerns they may have, to prevent miseducation through media. We wish you best of luck on this conversation, and though it may take a few attempts, it will be beneficial for your child.

Until next week,

Samara from the REDefine Team.

Written with guidance from Dr. Shilpa Gupta, Parenting and Emotional Well-being Coach.

Featured artwork by Prathna Anand

Approaching topics of sex are some of the most harrowing conversations for children, and we’re sure they’re equally harrowing for our parents. Not only lacking in our society, sex education and discussions around sex are taboo in themselves. So, how do you address this necessary but challenging topic?

Well, there’s no easy way to say this, but you will need to be as direct as possible.  The embarrassment and the stuttering is worth it, we promise. There have likely been times where your child has approached you with questions on what a word means, or what their friend meant when they said this or what a TV show character meant when they said that. It’s ideal to start with the basics of sexual education: our bodies.

Genitalia refers to our external reproductive organs. In females what is broadly referred to as the vagina, and in males the penis and testicles. By the time you’re having this conversation, it’s possible that your child has seen the clinical diagrams in their science textbooks and is probably no less confused on the topic.

The term vagina specifically refers to the muscular canal-like structure through which the menstrual flow is discharged, though it has come to be known as a representative for the entire female genitalia. From above the vagina, the urethral opening emerges, which facilitates the excretion of urine. And above that, the clitoris — a bud rich in nerve endings, whose only known function is pleasure.

The male genitalia consists of the penis and the testicles. The penis is a long, tube-like structure which has an opening at its head that conducts semen during ejaculation and is a passage for the discharge of urine. The testicles are two hanging, sac-like structures connected to the penis, where semen is produced and stored.  A helpful image here.

In addition, there are people who are intersex, whose genitalia may present as a combination of male and female characteristics. These variations are not out of the ordinary and do not warrant being treated as such. Do emphasise that all our bodies are different, and that there is no standard when it comes to the appearance of the genitalia.

Of course, this is the most basic of information and provides a small but crucial view of what sex involves. Your child will hopefully have some clarity beyond their science textbooks now, and hopefully a higher level of comfort — if not mortification — in discussing such topics with you. Remember to support them through their education of sex, and stay tuned for the upcoming articles around it!

Until next week,

Yuvana from REDefine.

Diagram of female genitalia by Tara Palchaudhuri of REDefine.

Image cited: “Male Reproductive System” by
Phil Schatz. License: CC BY 4.0

As the body grows, we must make adjustments in wardrobe to accommodate this change — notably, new clothes, new underwear, and bras. It may feel daunting to address this change at first. Shopping for bras is a new and slightly uncomfortable experience, but a necessary one. One can start with trainer bras, which are like tight, cropped, vests, before moving on to the more complex ones. The bras your child wears will change depending on their growth. Once trainer bras stop providing the right support, your child should feel comfortable moving on to hooked bras — these also come in different types, there are wired and non-wired, padded and non-padded, so on and so forth. It is usually trial and error that helps your child find which style they’re most comfortable in. In addition, there are different bras for different occasions. A hooked bra will not be suitable for sports — once again, with trial and error, your child should find a sports bra that provides the right fit and support for them to exercise comfortably.

The next: menstrual products. The most common are pads; they are comfortable, convenient, and easy to use. However, they generate a considerable amount of waste. Pads come in different sizes, and depending on your child’s flow, you can choose the right one. Remember to remind your child that everyone’s flow is different, thus everyone’s needs will be different. It is nothing to be ashamed or feel insecure about.

Other products include tampons and menstrual cups. A tampon also works on an absorption basis, like pads — it is inserted into the vagina and needs to be changed every four to six hours. It is small, around the size of your pinky finger, and also straightforward to use. A menstrual cup is, by far, the most environmentally friendly option. However, your child might find it difficult to use — it is a wide cup that needs to be inserted into the vagina, where it holds the expelled blood, until it is changed and emptied. The menstrual cup lasts longer, around eight hours between every change, and is easily cleaned with water. Though pads may be the most common products, some may feel more comfortable using different apparatus. It is up to your child to see what is fit for them.

Another physical aspect of puberty is body hair. Though it is completely natural, some may feel uncomfortable with the growth of hair on certain parts of their body. The most common hair removal techniques are waxing, shaving, or using hair removal cream. This is, like earlier, trial and error until your child finds what method best works for them. Be sure to explore all these options with your child and provide all your support when they feel conscious or afraid. It is much easier to tackle the insecurity that comes with changing bodies when there is someone to guide you through it. With the right apparatus, this can be an easy bridge to cross in the journey through puberty.

Until next week,

Samara from the REDefine Team

Featured artwork by Sanvee Jatia