Adolescent menstrual problems

Best Adolescent Gynecology Doctors In Chembur

Adolescence is the period of transition among childhood & adulthood. Children who are just entering adolescence are going to complete more development. This is advice for adolescents and parents to negotiate these changes. Adolescence is a beautiful period of life and generally a healthy one which needs special care.

Adolescence - A Vulnerable Period

The overall growth and development and also the physical, reproductive and psychological changes expose the adolescents to many health risks. Adolescence is the period

of rapid physical growth, sexual and psychological changes.

Why do adolescent girls need special care?

• Lack of knowledge about personal & menstrual hygiene

• Habits and behaviour picked up during adolescence (risk taking behaviour, substance abuse, eating habits and conflict resolution) have lifelong impact.

• Adolescence is the last chance to correct the growth lag and malnutrition.

• Adolescent sexuality leads to adolescent pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted diseases.

Anxieties and problems regarding breast

• Minor breast asymmetry is common in sexually mature adolescent females and is normal.

• Some adolescents are flat chested which is normal and does not have any adverse impact on milk production and child feeding in future.

• Breast sizes can differ – small or big – both having some psychological effect on the mind

• Benign breast masses are common in adolescent females which may sometimes need surgical removal.

• Physiological breast swelling and pain, radiating to axilla and arm may occur on a cyclic basis, most commonly during premenstrual phase. This is normal and is due to hormonal stimulation. Firm support, fomentation, pain killers, hormonal therapy, diuretics and primrose oil is often needed to alleviate the discomfort.

The Menstrual Cycle

The Menstrual Cycle is a series of changes a girl’s body goes through to prepare for a pregnancy About once a month, the uterus grows a new lining

(Endometrium) to get ready for a fertilized egg When there is no fertilized egg to start a pregnancy the uterus sheds its lining. This is the monthly menstrual bleeding.

• Some varieties of menstrual dysfunctions occur in about half of the adolescent females.

• Initiation of menstruation is called menarche. The age of the normal menarche may vary from 12 to 16 years.

• A minimal body fat of 17% of body weight is necessary for the onset of menarche. So it may start late in thin built adolescents which does not warrant any therapeutic intervention.

• The length of menstrual cycle may vary from 21 to 41days. Initial menstrual cycles are anovulatory and are relatively longer. These cycles become regular after 2 to 2.5 years so initial irregular menstrual cycles does not need therapeutic intervention.

Amenorrhoea or absence of menstruation

• Absence of menses till the age of 16 years or more than one year later than her mother or older sibling’s menarche age.

• Very obese or very slender adolescent may have late onset of menarche.

• Amenorrhea may be Primary or Secondary

Primary Amenorrhoea: associated with abnormal or non development of internal

genital organs . It is absence of menstruation in someone till the age of 15 with well developed secondary sexual characters.

Secondary Amenorrhoea: is due to various chronic (long standing) illnesses such as malnutrition, diabetes, diseases of ovaries, drugs especially hormonal preparations. It is absence of periods for more than 3 months in a person who was having normal cycles before.

Painful menstrual cramps

These are experienced by nearly 2/3rd of adolescents

During second half of the menstrual cycle many adolescents experience

– breast fullness or breast pain,

– bloating,

– fatigue,

– headache increased appetite especially for sweets and salty

foods,

– irritability, mood swings, depression,

– inability to concentrate,

– tearfulness, violent tendencies etc.

• Most of the times it requires simple pain killers, diuretics and reassurance from an expert.

Pimples / Acne

Almost all adolescent girls get acne. It happens due to hormonal imbalance and

an oily substance called sebum clogs pores. Pimples usually pop up on the face, neck,

back, chest, and shoulders. Acne isn't a serious health risk, though

severe acne can cause permanent scars. Acne can also damage self-esteem.

DO'S

• Wash your face regularly to remove excess oil.

• Use a gel cleanser.

• Keep your hands away from your face.

DON'T

• Scrub your Skin.

• Expose yourself to too much sun.

• Pick at your skin and burst pimples

Adolescent pimples fade away gradually.

Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge means the fluid or mucus stuff that comes out of vagina. You might see it or feel it on underpants Caused by changing level of

hormones. Discharge might be thin and slightly sticky to thick and gooey. They can be clear to white or off-white in colour. The amount of discharge can

also vary depending upon a girl's.

Vaginal infections

Yeast infections usually happen in warm, moist parts of the body. Vaginal yeast infections are common among growing girls. Can cause pain, itching, redness, a

thick white vaginal discharge, pain during urination (peeing), and sometimes whitish patches on the skin of the vaginal area. Doctor can prescribe proper treatment that can clear up the symptoms in a couple of days and cure the infection within a week.

Vaginal Health

Clothing and laundry-

1. Wear cotton underwear and loose fitting pants or skirts.

2. Do not wear tights.

3. Ensure that underwear and any other clothing that comes into contact with the vulva is rinsed well.

4. Do not use fabric softener on undergarments.

Vaginal Health

1. DO NOT OVERWASH THE AREA. Treat skin in the genital area very gently.

2. Do not use bubble bath, feminine hygiene products or perfumed soaps or creams.

3. Do not use douches (i.e. internal washes).

4. Urinate (pee) before the bladder is full, avoid 'hanging on' and rinse the vulva with water after urinating.

5. Use soft white unscented toilet paper.

6. Use 100% cotton menstrual pads and tampons - Avoid panty liners.

Today’s youth is exposed to many pressures. Although they have access to lot of information, misconceptions still prevail. Health issues need to be discussed & their concern addressed in non-judgmental manner. Good relationship with parents, other family

members, teachers & easy access to friendly health facilities will help girls enjoy a positive health leading to healthy adulthood.