American Medical Association Girl's Guide to Becoming a Teen: Getting Used to Life in Your Changing Body

By American Medical Association

A girl’s straightforward, accessible, and nonjudgmental guide to everything they need to know about adolescence and growing up.

Becoming a teen is an important milestone in every girl’s life. It’s especially important at this time to get answers and advice from a trusted source. The American Medical Association Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Teen is filled with invaluable advice to get you ready for the changes you will experience during puberty. Learn about these important topics and more:

·       Puberty and what kinds of physical and emotional changes you can expect—from your developing body to your feelings about boys

·       The importance of eating the right foods and taking care of your body

·       Your reproductive system inside and out

·       Starting your period—what it means and how to handle it

·       Thinking about relationships and dealing with new feelings

The American Medical Association Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Teen will help you understand the health issues that are of most concern to teenage girls, and will teach you how to be safe, happy, and healthy through these years.

“Girls covers the physical and emotional changes that puberty brings, along with solid tips about grooming, diet, exercise, and other health issues, such as eating disorders. . . . Girls will find plenty of useful information.” —Booklist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781118429891

Book preview

CONTENTS

Foreword

Chapter One: Welcome to Puberty

What is puberty?

How long does puberty last?

How should I feel about puberty?

Why do my feelings change so much during puberty?

Why do I look at my body differently?

Chapter Two: Eating, Exercise, and a Healthy Weight

Why do I need to pay attention to what I eat?

How do I make sure I’m a healthy eater?

How do I make healthy decisions in the school cafeteria?

Is it okay for teenagers to be vegetarians?

Why is exercise so important?

How much do I need to exercise?

Will my weight change during puberty?

Why do so many girls worry about their weight?

What should I do if I think I need to lose weight?

What if I think I’m too thin?

What are eating disorders?

What if I notice that a friend has a problem with eating?

Chapter Three: Your Height

When will I experience my growth spurt?

What if I feel too tall or too short?

When will I stop growing?

How tall will I be?

Why does my doctor tell me that I need calcium?

Why does my doctor test me for scoliosis? What is scoliosis?

Chapter Four: Your Skin, Teeth, and Hair

What causes pimples?

What, exactly, are blackheads and whiteheads?

Why do some girls get more pimples than others?

What makes pimples worse?

How can I clear up my pimples?

What else do I need to do to take care of my skin?

What if I notice other changes in my skin?

What are stretch marks?

Why do I have body odor all of a sudden? What can I do about it?

Lately, my feet sometimes smell bad. What can I do?

Are body piercings and tattoos safe?

Why do I have to brush and floss my teeth every day?

Is there anything I can do to make my teeth whiter?

Why do I suddenly care so much about my hair?

Is it okay to color my hair? How can I do it?

Why is hair growing in new places on my body?

When will I start getting pubic hair?

Should I remove my body hair and, if so, how can I do it?

Chapter Five: Your Reproductive System-Inside and Out

What are breasts made of?

What determines the size of my breasts?

How long will it take for my breasts to grow?

What if I’m not happy with how my breasts look?

My breasts are not the same size. Is that normal?

Why am I getting white lines on my breasts?

What will happen to my nipples during puberty?

What if I have some hairs around my nipples?

How do I make sure my breasts are healthy?

When will I be ready to wear a bra?

How do I talk to my parents about bras?

How do I know what size bra to get?

What if I’m teased about my breasts?

What are the reproductive organs?

What am I looking at?

What are my internal reproductive organs?

I’ve noticed a white, sticky substance in my underpants. What is it?

I’ve noticed that when I touch myself down there it feels good. Is this okay?

I worry that my vaginal area smells bad. Should I use one of the feminine hygiene sprays or douches that I see in the drugstore?

Chapter Six: Your Period

What is the menstrual cycle?

How long does a cycle last?

How might I feel about getting my period?

When will I get my first period?

How long will my period last?

How much blood should I expect?

Should I use pads or tampons?

What do I do when I get my period for the first time?

How often do I need to change my tampon or pad?

I keep hearing about PMS. What is it?

I have really bad cramps when I get my period. What can I do?

Chapter Seven: Your Feelings

What is causing these changes in my mood?

Will I have trouble controlling my moods?

What can I do when I’m not feeling very good about myself?

All of a sudden my relationship with my parents has changed. What’s happening?

How do I handle feeling angry?

What can I do about my shyness?

I’m feeling so stressed out! What can I do?

I’ve been feeling down lately. Should I be worried?

My grandmother recently died and I’m confused about what I’m feeling.

My parents recently told me that they’re separating. What can I do?

Why should I tell other people about my feelings?

Chapter Eight: Relationships

What makes a good friend?

How can I find a good friend?

How can I keep a good friend?

What should I do if I have a fight with a friend?

What should I do if I notice that a friend is growing apart from me?

What should I do if I have a friend who acts a lot older or younger than I do?

What is bullying?

What should I do if I am or a friend is being bullied?

Could I be a bully?

I keep hearing about peer pressure. What is it?

Some of my friends have started shoplifting. They keep asking me to do it with them but I don’t want to. What should I do?

How should I handle peer pressure to try alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs?

What if I’m curious about drinking, smoking, or trying drugs?

Why do cliques suddenly seem so important?

Why does it seem so important to be popular?

Chapter Nine: What About Sex?

Why do I sometimes feel uncomfortable around boys now?

How will I know when I have a crush on someone?

What should I do if I have a crush on a boy?

What if I have a crush on another girl?

What if someone has a crush on me but I don’t share the same feelings?

When are teenagers ready to date?

How can I talk to my parents about dating?

How will I know when I’m ready to kiss someone?

Why is it better to wait until I’m older to think about being sexual with someone?

What is sex, anyway?

What are contraceptives?

What are STDs and how do people get them?

This relationship stuff is so confusing! I have so many more questions, how do I find the right person to talk to?

Find Out More!

Glossary

Index

Copyright © 2006 by The American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

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Illustrations by Brie Spangler

The recommendations and information in this book are appropriate in most cases and current as of the date of publication. For more specific information about a medical condition, the AMA suggests that you consult a physician.

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