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Home   : Body   : Links to more information on girls' bodies

Links to more information on girls' bodies

Publications and websites:

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Publications and websites

Understanding your body

  1. Body Smartz!  — Confused about puberty? Your questions can likely be answered on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s BAM! Body and Mind website. Don’t forget to check out what acne looks like under a microscope and test your “smartz” about puberty with a fun quiz.
  2. It’s a Noisy Planet  — Between fireworks, rock concerts, and lawnmowers, there are a lot of reasons you need to protect your hearing. The games and activities on this site will show you how to keep your ears healthy.
  3. Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy (Copyright © AAFP)  — This guide for teens provides info on how to take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health.
  4. What’s Happening to My Body? (Copyright © AAP)  — A lot of changes happen between the ages of 8 and 13 that might leave you asking the question, “What’s happening to my body?” This fact sheet explains what you can expect and what these changes mean.

Getting your period

  1. Getting Your Period at School  — This is a helpful article from kidshealth.org.
  2. Alternative and Environmentally Friendly Menstrual Products (Copyright © CYWH)  — This website has information about products to use during your period that save you money and help the environment. Some of the products it discusses are reusable cotton pads and the menstrual cup.
  3. Puberty (Copyright ©CYWH)  — This fact sheet describes important details about puberty, which is the stage when your body matures and changes to become capable of reproduction.
  4. A Guide to Using Your First Tampon (Copyright © CYWH)  — Using a tampon for the first time might seem difficult. The Center for Young Women’s Health solves the mystery by providing step-by-step instructions and diagrams.
  5. Female Reproductive System (Copyright © Nemours Foundation)  — Ever wonder where your period comes from and other facts about your female reproductive system? Don’t miss this interesting article and illustrations.
  6. Irregular Periods (Copyright © Nemours Foundation)  — An irregular period is sometimes normal. Read this article to learn more about what can make your period irregular and when it might be a sign of a problem.
  7. Your First Period (Copyright © ACOG)  — Why do women menstruate? When will my period start? This brochure answers your questions about getting your period.
  8. My Little Red Book (Copyright © Rachel Kauder Nalebuff)  — Getting your first period can be exciting or scary! This Web page has stories from real girls about their first periods.
  9. My Monthly Period and Symptom Tracker (Copyright © CYWH)  — You can print out this chart, record your symptoms, and show your doctor.

Your reproductive health

  1. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (Copyright © CYWH)  — You may have heard about the HPV vaccine, but do you know what HPV is? It stands for human papillomavirus, and this website tells you all about it.
  2. Your First Gynecologic Visit (Copyright © ACOG)  — This brochure explains what happens at a typical visit to the gynecologist. It includes information about what you will be asked to do, what exams will be performed, what tools will be used, and more.

Getting enough sleep

  1. Awake at the Wheel (PDF, 196 KB)  — Sleep is more important than you may know. Learn the top five reasons teens need to get enough sleep, and find out what you can do to avoid drowsy driving.

Looking and feeling your best

  1. Hair Removal  — This is a helpful article from kidshealth.org on different ways to remove hair safely.
  2. The Environmental Protection Agency’s SunWise Kids Program  — Check out this cool program on sun protection from the EPA. Think you know everything there is to know about the UV index and the ozone layer? Take the EPA’s challenge and find out!
  3. Skin and Grooming (Copyright © Sutter Health Network)  — Learn how to keep your body clean and healthy. This website answers all your questions about tanning, hair removal, acne, strange smells, and more!
  4. How to Have a Good Hair Day: Taking Care of Your Hair (Copyright © iemily.com)  — Think you are a hair-care buff? Not so fast! Some things we do to our hair to make it beautiful can actually harm our lovely locks.
  5. Your Skin Explained  — Take a look at this website to learn about your skin! It provides quick facts on the inner and outer layers of skin, as well as the life of the skin cell.

Fighting germs

  1. MRSA  — This is a helpful article from kidshealth.org on a type of skin infection.
  2. Fight Bac! Safe Food Handling  — Right now, there may be an invisible enemy ready to strike. He’s called BAC (bacteria), and he can make you and those you care about sick. Learn how to defend yourself!
  3. The Buzz on Scuzz  — When, where, and how do we prevent the spread of germs? The key is hand-washing. Also, learn how to prevent the spread of germs and fungus in the locker room at school (eeewwww!).
  4. Adolescent and Adult Vaccine Quiz  — Teens need certain vaccines to stay healthy and disease-free. Take this quiz to find out which vaccines you may need.
  5. Scrubclub.org  — Meet the Scrub Club as they battle Bac and his band of evil villains, including Influenza Enzo and Sal Monella. Learn how to wash your hands correctly, play games, watch Scrub Club episodes, and even download your official Scrub Club membership card!

Your sexuality

  1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website offers detailed information on different types of STDs, preventing STDs, and more.
  2. Teen Talk, Vol. 1: Many Teens Are Saying “No.” (PDF, 201 KB) — This publication provides a checklist of questions to ask yourself about whether or not you are ready to have sex. It also provides information on relationships, the benefits of abstinence, and how to deal with the pressures that may surround you.
  3. Talking to Your Partner About STDs (Copyright © Nemours Foundation)  — If you and your partner have decided to have sex, you should talk about sexually transmitted diseases first. It might sound awkward, but this fact sheet will help you through it with advice on how to prepare and what to say.
  4. 5 Myths About STDs (Copyright © Nemours Foundation)  — Think you can tell by looking if someone has an STD? Think again. This fact sheet dispels common myths about STDs.
  5. Sexual Attraction and Orientation (Copyright © Nemours Foundation)  — Having sexual feelings is a normal part of growing up. People can be attracted to the opposite sex, the same sex, or both. This Web page talks all about sexual orientation.
  6. How to Use a Condom (Copyright © ASHA)  — Condoms only work if you use them the right way! Read up on the dos and don’ts of condoms on this Web page.
  7. Sex: Making the Right Decision (Copyright © AAFP)  — Don’t assume that “everybody’s doing it.” You don’t have to start having sex until you’re ready. This website gives you the straight information about abstinence, the risks of sex, and how to know if you’re ready.

Getting help with your health

  1. Question to Ask Your Doctor (Copyright © Nemours Foundation)  — Your doctor is a great person to talk to if you have questions about your body. This site has a list of questions you can ask to ensure your privacy and to make sure you have all the facts.
  2. Talking to Your Doctor (Copyright © Nemours Foundation)  — Having a positive relationship with your doctor is very important. Learn ways to talk with your doctor.
  3. HealthCare.gov  — This site provides important information about the Affordable Care Act and how to get health insurance.
  4. Health Insurance: Cracking the Code (Copyright © Nemours Foundation)  — Understanding health insurance can be difficult. Here’s a list of terms that might come up.
  5. Choosing a Primary Health Care Provider (PCP) (Copyright © CYWH)  — This publication offers tips on how to find a primary health care provider that is right for you.
  6. Find a Family Planning Clinic  — Family planning clinics provide confidential STD testing, birth control, and other services, sometimes for free. You can find a clinic close to you by entering your ZIP code into this site.

Organizations

 

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Content last reviewed April 15, 2014
Page last updated August 24, 2018

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