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junior
high
questions
These are typical questions that many other
students your age ask. It is normal to have
these questions, and it is important that
you get information that contains correct
facts. We encourage you to think about your
values, for the "right" answer is one that
also fits with your beliefs. Talking to a
parent or a trusted adult can often be very
helpful.
Please click on any of the following
question topics to see related questions:
Questions About Puberty
1. How big can a penis
get?
Men's penis's come in all shapes and sizes. The size of an adult male penis varies from one to the next. On average, a penis is 7-10cm when flaccid (soft) and 13-16cm in
length when erect.
2. What happens
when a boy has big breasts?
Almost half of all boys
experience a temporary swelling of the
breasts during puberty because of hormones.
This swelling goes away over time. If a boy is concerned about this, it is a
good idea for him to talk to his doctor.
3. What is the importance of pubic hair?
Hair, no matter where it is on the body,
helps to protect our bodies and regulate our
body temperature.
4. Why is semen
sticky?
Semen is sticky because one of
it's ingredients is sugar or fructose. Sugar
is one of the ingredients in semen that
provides energy for the sperm.
5. If a girl is 13
and flat as a board. When will she develop?
Breast development is a common
concern for girls your age. There is no set
time for when a girl's breasts will start to
grow and develop. Breasts start to increase
in size somewhere between the ages of 9 and
15.Do your best to be patient
with your body and not compare yourself with
others. Everyone goes through puberty at
exactly the right time for their body.
6. Is it okay to
have one breast larger than the other?
Some girls have one breast that
is a bit larger than the other because it is
growing a little bit quicker. It usually
isn't very noticeable. Often a girl's
breasts will even out by the time puberty is
over. Sometimes they don't. Either way is
normal.
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Questions About Menstruation
1. What can't you do
when you have your period?
When you are menstruating, you can do
anything you want to do. You can play
sports, dance, exercise and bathe like
usual. If tampons are used, you can even
swim. Menstruation is a normal and healthy
part of life. You can and should carry on
with your normal activities. However, some
girls and women do experience cramping and
heavy bleeding that can make them feel very
uncomfortable. If the symptoms you
experience prevent you from doing exercise
and joining in with your friends you may
want to discuss this with a parent or
trusted adult. Visiting your family doctor
may put your mind at rest.
1. What is PMS?
A week or so before her period starts, the body begins producing lots of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can cause feelings that together are called premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. Some girls have painful cramps in their pelvic area, headaches, mood swings, or cravings for certain foods right before their periods begin. During this time the body may retain water, which can make a girl feel puffy and bloated. Rings and shoes may feel tight at this time. Just as fingers and feet swell, so can breasts. All that fluid forces the breast tissues to expand, which stretches the nerves and makes breasts feel achy or tender.
2. Are tampons
safe?
Tampons are safe if used correctly. Using tampons the right way can prevent a rare but serious infection called Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Some symptoms of TSS are: headache; sore throat; sudden fever; vomiting; diarrhea; achy muscles; and a sunburn-looking red rash. To prevent TSS, tampons should be changed every 3 to 4 hours, no matter how light the bleeding is. Because tampons should never be left in for longer than 8 hours, some women choose to wear a pad at night. Finally, avoid using super absorbent tampons.
3. Can tampons get
stuck?
It is extremely unlikely for a tampon to get stuck in the vagina. Tampons are attached to a string a few inches in length that hangs through the vaginal opening. The tampon is removed by pulling gently on the string. If a tampon did get stuck, it is important to see a doctor immediately, as you would be at risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome, a rare but serious infection.
4. Can you lose
your virginity by using a tampon?
Virginity means different things to different people and different cultures. Most people would agree that a virgin is defined as a person who has never had sexual intercourse. Therefore, you cannot lose your virginity by using a tampon but keep in mind that virginity relates to personal values and opinions and may vary from individual to individual; so I cannot give you a definite answer. It's best for you to get all the information and discuss this with a trusted adult or parent.
5. What is yeast or a yeast infection?
Yeast is a fungus that is normally found in the vagina. Yeast can overgrow and cause a yeast infection. This can happen when a person uses antibiotics, birth control pills, perfumed products (e.g. bubble baths, soaps, douches and powders), or vaginal contraceptives, foams, jellies, or creams. When a woman has a yeast infection, she can pass it on to her partner. For women, symptoms include a clumpy white discharge from the vagina, and itching and redness around the vagina. For men, symptoms include genital itching, and a mild rash on the penis. It is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis. Yeast infections are easily treated with medication.
6. Is something wrong if it’s been 4 months
since my last period?
Although the average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, it is not uncommon for teenage girls to have irregular periods. Some teenage girls have periods spaced several months apart whereas others have periods spaced 2 or 3 weeks apart. If there is a chance you could be pregnant, you should see your doctor. Or if pregnancy is not a possibility, but it has been a while since your last period, see your doctor as sometimes it is a sign that there is a problem .
Note to parent/ teacher:
Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) has
many causes including pregnancy,
abnormalities in the structures of the
reproductive system, hormonal abnormalities,
growths such as cysts and tumours, excessive
exercising, and psychological problems such
as stress. Amenorrhea may also be a symptom
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Questions About Human Sexual Response
1. What is a hymen?
The hymen is a fold of tissue that covers the opening of the vagina that is usually present at birth.
2. What does
impotent mean?
Impotence is when a man is unable to get an erection, or maintain an erection, preventing the continuation of sexual intercourse.
3. Why do guys get
"horny"?
Guys and girls get "horny" or
aroused when there is some form of sexual
stimulation. Guys and girls can get sexually
stimulated by sight, touch, smell, thought
or fantasy.
4. What happens when a girl has an orgasm?
When a female has an orgasm, her breathing
becomes fast and heavy, her pulse races, and
the muscles deep in the genital area
contract rapidly very briefly.
5. Is masturbation
normal? If I masturbate too much, can it
hurt me?
Masturbation is when you touch or rub your genitals to make them feel good. Masturbation is normal. Whether someone chooses to masturbate or not is a personal choice. Masturbation is not harmful. It can be part of a person's healthy sexual expression. The only time it might be considered a problem is when a person is masturbating so much, that it interferes with the development of healthy relationships or the involvement of other activities.
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Questions About First Intercourse
1. What about having sex when you're 13?
1. Is it bad to have sex when you're 13?
Only you can decide when you are ready to have sex. There is no magical age when it is suddenly "okay". When considering having sex at any age, it is important to think about the potential consequences. Ask yourself:
• What are my reasons for wanting to have sex? Do I feel lonely? Am I being pressured? Do I love my partner?
• Will my moral, religious and family values be affected by my decision? Will I feel guilty or bad afterwards if I have sex?
• How will I protect myself from pregnancy and STI?
• Do I trust my partner? Is he or she pressuring me? Are we close? Can we talk about safer sex and birth control? If birth control fails, are we ready to deal with an unplanned pregnancy?
Sometimes talking to a parent or adult you trust can be helpful in determining if you are ready to become sexually active or not.
2. If a guy rapes a
girl, is she still a virgin?
Rape, or a more appropriate term, sexual assault, is a crime of violence, not an intimate, consensual activity. Depending on the person, virginity can be defined in different ways. One common definition of a virgin is a person who has never had sexual intercourse . This question relates to personal values and may vary from individual to individual; so I cannot give you a definite answer. It's best for you to get all the information and discuss this with a trusted adult or parent. *Note to parents: please be aware of possible disclosure of sexual abuse or assault.
3. Why does it hurt
the first time you have sex? Does it hurt
the guy too?
Some girls do not have any pain the first time they have vaginal sex, whereas others do. Everybody is different. A reason why it might be painful for a girl is if her hymen (the fold of tissue across the opening of the vagina) was not yet broken. Or it can be painful for both partners if there is not enough lubricant.
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Questions About Pregnancy
1. Is it possible to
have a period while pregnant?
No, it is not possible for a woman to have a period while she is pregnant. A woman may have some bleeding called "breakthrough bleeding" or "spotting" at the time her period would have been due. Breakthrough bleeding is when blood comes from the uterus any time other than during your period.
2. How young can a girl get pregnant?
A girl can get pregnant once she has started to ovulate. A sign that a girl has started to ovulate is that she has started to have menstrual periods. On average, girls begin to menstruate between the ages of 9 and 16.
3. After the baby,
is the woman all loose?
If the baby is delivered vaginally (through the vagina), the vagina will be significantly stretched after the birth of the baby. The vagina slowly returns to its non-pregnant size by 6 to 8 weeks after delivery.
4. What can alcohol
and drugs do to a baby?
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can put the health of the baby at risk. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the part of the baby that is developing at the time can be damaged (e.g. brain, eyes, ears, liver, kidneys, ets.). Drinking alcohol during pregnancy puts the baby at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) which is when the baby is born with birth defects and brain damage effecting behaviour and cognition (the mental process bu which knowledge is gained). If the baby does not have FASD, it may be at risk for fetal alcohol effect (FAE) which is a form of FASD. There are no safe limits when it comes to drinking alcohol, so no alcohol should be consumed during pregnancy.Using certain drugs (e.g. cocaine, heroin, marijuana etc.) during pregnancy can also put the baby's health at risk. The effects depend upon the type of drug the fetus has been exposed to. Drugs during pregnancy puts the baby at risk for low birth weight, poor weight gain, developmental delays, withdrawal symptoms at birth (e.g. jittery, hyperactive, irritable), and possibly death. No drugs should be taken during pregnancy unless recommended by your doctor.
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Questions About Birth Control
1. Can you get pregnant the first time you
have sex?
Yes, you can get pregnant the first time you have sexual intercourse. It is important to protect yourself from pregnancy and STI by using a condom every time you have intercourse combined with a hormonal method of contraception such as the pill, patch, ring or Depo Provera or combined with spermicide .
2. Is it
okay to use more than one or two methods of
birth control?
Yes, it is okay to use more than
one or two methods of birth control
depending on what the methods are. For
example, it is recommended that a man wear a
condom while his female partner is on a
hormonal contraceptive such as the birth
control pill. Doubling up in this manner not
only provides extra protection against
pregnancy, but it also provides some
protection from STI as well. On
the other hand, male and female condoms
should not be used together as they can
stick to each other causing one or both
devices to move or tear. Male condoms
should not be “double bagged” as it can cause
tearing.
4. Will it hurt you
to take the Pill for a long period of time?
Like any medication, there are
health risks from taking the Pill (oral
contraceptives). These health risks,
however, are very rare. Most women can be on
the Pill for years without any problems.
Yearly check ups and pap tests are
recommended after you become sexually active
to track any health changes.
3. How do
you ask your family doctor for the Pill?
Talking to your doctor about any
health concern can be stressful. Clear and
effective communication is important. If you
are nervous about your visit to the doctor,
tell him or her. Before you visit the
doctor, prepare yourself by writing down
your questions and concerns. Asking a parent
or a friend to go with you might also be
helpful and decrease your stress. If you are nervous about going to your
family doctor, you can go to a family
planning clinic instead for confidential
counselling and low cost birth control.
4. If a woman has
her tubes tied, can she still have a period?
When a woman has a tubal ligation
also known as having her "tubes tied", she
will continue to have regular periods. The
unfertilized egg simply gets reabsorbed into
the body instead of being released along
with the menstrual flow.
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Questions About Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STDs)/ Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STI)
1. Can you tell if you
have an STI or if you need a check-up?
Sometimes you can tell if you have an STI, many times you cannot. Many times a person can have a STI and not know it because they have few or no symptoms. Other times people have symptoms such as: discharge from the penis; different or heavier discharge from the vagina; burning or pain when peeing; itchiness or sores on or around the genitals or anus; or swollen glands in the groin. If you have any of these symptoms, you should be seen by a doctor for a physical exam and STI testing as soon as possible. If you have had unprotected sex, or think you may have been infected with an STI even though you do not have any symptoms, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor or visit an STI clinic. If you are sexually active, it is important to be seen by a doctor for a complete physical examination.
Remember, a person can spread an STI without
knowing it. The only way to protect yourself
from catching an STI is by not having sex at
all. If you do have sex, use a condom every
time as it will provide some protection.
2. Are there different STI for guys and
girls?
Girls and guys do not have different STI,
however, the symptoms of the STI may be
different. (For example, both
genders can get an STI called Chlamydia.
Symptoms in females include: burning when
peeing; pain in the lower abdomen; pain or
bleeding during or after sex; spotting or
bleeding in between periods; and unusual
vaginal discharge. Symptoms in males
include: milky or watery discharge from the
penis; pain or swelling of the testicles;
and burning when peeing.)
3. Can you get an
STI if you've never had sex?
Most STI are transmitted by
having vaginal, oral or anal sex. However, some STI are spread through
infected blood on needles and syringes,
pregnancy and childbirth (e.g. Hepatitis B
or HIV), or genital contact
(e.g. genital herpes or genital
warts).
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Questions
About Sexual Orientation
1. I think I might be gay. What should I do?
It is normal for people to question their
sexuality. If you think you might be gay but
are unsure, you might find it helpful to
talk to somebody about your feelings.
Consider talking to your parents, a
counsellor at school, a clergy person, a
teacher or someone at a gay or youth
community center. It might also be helpful
to read books or magazines that address sexual diversity. Doing these things may help you
feel supported, less alone, and sure about
your feelings.
2. How can a person
be bisexual?
People may experience feelings of love and attraction for the other sex, the same sex or both. When a person is bisexual, it
means they have feelings of affection and
attraction, both physically and emotionally,
to both women and men.
3. How do gay men have sex
Gay men, just like
heterosexuals, express love and affection in
many different ways.
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Questions About Abortion/Adoption
1. If you accidentally get pregnant and you
didn't want it, what could you do?
If an unitended pregnancy is confirmed a woman has 3 choices:
-contiuning with the pregnancy and choosing to parent;
-continuing with the pregnancy and choosing adoption;
-endign the pregnancy and choosing abortion.
If you are faced with making this difficult decision it is important you have fully understand all of your options and get non-judgemental information. Talking to your parents, a trusted adult, a friend, or going to a sexual health clinic for information and support would be helpful.
2. Can you
still have a baby after having an abortion?
If an abortion is done safely and
legally, and there are no complications, it
should not affect your ability to have
children in the future.
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References
Alberta Health Services. (2010). Alcohol and other drugs in pregnancy. Retrieved from http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/2671.asp
Alberta Health Services. (2008). Chlamydia. [factsheet] Retrieved from http://www.teachingsexualhealth.ca/media/STI/605536%20-%20Chlamydia%20(2008-10).pdf
Alberta Health and Wellness. (1995-2011). Am I ready for sex? Retrieved from http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/sex-am-I-ready.html
Alberta Health and Wellness. (1995-2011). Hepatitis. Retrieved from http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/hepatitis.html
Alberta Health and Wellness. (2000). Growing up ok! Retrieved from http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/growing-up-ok.pdf
Canadian Federation for Sexual Health. (2008). Female reproductive anatomy. Retrieved from http://www.cfsh.ca/Your_Sexual_Health/Anatomy/Female_Reproductive_Anatomy.aspx
Canadian Federation for Sexual Health. (2008). Female reproductive anatomy. Retrieved from http://www.cfsh.ca/Your_Sexual_Health/Anatomy/Female_Reproductive_Anatomy.aspx
Canadian Federation for Sexual Health. (2008). FAQs. Retrieved from http://www.cfsh.ca/Your_Sexual_Health/FAQs/
Canadian Federation for Sexual Health. (2008). Sexually transmitted infections & HIV. Retrieved from http://www.cfsh.ca/Your_Sexual_Health/STIs-and-HIV/
Canadian Federation for Sexual Health. (2008). What does it mean to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual? Retrieved from http://www.cfsh.ca/Your_Sexual_Health/Gender-Identity-and-Sexual-Orientation/Being-gay-lesbian-or-bisexual.aspx
Canadian Federation for Sexual Health. (2008). Abortion. Retrieved from http://www.cfsh.ca/Your_Sexual_Health/Abortion/
Donald Venes, M.D., M.S.J., ed. 2009. Taber's® Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia, PA. F. A. Davis Company..STAT!Ref Online Electronic Medical Library. http://online.statref.com.hinc.lib.ucalgary.ca/document.aspx?fxid=57&docid=67858
Harris, R.H. & Emberley, M. (2009). It's perfectly normal: changing bodies, growing up, sex, and sexual health. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Hatcher, R.A., Trussell, J., Nelson, A., Cates, W., Stewart,F. & Kowal, D. (2009). Contraceptive technology (19th ed.). New York: Ardent Media, Inc.
International Sexuality and HIV Curriculum Working Group. (2009). It's all one curriculum: guidelines for a unified approach to sexuality, gender, HIV, and human rights education. New York: Population Council.
Rathus, S.A., Nevid, J.S. & Fiechner-Rathus, L. (2006). Human sexuality in a world of diversity (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
sexualityandu.ca. (2010). Managing your period. Retrieved from http://www.sexualityandu.ca/en/sexual-health/all_about_menstruation/managing-your-period
sexualityandu.ca. (2010). Frequently asked questions: what are the symptoms of a yeast infection? Retrieved from http://sexualityandu.ca//en/faqs/single/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-yeast-infection
sexualityandu.ca (2010). Sexual health: painful intercourse. Retrieved from http://www.sexualityandu.ca/en/sexual-health/physical_problems/painful-intercourse
sexualityandu.ca. (2010). Pregnancy: what happens to my body after delivery? Retrieved from http://www.sexualityandu.ca/en/sexual-health/pregnancy/what-happens-to-my-body-after-delivery
sexualityandu.ca. (2010). Types of STIs-STDs. Retrieved from http://www.sexualityandu.ca/en/stis-stds/types-of-stis-stds
Talking About Sexuality in Calgary Communities (TASCC). (2011). Sexuality topics: pregnancy. Retrieved from http://www.tascc.ca/sexuality-topics/pregnancy#parenting
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