get an answer

Anatomy and Physiology

Question: I was wondering about the hymen, can it be damaged using a tampon? How does the menstrual flow get past it? Are there 'flaps' that allow for flow to go past?

Answer: The hymen is a slightly thickened layer of tissue stretching across the opening of the vagina that is usually present at birth. The function of the hymen is unknown.

The hymen can be broken when a female has her first sexual intercourse. “Breaking your cherry” refers to a girl or woman losing her virginity, or having sexual intercourse for the first time. However, because of tampon use or active sports, many women have their hymen torn or stretched before this. In addition, some women are born with incomplete or flexible hymens which would not tear during sexual intercourse. The vaginal opening is not usually covered by the hymen so menstrual flow can leave the body.

Question: Where do the words "penis" and "vagina" come from?

Answer: This would be an interesting project for your students. I had a quick look on-line at several etymology sites (such as http://www.wordwizard.com/), but was unable to come up with the exact origin. However, most anatomical and medical words are derived from Latin.
 

*Question: While reviewing the anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive system (Lesson One of this website's grade 7 lesson plans), a student asked me if semen has a taste. Should I answer this question? If so, how?

Answer: Questions such as these require judgment and sensitivity. If you believe that the question does not relate to the majority of the class needs, or that it may offend students/parents, you might say to the class “I have a question from someone that I choose not to answer because I feel that it is not of interest to all students, or related to class discussion. It is not because it is a bad question. If you asked a question that was not answered then please see me at the end of the class, I will try to answer your question."

If you decide to answer the question for the class, respond with factual information that is most simple and straightforward. You may answer “Semen is partially made up of a fructose-rich fluid produced by the seminal vesicles which provides nourishment for the sperm cells. The taste may vary from salty to sweet depending on that fluid.”

Contraception

Question: In the literature it states that IUD is not an option for women who have not had any children. Could you explain why?

Answer: An IUD is a small, T- shaped frame made of soft, flexible plastic with a nylon string attached. There are 2 types of IUD: the Mirena®, a hormonal IUD; and a copper IUD. The main role of the IUD is to prevent fertilization. The IUD can be an option for women who have not had children. If a woman is interested in this method, it would be a good idea for her to first discuss the pros and cons with her doctor so that her individual needs and factors are taken into account. The main concern is the increased risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease (and thus leading to a pelvic inflammatory disease) if one has multiple partners or her partner has multiple partners. One other factor is that women who have had no children are at a slightly higher risk for spontaneously expelling the IUD. This can occur without the woman detecting it at the time. However, if she is regularly checking for the strings, she will pick up on this.

Decision Making

Puberty

Question: My periods are blue, is this normal?

Answer: Periods, or menstruation, is the shedding of the blood and fluid lining of the uterus. The color of the flow may vary from being bright red or pink, to a darker blackish-red color. I understand that their is an advertisement on TV that uses a blue fluid to depict menstrual flow on a pad - I suspect that this student is pulling your leg! If she is having blue periods though, I would recommend that she see her doctor.
 

Question: Is it odd to undergo puberty changes and still not get a period, even if it has been a year?
Answer: No, this is perfectly normal. Puberty takes place over the course of several years, and it happens in stages. Girls often gain height and weight, develop breasts and pubic hair, get pimples etc. before they start having periods. On average, periods do not commence until 1 1/2 to 2 years after these other changes occur.

Question: Why do your breasts hurt if they get pushed?
Answer: Like most parts of the body, breasts can be sore from time to time. Not only for girls, but for guys, too. One of the most common times that breasts might feel sore is when they are beginning to develop. First you might notice a small button-like lump beneath the nipple area. The medical name for this is the breast bud, and it is often present in guys and girls. The breast bud may be a little tender and may cause you to worry but it's a normal part of puberty. It is also common for girls and women to have sore breasts around the beginning of their period, or menstruation. 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 stomachs, 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.

 

Relationships

Question: Why does the new Health Curriculum for elementary schools not specifically address the connection between self image and the sexual images that are used in music videos, computer games, movie, TV shows etc.?

Answer: The Alberta Education Program of Studies for Health and Life Skills, Kindergarten to Grade 9  has curriculum that relates to body image in the following outcomes: W-4.4, W-5.4, and W-6.4. You are correct in understanding that these grades do not specifically address the connection between self image and the sexual images that are used in the media. When a student enters Junior High, this connection is explored in outcomes W-7.4, W-7.12, W-8.4 and W-9.4. You may wish to contact Alberta Learning for more background information and rationale behind the learner outcomes. If you wish to see an overview of the curriculum as it relates specifically to human sexuality, link to Curriculum Overview.

 

Question: How does looking at porn pictures make men happy? (grade 7 student)
Answer: There are likely many reasons why some men (and women) are sexually aroused by looking at pornography. Some may use pornography to fantasize and think about sexy thoughts, others may just be curious or use it as a way to explore their own sexuality. It is important to realize that much of pornography is not a fair depiction of reality (i.e. most women do not have bodies like those in Playboy) and that it usually focuses only on the physical aspects of sex or sexuality. In real life, we have the joy and pleasure of having emotional and intellectual ties with a person that we love and respect. The grade 7 lesson plans have three sessions about Social Influences on sexuality. Some of the activities in these lesson plans might help your class to explore this issue more.
 

reproduction and Pregnancy

Question: What are some anticipated difficulties I could expect when teaching a lesson on fetal development?

Answer: In the Alberta Education Curriculum, fetal development is taught in Grades 5 & 6. At that age, the students often have questions such as "how are twins made?", "what causes conjoined twins?", "what causes birth defects?", and they have very practical questions about how the fetus lives inside the mom (i.e. "does it breathe?", "does it have hiccups?" etc). Students may also ask why some babies die at birth or what a miscarriage is. These are normal questions that can be handled if answered honestly. We do not always know the reasons why babies did or women have miscarriages and these event are extremely difficult to deal with. In your review of anatomy with the class, you will want to clarify that the baby grows inside the uterus, which is separate from the digestive system. If you are teaching this subject in high school, one of the issues that may be raised is abortion, and whether or not the baby is considered "a human being" in the early embryonic stages. It will be very important to allow for the students to have and identify their own values and beliefs on this. It would be a good topic to ask them to take home, or to their minister or priest.
 

Question: How likely is it for me to get pregnant if I have oral sex (his penis touching my mouth) and he only pre-cums?

Answer: Oral sex is when a person stimulates their partner’s genitals with their lips, mouth or tongue. A woman cannot get pregnant if she gives or receives oral sex. However, it is important to remember that sexually transmitted infections (STI) can be spread through oral sex. When a man receives oral sex, it is recommended he wear a condom to help protect his partner from STI. When a woman receives oral sex, it is recommended that a dental dam (a small rubber sheet paced over the woman’s genital area) be used to help protect her partner from STI.  Dental dams can be purchased at a drugstore or you can make a dental dam yourself by cutting open a condom.

If your partner’s penis touched your vagina there is small chance of pregnancy because sperm may be present in pre-ejaculate (pre-cum) fluid. If you are going to continue to be sexually active you might want to think about a reliable form of birth control to prevent pregnancy, STI and HIV.

Question: Where do I find a film on sexual intercourse that is not too dramatic for kids? (Elementary, grade 4)

Answer: The curriculum for human sexuality in grade 4 does not include outcomes on sexual intercourse (reproduction). At this grade the curriculum is on puberty. More information on curriculum outcomes can be found under "How to teach" on this website or you can go here. A list of suggested videos for use in CBE classrooms can also be found under our "Resources" section.

STI

Question: Why are tattoo parlors and body piercing parlors not regulated, when most teens ages 18 and up are getting these services and can contract HIV? Why is there no information on how to assess how clean and safe a tattoo or body piercing parlor is on the Alberta Health Services website, when this is currently a common practice with teens?
Answer: Alberta Health Services, Calgary Zone, has a harm reduction prevention and education program called Safeworks. Specifically, it strives to educate and prevent harm related to the infection and transmission of HIV, Hep B & C, and also wound infection. I would encourage you to contact them with your questions and concerns. Their email address is safeworks@albertahealthservices.ca
 

Question: What is the difference between Hep B and C. Is the difference primarily in the strain of the virus? Does one not experience the same symptoms with both viruses?
Answer: The viruses (A, B and C) that cause hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, are all different. They all have very specific ways of spreading from person to person, and although they cause the same type of symptoms, what does vary is the severity and length of the disease. Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. There is a vaccine for this disease. Hepatitis B is spread through both blood and bodily fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluids. There is a vaccine for Hep B, and it is offered in Grade 5 to students in Alberta. Hepatitis C is spread only through direct blood to blood contact, or through bodily fluids that contain blood. There is no vaccine for this disease as the virus is constantly mutating. Most people who become infected with the Hep B or C virus have no symptoms and are unaware of the infection. However, they are contagious while the virus is still in their body. If they do get sick initially, they experience flu-like symptoms, and often develop yellow skin and eyes for a few weeks. 90 percent of adults who get Hep B recover completely. However, 75 - 85% of people infected with Hep C go on to develop a chronic, or lifetime, infection. In both Hep B and C, chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis or cancer of the liver later in life.
 

Question: How would you describe what a virus is to a student (grade 9)
Answer: A virus is a kind of germ that is so small it can't even be seen with a regular microscope. Some viruses can be prevented by vaccines. Viruses are the smallest and simplest of all germs, but they are also some of the deadliest. A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a virus can not be cured, but it can be treated to help make the symptoms disappear. Herpes and HIV are two STI that are caused by viruses. Viruses also cause the flu, chicken pox, and malaria.
 

Question: How old must you be to get a yeast infection and does puberty affect this?
Answer: Yeast infections affect nearly 3 out of 4 women at least once in a lifetime. This includes women of all ages from childhood (very rare) to beyond menopause. However, it's during the childbearing years that women are most susceptible because changes in hormone levels during a woman's menstrual cycle can contribute towards the development of a yeast infection. Other factors that can cause a yeast infection are: antibiotics, pregnancy, birth control pills, diabetes, using vaginal deodorants, perfumed soaps, bubble baths, douching and wearing tight clothing. Symptoms of a yeast infection include: mild to intense vaginal itching, lumpy white vaginal discharge, vaginal soreness, irritation or burning and redness around the vagina.
 

Yeast infections can be treated with over the counter antifungal preparations and also prescription oral medication. It's important to see your doctor for first time diagnosis of a yeast infection before self medicating.

 

Miscellaneous

Question: Can a young man get prostate cancer?

Answer: The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age. It is rare before age 40, but it is seen in some men in their 40's and increasingly after age 50. Testicular cancer, however, is most common in men between the ages of 15 and 35. Young men should check their testicles regularly for any thickenings or lumps. If you wish to learn more about testicular or prostate cancer, I would recommend that you (or your student) visit the Canadian Cancer Society's website at www.cancer.ca. Once in there you can visit the site called Specific Cancers, and then click on the particular one you wish to learn about.
 

Question: Do elevated levels of testosterone affect gum sensitivity?

Question: What is the real definition of menopause?
Answer: Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her ovaries stop making hormones and releasing eggs. Estrogen levels in the woman drop considerably. Later on she stops having periods all together. After this point a woman can't get pregnant any more. For most women this will happen between the age of 45-55.

Question: What is TSS?
Answer: TSS stands for Toxic Shock Syndrome. TSS is a systemic, or whole-body, illness that can be caused by at least two different types of bacteria,

Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Some of these bacteria have the ability to produce specific toxins - proteins that act as poisons affecting not just the site where the bacteria are located but organs throughout the body. Early on, researchers found that more than 90% of cases were associated with the use of tampons in girls and women who were menstruating. Some researchers suspected that certain types of high-absorbency tampons provided a moist, warm home where the bacteria could thrive and occasionally produce toxins. A massive public health effort has led to changes in tampon absorbency and composition. The result has been a big decline in the number of cases of TSS.
 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Because TSS is a systemic illness caused by a toxin, the signs and symptoms involve many organ systems of the body and occur suddenly. The signs and symptoms of TSS include:
 

• high fever (greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, 38.8 degrees Celsius)
   

• rapid drop in blood pressure (with lightheadedness or fainting)
   

• whole-body, sunburn-like rash
   

• vomiting and diarrhea
   

• severe muscle aches
   

• bright red coloring of the eyes, throat, and vagina
   

• headache, confusion, and disorientation
   

• failure of the kidneys

You can reduce the already low risk of TSS by simply following some common sense practices of good hygiene. If you're a girl who's had her period, you should select tampons with the lowest absorbency that can handle your menstrual flow, and change them frequently. You can also alternate the use of tampons with sanitary napkins.