6th Grade Puberty
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are questions that we are frequently asked when we talk to students your age on puberty.
Remember that it is important to look for reliable sources when you have questions on puberty and the
reproductive system. If you do not see the answer to your question below, please seek out information
from a trusted adult or one of the recommended internet sites below. As we talked about in class, parents
and trusted adults are great resources to help you answer any questions that you may have. I hope that the
information we’ve gathered below can answer many of your questions.
Recommended reliable websites:
 For general questions on teen health, and puberty: http://teenshealth.org/teen/
 For questions on getting your period, tampons and pads: https://www.ubykotex.com/get-the-facts
 For information on reproductive health, healthy relationships, substance abuse, mental health, as
well as physical health and nutrition: http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/
Remember! Don’t stop asking questions!
General Questions
Q: Why do we have to learn this?
A: Learning about your body and how it will change during puberty is important for your health and wellbeing. During puberty your body changes from being a child to an adult. Learning about this gives you
the knowledge and tools to understand and handle these changes as well as keep yourself healthy now and
in the future.
Puberty & Reproductive System Questions
Q: Why do we have to have puberty?
A: Puberty is a natural part of growing up. Puberty marks the beginning of the transition from child to
adult. It is 100% normal. Everyone goes through it at some point.
Q: Does puberty hurt?
A: Puberty is a time of changes. Your body is developing both physically and emotionally into an adult.
These changes can feel scary or confusing. But, at the same time, they can be exciting-- You are
becoming your adult self! This is not a painful process. If you are feeling scared, talk to a trusted adult.
Q: What parts of the body change (all) when you are growing up?
A: This is a great question. During puberty, your body is changing from being a child to being an adult
and preparing the body to be able to reproduce, or have a child one day. For both girls and boys, the
changes related to puberty are triggered by hormones. For boys, puberty usually happens between the
ages of 10-15 years old. The hormone testosterone causes boys’ voices to get deeper, their shoulders to
become broader and their hips narrower (smaller). Boys will also start growing chest and other facial hair.
Their penis and testicles grow. They may also experience nocturnal emissions, or what are known as wet
dreams. For girls, puberty usually happens earlier than for boys, between the ages of 9-13 years old. The
hormones estrogen and progesterone cause changes including widening of the hips, enlargement of the
breasts, and the beginning of monthly menstruation, or the period. Girls can also experience vaginal
discharge during this time. For both males and females, increased levels of hormones in the body can
cause growth spurts, oily skin and scalp, increased sweat and body odor, increased body hair and acne.
All the changes during puberty can be confusing and it might be easy find yourself feeling lost. It’s
important to remember that puberty is only a short time. Talking with friends, family and trusted adults is
another good way to stay focused throughout these changes.
Q: What are hormones?
A: A hormone is a chemical released by the body. Hormones act as messengers. They send messages
from one part of the body to another. All living things have hormones. There are many different kinds of
hormones. Each gives a different signal to the body. The hormones released during puberty are
responsible for communicating the changes from child to adult. For girls, there are two hormones
responsible for puberty, estrogen and progesterone. For males, there is one, testosterone.
Q: Are you going to cry a lot? Are you going to be sad?
A: Many people experience quick changes in emotions during puberty. One minute you feel happy. The
next you may feel sad or angry. These changes are often referred to as “mood swings.” Mood swings
occur because of the hormones released during puberty. Hormones signal the body it is time to make the
physical and emotional changes that come with developing into an adult. It is the emotional changes that
come with puberty that cause mood swings. Mood swings are a normal part of puberty. Being aware of
how your mood affects yourself and others is important. Learning to be aware of your emotions and how
to control them is one of the biggest emotional developments in puberty. As this is a skill you’re learning,
and you might not be able to control your emotions 100% of the time. Here are a few great tips on
controlling your emotions from http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/puberty:
 Remember that you're not alone. Things always seem worse if you think you're the only one
who feels bad or is dealing with challenges. Well, you're not. Even people who seem like they
have it all together are probably struggling with the same feelings you are.
 Read about it. One of the best ways to get through tough times is to know exactly what you're
going through. Read up on puberty. Go to the library for books about puberty, or ask your doctor
or school nurse for some pamphlets or booklets.
 Depend on your friends. Talk about what you're feeling with your trusted friends. They may be
feeling the same way, or they may know how to help you. At the very least, they might offer
support and understanding, or just listen to you so you can get it all out.
 Talk to an adult. It can really help to talk to a parent or guardian who may remember what going
through puberty feels like. School counselors, school nurses, and doctors can also listen to what
you have to say and give you advice and support.
 Express yourself. If you like to write, draw, paint, sing, or play music -- you're lucky that you
have these great outlets for letting your feelings out! Even if it's just spilling your guts in a journal
or messing around with a guitar, you might be surprised by how good it feels to vent in some
creative way.
Q: Can our friendships change?
A: Yes, sometimes friendships can change during puberty. As your body develops into its adult self, so
does your mind. You may find that as you change, you enjoy hanging out with different people, or maybe
you enjoy hanging out with the same people. What is important to remember as you grow and change, is
to always be a kind and respectful peer even to individuals that you may not want to be friends with.
Q: Do women have three holes in their private section?
A: Yes, women have three holes in their private section, called the genitals, 1) the vagina, 2) the urethra,
and 3) the anus.
1) The vagina is the muscular tube between the uterus and outside the female body. The vagina is
the organ for both sexual intercourse and the birth canal, the passage through which a baby passes
during birth.
2) The urethra is the tube-like organ which carries urine from the bladder in females and urine and
sperm from the body in males. In females the urethra is not connected to the reproductive system
at all. In males, the male body has a system that keeps it from being able to release sperm and
urinate at the same time. Muscles at the base of the bladder contract in order to close off the
passageway from the bladder into the urethra. This makes it impossible for urine to be released at
the same time as semen.
3) The anus is part of the digestive tract. After food moves through the digestive tract, what cannot
be digested must exit the body as solid waste (also called feces or poop). Solid waste exits the
body through the anus.
Peer Pressure Questions
Q: Can peer pressure be with sexual intercourse?
A: The answer is yes, many teens feel pressure to have sex before they are ready. This pressure can come
from one’s boyfriend or girlfriend or from friends and peers. Individuals may also feel internal pressure to
keep pace with their friends. There can be serious consequences following the decision to have sex, so the
decision requires serious thinking. Sexual intercourse is an act that can lead to pregnancy. Not having sex,
or abstaining, is the only guaranteed method to prevent pregnancy. Pregnancy and having a child are
serious responsibilities, responsibilities that teens are not ready to undertake. Teens that have sex before
they are ready can also end up regretting the decision. It is important to consider the consequences and
your values to decide if having sex is the right decision for you. Talk to a parent or trusted adult if you’re
feeling pressured or want to talk about the decision to have sex.
If you do decide that you are ready to have sex, talk to your partner and make sure they are comfortable
with the decision as well. Even if you feel ready, your partner may not be, and you do not want to
pressure them into a decision that may not be right for them. Remember that sexual intercourse can lead
to pregnancy, and you will both need to take the proper precautions to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
If you are feeling pressured, remember the three assertive models of refusal:
• Say “no” firmly and keep repeating it.
• Take the offensive. Let the person know how the continued pressure makes you feel.
• Refuse to discuss the matter any further. Leave.
Conception & Pregnancy Questions
Q: What are sperm? What are ova?
A: When a man and a woman have a baby, both the father and the mother contribute half of the baby’s
genes. Genes are the codes for traits, like hair color, eye color, and if it will be a boy or a girl. These
genes are contained within the male and female sex cells. Male sex cells are called sperm. Female sex
cells are called ova (singular ovum). Sometimes ova are also called “eggs.” When a sperm and an ovum
come together, we call this fertilization. The result is called a zygote. If the zygote implants in the uterus,
it will grow and develop into a baby.
Q: What happens to the sperm that don’t get in the egg?
A: During sexual intercourse millions of sperm are released from the man, but only a few hundred will
make it to the ovum. Each sperm has a long tail to propel it, so it's well equipped to swim up to the
fallopian tube, where fertilization of the egg takes place. Although many sperm cluster around the ovum
and try to penetrate its outer layer, only one of them will manage to burrow its way through the surface
and fertilize the egg. All the other sperm that do not fertilize the egg simply dissolve in the woman’s
body. Remember both sperm and ova are so small that you can only see them with a microscope.
Q: Why does your period stop when you are pregnant?
A: Each month before ovulation, the female body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy. This means
that the endometrial, the lining of the uterus, begins to get thicker in case there is a fertilized ovum to
implant. When fertilization occurs, meaning an ovum (female sex cell) and a sperm (male sex cell) join
together, the fertilized egg (called a zygote) travels down the fallopian tube and implants in the uterine
lining. The lining helps sustain and nourish the fetus as it develops in the female’s body for the next nine
months, and therefore, does not discharge from the body in the form of your period. However, if
fertilization does not occur, the lining is no longer needed and thins out and leaves the body. The process
of this lining leaving the body is menstruation. The dissolving of the endometrium (or menstrual blood) is
a normal process for girls and women during their reproductive years.
Q: If a woman does not have her period, does it mean she can’t have babies?
A: To answer this question, let’s break it up into two scenarios:
1. A woman has had her period before but has not had it recently: Periods can change each month
depending on many factors. Sometimes you may even skip a month without getting your period.
Everyone is different and your period continues to change throughout your life. However, it is very
important to remember that if you are having sexual intercourse and you miss a period to go see a
doctor right away as this could be a sign of pregnancy. If you are having sexual intercourse, you can
still get pregnant even if you do not get your period that month. It is possible that a woman can
ovulate (release the female sex cell, the ovum) without having her period and can become pregnant. It
is very important to always use protection to prevent pregnancy if you are having sexual intercourse.
If you are missing periods often, it is also important to go see a doctor. Once a woman reaches
menopause (usually between the ages of 45-55 years old) her period will completely stop. At this
point, a woman is no longer able to have a baby.
2. A woman has never had her period: It is very rare for a woman to never get her period so if you have
not gotten yours yet do not worry. Everyone is different! Some women don’t get their period until
later on in high school while others may start in elementary school. However, if a woman has not
received her period by the age 15 it is a good idea for her to see a doctor. A doctor can determine if
the woman will be able to have a baby in the future. Please remember though that if you have not
started your period but are having sexual intercourse to use protection to prevent pregnancy.
Q: Is there a problem where you can’t get pregnant?
A: There is a small percent of women that, for whatever reason, are unable to become pregnant. This is
called infertility. Infertility can be caused by several different factors. Many of these factors can be treated
by a doctor
Q: Why do women experience cravings during pregnancy?
A: Scientists still aren’t 100% sure why women sometimes experience cravings during pregnancy. The
most common thinking is that women experience cravings because they are missing some important
vitamin or nutrient in their diet. Again, the exact reason for cravings hasn’t been determined; this is just
the most common theory.
Q: Can you have more than one baby at a time?
A: Yes. This is called multiples or multiple births. The most common form of multiples is twins. There
are two types of twins, fraternal and identical. The difference between identical twins and fraternal twins
comes from the way the egg is fertilized when a woman becomes pregnant. Fraternal means that two
different ova are fertilized. Identical means one fertilized ovum splits into two. That’s why identical
usually look almost exactly alike and shares the same genes (the coding that says how you are and what
you look like). Fraternal twins or triplets often don't look alike and only share approximately half of the
same genes — just like non-twin brothers and sisters who are born to the same parents. They can even be
different sexes. While twins are the most common, some women may have three babies, and this is called
triplets. There are very rare cases of women having more than three babies at once.
Q: How old do you have to be to be able to have a baby?
A: Once a woman has her period, it marks the time the she is physically able to reproduce, meaning have
a baby. Though the body is capable of having a baby, it does not always mean that an individual is
physically or emotionally ready to have a baby until much later on in life.
Q: What is a miscarriage?
A: A miscarriage is the loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. More than 80% of
miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. The causes of miscarriages are not well
understood. However, most miscarriages that occur within the first three months of a pregnancy are
because of abnormalities in the baby’s genes.
Q: How come I’ve seen guys have babies? Can a guy and a guy have babies?
A: While males cannot physically become pregnant and have babies, there are a number of ways that men
can become fathers. Males may have a female partner who gets pregnant and they have a baby. A male
and a female may also adopt a baby. Males may also have male partners, in which case they can adopt
babies.
Menstruation Question
Q: What is menstruation?
A: Good question. Menstruation is the technical term for getting one’s period. Each month before
ovulation, the female body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy. This means that the endometrium,
remember that is the lining of the uterus, begins to get thicker in case there is a fertilized ovum to implant.
However, if fertilization does not occur, the lining is no longer needed and thins out and leaves the body.
The process of this lining leaving the body is menstruation. The dissolving of the endometrium (or
menstrual blood) is a normal process for girls and women during their reproductive years. Once a woman
has her period, it marks the time the she is physically able to reproduce, meaning have a baby. Though
the body is capable of having a baby, it does not always mean that an individual is physically or
emotionally ready to have a baby. Starting menstruation is a big stage in puberty for girls. Prior to her
first period, called menarche, a young woman will have had earlier developments, such as public hair and
breast development before getting her period. Most girls will have their first period between the ages of 9
and 14. But some girls will start as early as 8, others as late as 17. The bleeding will last for a few days
and usually happens every month. This bleeding is nothing to be scared of, menstruation is completely
normal and all women get their period. Keeping a pad or a tampon in your backpack or purse is a good
idea in case you or a friend needs one.
Q: Why don’t boys have periods?
A: Women and men's bodies are designed to have different functions when it comes to reproduction.
Women's bodies have the capacity to become pregnant - to conceive and nurture a baby. The menstrual
cycle is the way that the female reproductive system prepares itself for a potential pregnancy. The ovaries
release an egg to be fertilized, and the uterus creates an environment in which a fertilized egg will grow
into a baby. When the egg is not fertilized, the period is the way the body "resets" itself so it can begin the
process all over again. This usually happens about once a month or so. Boy's bodies aren't designed to
become pregnant, so they do not go through these cycles the female body does!
Q: Why are people so grumpy or mad when they are on their period?
A: The same hormones, estrogen and progesterone, that communicate the start of puberty, also control a
women’s menstrual cycle. Some girls and women find that they feel sad or easily irritated during the few
days or week before their periods. Others may get angry more quickly than normal or cry more than
usual. Some girls crave certain foods. These types of emotional changes may be the result of premenstrual
syndrome (PMS). PMS is related to changes in the body's hormones. As hormone levels rise and fall
during a woman's menstrual cycle, they can affect the way she feels.
Q: Why do some girls not have their period?
A: Virtually every girl eventually gets their period. Some girls will their period start early, around age 9,
while others may be 16 or 17 before they get it. We hear a lot about the menstrual "cycle," which can
make it sound as though it happens like clockwork. In fact, most women don't get their periods in exactly
the same number of days after the last one. It's not unusual, especially in the first 2 years after starting to
get your period, to skip periods or to have an irregular menstrual cycle. Illness, rapid weight change, or
stress can also make your period more unpredictable. If your periods are irregular for 3 years or more or
suddenly stop for more than 3 months please see a doctor. The doctor may prescribe hormone pills or
other medications or recommend lifestyle changes that can help you to have regular periods. It's important
to see a doctor if you're sexually active and have missed a period. This could be a sign of pregnancy. You
should also see your doctor if you start having periods that last longer than 7 days, are heavy, are
occurring more often than every 21 days or less often than every 45 days, or are accompanied by severe
cramping or abdominal pain. Also let the doctor know if you have bleeding in between your periods. In
the meantime, if your periods are irregular, try keeping some pads or tampons in your backpack, just so
you'll have them handy in case your period comes when you're not expecting it.
Q: What are the signs that you are about to get your period?
A: Changing levels of hormones in your body before you get your period may cause some physical and
emotional changes. For example, you may experience bloating, pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen
or back, breast tenderness, tiredness, or nausea. These are all normal and it is good to find things that help
you feel better. If you ever experience unusual pain or discomfort, you should always tell an adult and see
a doctor.
Q: What are pads? What are tampons?
A: There are lots of different types of different products that women use to soak up the menstrual blood.
The two most common are pads and tampons.
 Pads are placed on the inside of a girl’s underwear (there is a sticky side so it sticks to your
underwear). There are many different types of pads: Super, slender, overnight, with or without
wings, deodorant, maxi, and mini and cloth pads. Some pads are scented or come with a
deodorant in them. Be cautious when using scented pads, these can cause irritation of the vagina
or an allergic reaction in some girls.
 Tampons are absorbent pieces of cotton that a girl inserts into her vagina to soak up the menstrual
blood before it exits the body. A lot of girls like using tampons because it feels more natural and
comfortable (since it is inside). Like pads, tampons come in different sizes and absorbencies for
heavier and lighter periods. Tampons can also come with or without deodorant. There's no real
need for deodorant in a tampon, since regular changing gets rid of any odor. The deodorant in
tampons can irritate the vagina, and could cause an allergic reaction in some girls so we don’t
recommend using tampons with deodorant. One thing to remember about tampons: It's very
important that to change them every few hours and to wear the right. If a tampon is left in too
long, it won't get lost. But a girl may get an unusual discharge and odor, and she could develop an
infection. That's why it's important to change tampons often.