Adolescence to womanhood ...! !

               Adolescence is the period in which , a child undergoes a number of physical , mental and social changes, thus completing the transformation from childhood to adulthood. The growth changes at this age are very dramatic, almost giving the impression that the child is growing overnight. From the long legged , flat chested, awkward school girl, the transformation into a shapely and graceful young woman is almost like the metamorphosis from the caterpillar to the butterfly.

                   Growing up is there fore, a strange blend of pleasure with a complex mixture of fears and hopes, aspiration and disappointments ,love and hate. It is for the elders around them to help these growing girls to accept their emergence into womanhood with pride and a sense of joyous anticipation of taking their place in the society as working woman , wives and mothers.

               As each phase of life has it’s own peculiar health problems, adolescence is not without these. One of the most important event in life of a girl is the onset of menstruation or the menarche, with all it’s attendant physical and emotional changes.

             The appearance of the sign of womanhood can be a terrifying experience for a girl who is utterly unprepared. This is often associated with disgust and shame. Much can be done to avoid this by simply teaching her the anatomy and physiology of reproductive system and by explaining to her about menstruation and ovulation. It is also necessary to teach them about the need to use clean sanitary pads and menstrual hygiene.

                    The age of menarche normally varies from 12 to 15 years, but occasionally menses may occur earlier or later. Ina group or class where some girls are menstruating and those who have not yet reached menarche, are often worried that they are abnormal. Reassurance to the girls that it is a normal physical changes , and balanced diet, rich in iron and vitamin B-12 , are all that is necessary.

                  In young girls, menses may be accompanied by pain in the lower back or abdomen. Pain occurs at the time of the commencement of the period; sometime pain may be dull and associated with a feeling of malaise. Pelvic pains can be relieved by using Anti spasmodic. If the pain is not relieved , doctor should be consulted at the earliest.

              Adolescent girls usually complain of a white discharge. This is particularly disturbing to older girls from more educated groups, as they have heard that this might be caused by cancer. This symptom usually disappears with treatment by heamatinics; otherwise, a doctor should be consulted.

                A rapid physical growth at this time drains the body reserve of minerals, especially calcium. If this is not supplied in diet, the depletion of body stores may result in manifestations, such as dental caries, falling hair, leg cramps, etc. There is also a need for additional protein for the growing tissue, as well as to cope with the wear and tear associated with adolescent activities.

               At the time of menarche, the breasts also develop, and the rate of development varies from individual to individual. Some girls get worried or become self-conscious when the breast begins to develop and in their effort to conceal them, they develop a stoop. Some adolescent girls Complain of pain or tenderness in the breast prior to menses. This may be relieved by reducing the salt and fluid intake or may need treatment by hormones, so a doctor must be consulted.

              Adolescent girls tend to put on weight, specially around the waist and hips. In most cases, this can be controlled by cutting down on starchy foods like rice, potatoes, cakes and sweets and simultaneously eating fruits and green vegetables. In a few cases of adiposity, hormonal imbalance is there and therefore, a doctor must be consulted.

              There are many factors during the adolescence that can upset the mental balance. Along with the development of sexual organs, the girl becomes conscious of her attraction towards the opposite sex. At the same time she has also developed certain moral and social values, which control her to become shy and withdrawn. It is essential that parents and teachers should try to understand their children better and encourage them to express freely.

        Adolescent girls are very conscious of their physical appearance and are very unhappy about acne on their face, shiny nose, gaining weight and hair on their faces. Their own friends add to their self-consciousness by giving them nicknames, etc. Parents can help these girls to accept their defects and gain self-confidence by commending the special qualities present in them.

        They often fuss about eating wholesome, nutritious food at home. They relish unwholesome eatable outside and thus expose themselves to infection.

        Girls of this age enjoy eating pickles, and sour foods and no amount of persuasion, that pickles are bad or the complexion, will make them swap pickles for salads and fruit juices.

        The adolescent girls are often moody. At times , they can be extremely loving and helpful, while at other times, they become rude and inconsiderate. It is then that parents usually complain, “ We never behaved like this when we were of your age.” Adults tend to forget that they also went through  a stage of uncertainty about themselves. The only difference is that more strictness was imposed upon them, whereas the adolescents of today have greater freedom.

        Anyhow, the period of adolescence is one of explorations & experimentation. There is a rapid fluctuation in their activities and enthusiasm, until they are able to find where their real aptitudes and interests lie. Adults fail to recognize that this is a natural process of development which needs to be encouraged.

        An unsympathetic or condemnatory attitude on the part of parents and the imposition of undue restrictions are likely to create resentment and hostility leading to rebellion or feelings of guilt and inadequacy. This may lead the adolescents to feel that they are not understood and become withdrawn and apathetic.