In both boys and girls, puberty starts with the release of hormones from the pituitary gland – a pea shaped gland located in the brain.
Hormones are chemical messengers that allow different parts of the body to communicate with each other. In girls, the pituitary gland sends a message to the ovaries to start releasing hormones called estrogens. In boys, the pituitary gland sends a message to the testicles to start producing the hormone called testosterone.
These hormones are responsible for many of the changes associated with puberty.
Ovulation and Menstruation
In girls, hormones released from the pituitary gland send a message to the ovaries – two grape-sized organs located in the lower pelvic region of the woman. The ovaries then begin to release estrogen, which in turn leads to the release of ova or eggs – female reproductive cells.
This process is call ovulation and it occurs about once every month. Baby girls are actually born with all the eggs they will need over their lifetime. However, it is not until puberty that these eggs become mature and are released from the ovaries.
Once ovulation occurs, the egg is caught by the fallopian tube that helps to move the egg down to the uterus. The uterus or womb is a pear-shaped muscular organ where a fertilized egg can develop into a fetus. A mother’s uterus is where a fetus grows.
During the month, the endometrium lining inside the uterus thickens. If an egg cell is fertilized by a man’s sperm cell, it implants itself in this nourishing lining in the uterus. A fertilized egg would take about 40 weeks to develop into a baby.
However, most of the time the egg will not be fertilized, the thick lining will not be needed, and the lining will slough off the sides of the uterus and out of the body through the cervix – the mouth of the uterus leading to the vagina - and then through the vagina. This process is called menstruation.
Menstruation lasts somewhere between three and seven days. The blood that is lost during menstruation is caught with a tampon or a sanitary napkin. As the facilitator of the class, you may want to share samples of these items with your students. It is also important to explain how these items work.
Some girls and women may experience P.M.S. – pre-menstrual syndrome. Some of the symptoms of P.M.S. include cramping, backache and bloating. These symptoms can be relieved by limiting salt intake, drinking plenty of water, getting light exercise (stretching or walking), applying heat through a hot water bottle or heating pad, or taking a pain reliever. Remind your students that they should always ask their parents before taking any medication.
Ejaculation
In boys, the pituitary gland sends a message to the testicles to start releasing more testosterone. In turn, the testicles begin to produce sperm – male reproductive cells.
This process, in which the males produce functional sperm, is called spermatogenesis. The testicles - two walnut-sized glands - are protected by a sac called the scrotum. The scrotum helps to regulate the temperature of the testicles.
Testicles need to be kept slightly cooler than the rest of the body. Sperm from the testicles move to the epididymis where they mature. In an ejaculation, sperm from the epididymis move through the vas deferens – a slim duct of the testicle - to collect semen. Semen - a whitish-yellow fluid that nourishes the sperm - is a combination of fluid produced from three glands: the prostate, the seminal vesicles, and the Cowper’s glands. Sperm make up about 1% of the ejaculatory fluid; the rest of the fluid is semen. In each ejaculation, there are about two hundred and fifty million sperm.
For ejaculation to occur, the penis must be erect. A penis can become erect in reaction to cold, the urge to urinate, during sleep cycles, or from sexually arousing thoughts.
During puberty, erections can occur for no particular reason and without warning. Inside the penis are three large vesicles that engorge with blood during sexual excitement. The penis becomes hard or erect because of the rush of blood that fills the penis. The semen is ejaculated through the urethra – the same tube that allows for urination.
A male cannot ejaculate and urinate at the same time. Nature devised a special valve that shuts off the possibility of urination during ejaculation.
During puberty, it is not unusual for a boy to experience a wet dream – an involuntary release of semen that occurs while a boy is sleeping.
Fertilization
Fertilization occurs when the sperm meet the egg. Usually, this occurs during sexual intercourse - when the penis is inserted inside the vagina and an ejaculation occurs. This is called sexual intercourse. The consequences of sexual intercourse can be serious. An individual should not have sexual intercourse unless s/he is emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially ready. Fertilization can also occur through artificial insemination. Women can become pregnant when sperm is inserted into the vagina or at the base of the uterus.
Sperm swim through the vagina and uterus to find an egg in the fallopian tube. Sperm can live about three to five days inside a woman’s reproductive system. So, if the egg is not present at that particular moment, the sperm may still be able to fertilize an egg released in the following days.
An egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube. Within a few days, it attaches itself to the thickened lining of the uterus. It takes about 40 weeks for the fertilized egg to become a fully developed baby.
Circumcision
Circumcision is the name of the surgical procedure that removes the loose skin, called the foreskin, which covers the tip of the penis. Circumcision is usually done at birth. Circumcision is normally performed because of custom or because of religious beliefs. Boys with uncircumcised penises should clean the tip of their penis by pulling back the loose skin and washing underneath. This can easily be done while taking a shower or a bath.
Wet Dreams
Most people are aware that during puberty many boys have wet dreams. However, few people realise that girls experience wet dreams as well. Since girls produce vaginal lubrication inside their bodies, they may find vaginal secretions in their underwear, but they will not normally need to wash their bed sheets after experiencing a wet dream. Parents may never be aware of their daughter’s wet dreams. In contrast, when boys experience wet dreams, they ejaculate outside their bodies and the semen frequently wets their bedding. Boys can be encouraged to change and wash their own sheets, should they wish. Both boys and girls need to be told that wet dreams are very common and a natural part of puberty as young people develop sexual thoughts and feelings.
Emotional Changes
The hormones that begin the physical changes during puberty also affect the way children and teens feel. Some kids experience swift changes in their moods, some become increasingly nervous or withdrawn, others may feel terrific about the changes in themselves. Many young people become increasingly interested in their appearance and in their bodies. Preteens often develop romantic feelings towards their peers. Every child is different. However, it is common for all young people to experience some basic changes. Intense emotions, including happiness, love, anger, frustration, sadness and sexual feelings often accompany puberty. It is important to affirm your students. Let them know that what they are feeling is perfectly natural.
Social Changes
During puberty, and into adolescence, most young people desire independence. There is a period of gradual maturation and separation from their families. During this time, friends, peers and teachers play an increasingly important role in the lives of teens. It is crucial that lines of communication remain open between parents/caregivers and their children at this time. This way, teens can remain emotionally and socially connected to their families while also exploring their individual identities, friendships and relationships.
It is also important to be aware of the relationship between physical development and sexual development. At each stage of physical development, children explore their sexuality. This chart outlines the sexual changes that children experience as they mature.
