Adolescence & Puberty (week 2)

Question 1

What age range is the adolescent stage?

Answer 1

9 - 18years old - when an individual develops from a child to an adult

Question 2

What is the major change that happens in this change?

Answer 2

Puberty

Question 3

What is puberty?

Answer 3

Puberty is the stage of growth and development, in which a child’s body turns into that of an adult. This includes physical changes and they become capable of reproduction.

Question 4

What are primary and secondary sexual characteristics? (the definition)

Answer 4

Primary sexual characteristics - These are present at birth, and they develop during puberty. They are directly involved with reproduction.
Secondary sexual characteristics - These develop during puberty. They are not directly part of the reproductive system. They are external traits.

Question 5

What are some examples of primary sexual characteristics?

Answer 5

Females: menstruation begins (periods). The uterus and vagina grows
Males: penis and testes enlarge. Secretions are released from the prostate gland (essential for sperm health)

Question 6

What are some examples of secondary sexual characteristics?

Answer 6

Males:
voice deepens
chest and shoulders broaden
both sexes: growth of facial hair, pubic hair and armpit hair
Females:
breasts develop
hips widen

Question 7

What are hormones?

Answer 7

Hormones are chemical messengers that allow different parts of the individual’s body to communicate with each other.

They are a chemical substance that is produced in the body and transported into the bloodstream to stimulate specific cells into action.

Question 8

What is the name of the gland that releases hormones that starts puberty in males and females?

Answer 8

Pituitary gland (a tiny gland located in the brain)

Question 9

How does the pituitary gland start puberty in females?

Answer 9

By telling the ovaries to start releasing the hormone oestrogen.
Oestrogen is responsible for changes such as menstruation

Question 10

How does the pituitary gland start puberty in males?

Answer 10

By sending a message to the testes to produce the hormone testosterone.
Testosterone stimulates sperm production

Question 11

Give examples of some physical developments in early adulthood?

Answer 11

Reach your tallest height
Reaction times at their peak
Females at their most fertile
Hand-eye co-ordination at its peak
Reach full maturity
Motor abilities at their best
Strength is at peak

Question 12

Give examples of physical changes in pregnancy

Answer 12

Muscles and joints shift
Every organ in the body changes (as soon as pregnancy begins)
Body creates an antibacterial plug made of mucus on the cervix to keep germs away and stays put until labour
Relaxin hormone loosens hormones
Loose muscles at tops of stomach can cause acid reflux / indigestion
HCG hormone causes morning sickness
Decreased lung capacity but increase in breathing speed (can make you feel short of breath)
Blood volume increases by 50%
Heart has to work harder to pump all of the additional blood around the body and through the placenta
Heart rate overall increases compared to pre-pregnancy
Uterus can press on veins causing fluid to build up in the legs and feet (swelling)
Uterus shrinks back down to normal size in the weeks after birth

Question 13

What is the perimenopause?

Answer 13

The perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause that tends to occur when females are in their 40’s.

Question 14

When does the perimenopause end?

Answer 14

The perimenopause ends when a female has not had a period for 12 months or more.

Question 15

What triggers perimenopause?

Answer 15

Ovaries start to produce fewer eggs

Question 16

Signs and symptoms of perimenopause

Answer 16

Periods become irregular
mood changes (mood swings, anxiety, low self esteem)
problems with concentration or memory (brain fog)
hot flushes
difficulty sleeping
palpatations
headache / migraine
muscle and joint aches
change in body shape
weight gain
skin changes (dry and itchy skin)
reduced sex drive
vaginal dryness and pain
recurring urinary tract infections (UTI’s)

Question 17

What is lactation

Answer 17

The process of making and releasing human milk.
Human milk is secreted through your mammary glands, located in your breasts.

Question 18

When does lactation begin?

Answer 18

During pregnancy when hormones signal the mammary glands to start producing milk ready for the birth of the baby

Question 19

What is lactogenesis?

Answer 19

The process that triggers lactation

Question 20

What conditions can affect your ability to lactate?

Answer 20

hormone levels
medications
trauma to breast or nipple
breast surgeries
medical conditions like HIV
use of drugs and alcohol

Question 21

What is lactational amenorrhea

Answer 21

When you don’t have a period because you are lactating / breastfeeding.
Prolactin hormone impacts the hormones that normally trigger the release of an egg for a period

Question 22

What is colostrum?

Answer 22

The first milk created during lactation. It is thick and yellow and high in proteins, minerals, vitamins and antibodies

Question 23

Does lactation reduce the risk of disease (to the mother)

Answer 23

Studies show it can reduce risk of ovarian and breast cancers as well as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure