Teenage Health
Skin
Acne is a common presentation in teenagers due to the onset of puberty, fluctuating hormones & dietary factors.
Acne is caused by the overgrowth of bacteria or fungal yeast on the skin. There are several different types of acne:
Bacterial Acne
Bacterial acne is caused by blockages of sebaceous units in the skin which can be attributed to production of thick sebum, skill- cell production dysfunction and an imbalance in the acidity levels of the skin that naturally protect against bacterial overgrowth.
Fungal Acne
Fungal acne is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin that leads to infection of the sebaceous units. Factors such as heat, humidity, poor immune function, poor diet and recurrent antibiotic use can increase the risk of fungal acne.
What Your Acne Might Be Telling You
• Acne under the jaw, neck & chest - sluggish lymphatic system & issues with detoxification
• Acne on the jawline, chest & back - driven by hormonal imbalance, or fungal acne
• Acne around the mouth & chin - food sensitivities, hormonal imbalance or gut issues
• Acne on the forehead - digestive issues
• Acne on the cheeks - allergies that may be contributing to inflammation
Menstrual Care
Preparing For Your First Period
Any new experience can be daunting, particularly when you’re unsure what to expect! A small amount of preparation can help to ease any doubts or anxiety you might have around getting your period for the first time.
What to expect:
• Finding red, brown or pink blood in your underwear
• Feeling tender or a cramping sensation in your lower abdomen
• Feeling fatigued or more emotional in the lead up to your first period
How to prepare:
• Chat to a friend, family member or someone you trust about what to expect, and any questions you might have
• Choose a period product you feel comfortable using (eg. pads, tampons, period underwear, menstrual cup) and familiarise yourself with how to use your chosen product
• Pack some extra period products and spare underwear in your bag in case your period arrives while you are out of the house
When you period arrives:
• Celebrate this milestone!
• Change your sanitary items regularly to ensure proper hygiene
• Use a hot water bottle to help ease any cramps
• Listen to your body and let it guide you in terms of the type of exercise & social activities you feel up to
• Nourish your body by choosing nutrient dense foods such as good quality protein, dark leafy green vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts & seeds and good quality fats such as avocado and olive oil
• Download a period tracking app so that you can easily keep track of when your period is due, and what symptoms you experience
Sanitary Products - Which Product Is Right For Me?
• Pads & liners - pads have an adhesive side that stick to your underwear and absorb any blood lost during a period. Pads are available in different sizes, with different levels of absorbency to suit your flow. Pads can be worn for up to 8 hours (depending on your flow) before they need to be changed. Liners are similar to pads, although they are much thinner and therefore absorb less liquid. Liners can be useful for those with a lighter flow, or at the beginning or end of your period when blood flow lightens
• Tampons - tampons are inserted into the vagina to absorb your period blood. Tampons are available in different sizes, with different levels of absorbency to suit your flow. Many people like to wear tampons as they can be worn while swimming, and may feel more comfortable than a pad. It is important to change your tampon every 4-6 hours (maximum 8 hours) to avoid toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
• Menstrual cups - menstrual cups are inserted into the vagina, much like a tampon, however instead of absorbing any period blood a menstrual cup will collect the blood directly from the cervix. When inserted correctly, a seal is formed meaning that no fluid will leak. A menstrual cup generally holds 2-4 tampons worth of blood and can be worn for up to 8 hours (depending on your flow). A menstrual cup is also reusable, therefore can be a cost effective & sustainable option
• Period underwear - period briefs are a reusable option that absorb period blood without the need for pads or tampons. Period underwear contain an absorbent section, which works like having underwear with an inbuilt pad. Period underwear can hold 2-4 tampons worth of blood, and can be worn for longer than a pad or tampon. Period underwear are also reusable, therefore can be a cost effective & sustainable option. Period underwear need to be washed after each use, therefore may not be suitable if they need to be changed in public bathrooms or at school
Heavy flow:
• Period underwear
• Super tampon
• Menstrual cup
• Super pad
Medium flow:
• Period underwear
• Regular tampon
• Menstrual cup
• Regular pad
Light flow:
• Period underwear
• Mini tampon
• Menstrual cup
• Liner
Contraception
Contraception can be defined as the use of medicine, devices or surgery to prevent pregnancy. When it comes to contraception, there are several options:
• Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) - suppresses ovulation and thins endometrial lining, preventing implantation and alters sperm motility by thickening cervical mucous
• Mirena IUD - thins the endometrial lining which prevents implantation. It also thickens cervical mucus making it inhospitable to sperm
• Copper IUD - the presence of copper inhibits sperm mobility and makes the endometrium inhospitable to sperm
• Implanon - thins the endometrial lining which prevents implantation. It also thickens cervical mucus making it inhospitable to sperm
• Diaphragm - non-hormonal barrier method of contraception that is fitted into the vagina and covers the cervix, preventing sperm from meeting and fertilising an egg
• Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) - a non-hormonal method of tracking your cycle, cervical mucous and basal body temperature to identify your fertile window
Fertility Awareness Method (FAM):
Involves tracking your cervical mucous, basal body temperature and optionally your cervical position to identify the fertile window in your cycle, to either prevent or plan a pregnancy. Fertility Awareness Methods allow women to accurately identify their fertile window by tracking primary fertility biomarkers such as cervical mucous, basal body temperature and urinary hormone levels.
The FAM comes with no side effects and allows for deeper connection with a woman’s cycle which can give an individual valuable information about their overall health and fertility.
Cervical Mucous:
Cervical mucous is produced by the glands of the cervix and the amount and consistency changes throughout the different stages of the menstrual cycle due to the effect of fluctuating hormones.
Preovulatory - a small rise in oestrogen drives production of pre-ovulatory mucous. The fibres act like a filter, catching abnormal sperm. You are likely to see this 3-4 days pre ovulation. There is therefore a moderate risk with unprotected intercourse.
Ovulatory fluid - the highest production of cervical mucous is at the time of ovulation. The consistency resembles that of an egg white - stretchy and slippery with aligned fibres to facilitate sperm movement. This is the peak of the fertile window, and this type of mucous is likely to be seen in the 24 hours prior to ovulation
Post ovulatory - there is decreased production and a thicker consistency to cervical mucus post ovulation. This mucous feels thicker and sticky, and fibres have no pattern meaning they act as a barrier to sperm. It is likely to see this around 24 hours after ovulation for a few days.
When tracking your menstrual cycle, changes in cervical mucous are a good indicator of your fertile window, which is helpful in timing conception or avoiding pregnancy.