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Understanding your body top

Body Smartz! – Confused about puberty? Your questions can likely be answered on the Center for Disease Control’s BAM! Body and Mind Web site. Don’t forget to check out what acne looks like under a microscope and test your “smartz” about puberty with a fun quiz.
It’s a Noisy Planet – Between fireworks, rock concerts, and lawnmowers, there are a lot of reasons you need to protect your hearing. The games and activities on this site will show you how to keep your ears healthy.
Backpack Basics (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – If your backpack is leaving you with a sore back and aching shoulders, you should check out these tips to stop the pain.
Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy (Copyright © AAFP) – This guide for teens provides facts on different topics related to teen health. Learn how to take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health.
Puberty: What Is Normal? (Copyright © ASHA) – The American Social Health Association’s beginner’s guide to puberty has some handy tips on how to survive this period of your life.
What’s Happening to my Body? (Copyright © AAP) – A lot of changes happen between the ages of 8 and 13 that might leave you asking the question, “What’s happening to my body?” This fact sheet explains what you can expect and what these changes mean.
Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy – This list of questions and answers from the Academy of Family Physicians will tell you how to keep your body healthy and safe during your teenage years.

Getting your period top

Alternative Menstrual Products: A Guide for Teens (Copyright © CYWH) – This Web site has information about products to use during your period that save you money and help the environment. Some of the products it discusses are reusable cotton pads and the menstrual cup.
Puberty & Your Menstrual Cycle: A Guide for Teens (Copyright © CYWH) – This fact sheet describes the menstrual cycle (monthly period) and puberty, which is the stage when your body matures and changes to become capable of reproduction.
A Guide to Using Your First Tampon (Copyright © CYWH) – Using a tampon for the first time might seem difficult. The Center for Young Women’s Health solves the mystery by providing step-by-step instructions and diagrams.
Female Reproductive System (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Ever wonder where your period comes from? Or how to pronounce those scientific names for the female genitalia (jen-ih-tale-yuh)? Don’t miss this interesting Web page about the female reproductive system.
Irregular Periods (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – An irregular period is sometimes normal. Read this article to learn more about what can make your period irregular and when it might be a sign of a problem.
Especially for Teens: Menstruation (Copyright © ACOG) – Why do women menstruate? When will my period start? This brochure answers your questions about getting your period.
My Little Red Book (Copyright © Rachel Kauder Nalebuff) – Getting your first period can be exciting or scary! This Web page has stories from real girls about their first periods.
My Monthly Period and Symptom Tracker (Copyright © CYWH) – You can print out this chart, record your symptoms, and show your doctor.

Your reproductive health top

Teen Talk, Vol. 2: Commonly Asked Questions About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) (PDF - 204KB) – Want to learn more about STDs? This publication provides information on how STDs are spread, signs of STDs, the causes and signs of having an STD, as well as advice for prevention and facts to dispel myths.
Breast and Pelvic Exams (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Your first pelvic exam might sound scary and uncomfortable, but this publication explains what will happen when you go to the doctor and how to feel more relaxed during the exam.
Health Care for College Students (Copyright © AAP) (PDF - 244KB) – Starting college is exciting, but it also means you are more in charge of your health and well-being. Prepare yourself for this new responsibility by reading these tips your pediatrician wants you to know.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (Copyright © CYWH) – You may have heard about the HPV vaccine, but do you know what HPV is? It stands for human papillomavirus, and this Web site tells you all about it.
Your First Gynecologic Visit (Copyright © ACOG) – This brochure explains what happens at a typical visit to the gynecologist. It includes information about what you will be asked to do, what exams will be performed, what tools will be used, and more.

Getting enough sleep top

Awake at the Wheel (PDF - 196KB) – Sleep is more important than you may know. Learn the top 5 reasons teens need to get enough sleep, and find out what you can do to avoid drowsy driving.
Pillow Pitch – What’s the big deal about sleep? Even though it seems boring, there’s a lot going on while we sleep. BAM! fills us in on just what happens while we are sawing logs.
Back-to-School Sleep Tips (Copyright © The National Sleep Foundation) – Falling asleep in class? The National Sleep Foundation comes to the rescue with some great tips for getting some extra shuteye.

Looking and feeling your best top

The Environmental Protection Agency's SunWise Kids Program – Check out this cool program on sun protection from the EPA. Think you know everything there is to know about the UV index and the ozone layer? Take the EPA's challenge and find out!
Skin and Grooming (Copyright © Sutter Health Network) – Learn how to keep your body clean and healthy. This Web site answers all your questions about tanning, hair removal, acne, strange smells, and more!
How to Have a Good Hair Day: Taking Care of Your Hair (Copyright © iemily.com) – Think you are a hair-care buff? Not so fast! Some things we do to our hair to make it beautiful can actually harm our lovely locks.
Your Skin Explained – Take a look at this Web site to learn about your skin! It provides quick facts on the inner and outer layers of skin, as well as the life of the skin cell.
Body Piercing (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Nervous about going “under the needle?” This fact sheet has all the info you need about what you should expect when going to get a body piercing.
Tattoos (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – It might seem like everyone has a tattoo these days, but it’s a big commitment! Check out this Web page before you decide to get a tattoo – you might thank yourself later!

Fighting germs top

Fight Bac! Safe Food Handling – Right now, there may be an invisible enemy ready to strike. He's called BAC (bacteria) and he can make you and those you care about sick. Learn how to defend yourself!
The Buzz on Scuzz – When, where, and how do we prevent the spread of germs? The key is hand-washing. Also, learn how to prevent the spread of germs and fungus in the locker room at school (eeewwww!).
What Vaccines Do You Need? – Teens need certain vaccines to stay healthy and disease-free. Take this quiz to find out which vaccines you may need.
Scrubclub.org – Meet the Scrub Club as they battle Bac and his band of evil villains, including Influenza Enzo and Sal Monella. Learn how to wash your hands correctly, play games, watch Scrub Club episodes, and even download your official Scrub Club membership card!

Your sexuality top

Teen Talk, Vol. 1: Many Teens Are Saying "No." (PDF - 201KB) – This publication provides a checklist of questions to ask yourself about whether or not you are ready to have sex. It also provides information on relationships, the benefits of abstinence, and how to deal with the pressures that may surround you.
If You Think Saying “No” Is Tough, Just Wait ‘til You Say “Yes.” (PDF – 2.43MB) – There are a lot of things to consider when you start having sex. This brochure talks about a few of them, like love, pregnancy, and STDs.
What is Abstinence? (Copyright © Answer, Rutgers University) – What does abstinence mean to you? Why do some teens decide to be abstinent? This straightforward Web site tells it like it is.
Talking to Your Partner About STDs (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – If you and your partner have decided to have sex, you should talk about sexually transmitted infections first. It might sound awkward, but this fact sheet will help you through it with advice on how to prepare and what to say.
5 Myths About STDs (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Think you can tell if someone has an STD by looking? Think again. This fact sheet dispels all the common myths about STDs.
Sexual Attraction and Orientation (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Having sexual feelings is a normal part of growing up. People can be attracted to the opposite sex, the same sex, or both. This Web page talks all about sexual orientation.
Birth Control Methods: How Well Do They Work? (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Not all methods of birth control are created equal! This Web page tells you which methods work best and which are likely to fail.
Talking About Sex ... with Your Parents (Copyright © Planned Parenthood) – Parents can be a great source of information about sex, but they often don’t want to talk about it. Here’s some advice for getting your parents to open up.
How to Use a Condom (Copyright © ASHA) – Condoms only work if you use them the right way! Read up on the dos and don’ts of condoms on this Web page.
Sex: Making the Right Decision (Copyright © AAFP) – Don't assume that "everybody's doing it." You don’t have to start having sex until you’re good and ready. This Web site gives you the straight information about abstinence, the risks of sex, and how to know if you’re ready.
STIs: Learn How to Protect Yourself (Copyright © AAFP) – You can get a lot of different infections from having sex, but if you prepare yourself, you can reduce the chance of STIs. This fact sheet describes some common STIs and how to protect yourself from them.

Getting help with your health top

Question to Ask Your Doctor (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Your doctor is a great person to talk to if you have questions about your body. This site has a list of questions you can ask to ensure your privacy and to make sure you have all the facts.
Talking to Your Doctor (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Having a positive relationship with your doctor is very important. Remember, there are no stupid questions!
Health Insurance: Cracking the Code (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) – Understanding health insurance can be difficult. Here’s a list of terms that might come up.
Choosing a Primary Health Care Provider (PCP): A Guide for Teens (Copyright © CYWH) – This publication offers tips on how to find a primary health care provider that is right for you.
OPA Clearinghouse Family Planning Database: Locate A Clinic – Family planning clinics provide confidential STD testing, birth control, and other services, sometimes for free. You can find a clinic close to you by entering your ZIP code into this site.

Organizations top

new moon icon. = This article is from New Moon, a magazine written for girls by girls. Check out the complete list of the New Moon articles on GirlsHealth.gov.

= This article, publication, website, or organization is from the U.S. government.

= You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader® to view some of these files after you've downloaded them. If you have problems with PDF documents, please download the latest version of the Reader®.

Content last updated October 13, 2010

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health.

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