To put it more simple Sexual health means ability to express one’s sexual activity without causing yourself or anyone else suffering, physical or mental harm. One should be able to have an informed, enjoyable, and safe sex life, based on a positive approach to sexual expression and mutual respect. To have the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Aids, HIV, unwanted pregnancy, coercion, violence, and discrimination.

Discussion about sexual health may not be relevant or appropriate for every person but it is important to know for the physical health and general well being as they can disturb you life, work, future and relationships. Remember - contact your doctor or a family planning clinic if you are worried or unsure about anything

Puberty is the period of time when children begin to mature biologically, psychologically, socially and cognitively. Girls start to grow into women this usually starts between the age 9-14 and boys into men between the ages 10 and 14. The bodies take on a different shape that leads to adolescence. Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood.

Hormones cause these changes. The brain and pituitary glands releases chemicals called hormones that are responsible for different changes in the body and regulate the reproductive organs of both male and females.

One of the first signs of puberty is hair growth in different parts of the body, then the changes in overall shape of the body, Muscles develop, there will be change in height and weight, changes in voice and increase in body fat.

 Puberty and Periods:

When girls begin to go through puberty usually starting between the ages of 8 and 13, their bodies and minds change in many ways. The hormones in their bodies stimulate new physical development. About 1 1/2 to 2 years after a girl's breasts begin to develop, she will get her first menstrual period (known as menarche, pronounced: meh-nar-kee) when all her reproductive system has matured and is working together. Before that a girl may notice vaginal discharge that is common.

As a girl matures and enter puberty, the pituitary gland produces chemicals that stimulate an egg in the ovary to "mature" and produce hormones called estrogen and progesterone that have effects on a girl's body, including physical maturation, growth, emotions and help the girl's body to be ready for reproduction.

About once a month, this tiny maturing egg leaves one of the ovaries - in a process called ovulation - and travels down one of the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. In the days before ovulation, the uterus, stimulated by estrogen, begins to build up it’s lining with extra blood and tissue, making the walls of the uterus thick and cushioned. If the egg reaches the uterus and is fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the cushiony wall of the uterus, where it slowly develops into a baby.

During most of a female's monthly cycles, the egg isn't fertilized by sperm and does not attach to the wall of the uterus. The uterus sheds the extra tissue lining. The blood, tissue, and unfertilized egg leave the uterus, going through the vagina on the way out of the body. This is a menstrual period. This cycle will happen almost every month for several more decades - until a woman no longer releases eggs from her ovaries.

Girls are born with ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a uterus. The two ovaries are oval-shaped and sit on either side of the uterus in the lowest part of the abdomen called the pelvis. They contain thousands of eggs, or ova. The two fallopian tubes are long and stretch from an ovary to the uterus, a pear-shaped organ that sits in the middle of the pelvis. The uterus, or womb, can enlarge quite a bit if it later becomes the home for a developing baby.

There may be changes in a girl’s age to menstruate; in few it may be early around the age of 9 or 10, but others in their mid or late teens. Similar way the cycle also changes in few it is 28 days, while others might have a 21-day cycle, a 30-day cycle, or even a 45-day cycle. The amount of days a girl has a period also varies, few cases it may be 2 or 3 days, in others 6 to 7 days. There will also be a change in menstrual flow different from each girl, in few it may be light or normal and other it can be excessive. You should see your doctor if you find that you have unusual, absent, irregular or painful periods.

Irregular periods are common in girls in the beginning as the body need to make changes that can cause a girl to miss period the second month or have 2 periods in the same month this become regular after a few months period.

Some girls and women feel depressed or easily irritated during the first few days or weeks before their period. They get angry quickly and feel like crying and in few have cravings for certain foods. This physical or emotional change is known as Premenstrual syndrome.

This is due to the change in Hormones in the body. As hormone levels rise and fall during a woman's menstrual cycle, they can affect the way she feels, both mentally and physically. This goes away soon after the period begins but can come back every month.

Some girls have menstrual cramps, which are pretty common during the first few days of their period. Cramps are caused by prostaglandins, a chemical that causes the muscles of the uterus to contract. They may be dull and achy or sharp and intense. They try to disappear, as the girls get older. But if one cannot take the pain, it is better to take medication after consulting worth your doctor.

Another part of puberty is acne; the hormones that are present during puberty cause it. However they disappear, as they get older. But do not touch pinch or squeeze the pimple, as they will leave scars. Pimples will vanish in a week time if you do not try to irritate them. Apart from acne the puberty hormones affect the glands that are under your arms and cause you to have "body odor”. Take bath every day and use a light talcum powder in the areas where you sweat more.

Every parent should educate her child about puberty. Girls should know about the changes that will take place in their bodies and that it is normal and know how to handle situations when they are away from home. The mother or older sisters should talk to them, as she may feel shy when she notice changes in her body. Similarly, a mother, brother or father should talk to the boy who is seeing changes in life.