11UP Video Channel
Body Matters
 Click on any of the 11UP badges to see the appropriate BSL video clip.
All video is in QuickTime format and is best viewed over a broadband connection.
- E.g. 1 – When do I start Shaving?
- E.g. 2 – What is a penis used for ?
- E.g. 3 – When will I get pubic hair ?
- E.g. 4 – Why does my penis curve upwards when it is erect ?
- E.g. 5 – Why do I get erections at strange times ?
- E.g. 6 – What is the yellowy substance that collects around …?
- E.g. 7 – I am circumcised, does it make any difference ?
- E.g.1 – What is a period ?
- E.g. 2 – How long does a period last, and how often does it happen ?
- E.g. 3 – How much blood is there in a period ?
- E.g. 4 – What do I need to do when I get a period ?
- E.g. 5 – What can I do about all the body hair under my arms….. ?
- E.g. 6 – My breast are itching is that normal ?
- E.g. 7 – My breasts are smaller than everyone else’s. Why?
- Puberty Example 1
- Puberty Example 2
- Puberty Example 3
- Puberty Example 4
- Puberty Example 5
 Introduction
Hi welcome to 11up Body Matters section. We will be explaining about your body and the changes you will go through. There are also lots of examples of questions you might be thinking but are too embarrassed to ask
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Growing and changing
At the same time as things are changing inside your body it is likely that you will have changed schools and gone to a school that is much bigger and perhaps scarier than your primary school. You will have new teachers and you may have made new friends as well. Wherever you are and whatever the circumstances it will be helpful to know certain things about your body and relationships to help you understand some of the things that are likely to happen to you.
Find out more about the questions that young men and women often ask about the changes that are happening to them.
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Boys and young men
People think boys behave a certain way, they think they are tough, know everything, never get scared or show emotions. But all boys are different. Perhaps you have a question that you feel too embarrassed to ask? (this can lead to the q and a session on dicks etc I guess we could group nthem all together under a heading called ‘common questions’
E.g.1 - When do I start Shaving?
People grow facial hair at different rates. When you get facial hair and feel that you need to start shaving, try and find and adult you trust to show you how.
E.g. 2 – What is a penis used for?
The penis has two different jobs. One is urinating (peeing) and the other is sex. There is a muscle that closes the bladder when the penis is erect.
E.g. 3 – When will I get pubic hair?
Pubic hair grows at different times for different people. For some people it starts very early and for others later. Some people also get hair on their chest as well.
E.g. 4 – Why does my penis curve upwards when it is erect?
Normally the penis hangs down when it is not erect. But when it is erect it fills with blood and that's why it points upwards. Erect penises come in all shapes and sizes, some slant to the left, others to the right.
E.g. 5 – Why do I get erections at strange times?
When a boy begins puberty he will often get erections at all sorts of strange times and places. This tends to stop happening as much as you grow older. Try and think about something else like your favourite food and it should hopefully go away.
E.g. 6 – What is the yellowy substance that collects around the head of my penis, under my foreskin.?
It is called smegma and is completely normal. It does need to be washed regularly so that it does not begin to smell.
E.g. 7 – I am circumcised, does it make any difference?
Circumcision is when the foreskin is removed. This is often done for religious reasons and about half of all boys and men are circumcised. Being circumcised will not make any difference at all.top
Girls and young women
Many people think girls are expected to be caring and sharing, and very good at showing their emotions and supporting each other. They are also expected to look good and often feel under pressure to be thin and beautiful. Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes and it is important that you feel good about yourself. This can be difficult with lots of pressure and all of the changes that are happening to your body.
E.g.1 – What is a period?
A period is bleeding through a girl's or woman's vagina. Periods happen when a girl reaches puberty. When a girl is born there are thousands of eggs inside her ovaries. At the start of puberty one egg is released every month and travels along the fallopian tube to the womb. This is where a baby would grow if the egg was fertilised by a man. The body prepares itself for pregnancy each month by developing a thick, soft, spongy lining in the womb. If the egg is not fertilised the lining is no longer needed and both the egg and the lining disintegrate and pass through the vagina as a period.
E.g. 2 – How long does a period last, and how often does it happen?
Periods happen about once a month although they will not always be exactly a month, particularly when you first start getting periods. This is called the menstrual cycle. Periods normally last for about four or five days but some people only bleed for two days and other people have periods that last for over a week.
E.g. 3 – How much blood is there in a period?
Although it can look like a lot more, it is only about five teaspoons worth. It is normally a brownish, red colour.
E.g. 4 – What do I need to do when I get a period?
The first thing to do is to make sure you can talk to someone about periods. If you have already started you can get help and support if you need it, and if you have not already started you can get any questions answered.You can use either: Sanitary towels - which stick to the inside of your pants and soak up the blood as it leaves your body Tampons - which fit inside your vagina and soak up the blood before it leaves your body.If you are using a tampon and you feel two or more of these following symptoms you should stop using tampons and see a doctor right away: being sick, a rash, a sore throat, sudden fever or diarrhoea. There is no right method of sanitary protection, you need to work out which sort suits you best. In your school there should be someone you can talk to about periods and sanitary products.
E.g. 5 – What can I do about all the body hair under my arms?
Everyone gets body hair. Some hair is more noticeable than others. Dark hair tends to be more noticeable than light hair. Some people choose to shave it and others don't. If you are happy with it there is no need to do anything. If, however, it makes you feel unhappy or anxious you can use cream or shave. It can also be waxed or bleached.
E.g. 6 – My breast are itching is that normal?
This often happen when breasts are growing, it is normal. If you are worried you could see a doctor.
E.g. 7 – My breasts are smaller than everyone else’s. Why?
Like the rest of people's bodies breasts come in all shapes and sizes. Whatever shape or size your breasts are, it is fine. They are likely to develop and change while you are at secondary school.top
Puberty
Puberty is the part of growing up when our bodies and minds start to change from being children to being adults.
People's bodies change at different rates, some start early and develop quickly; others start late and develop slowly. For most people, puberty occurs between eight and 16, however some people begin puberty earlier and their bodies continue to change way past 17. Body changes are normal and many people feel worried that their body is not like everyone else's. Most people feel insecure or anxious that they are not normal. Whatever the rate of your body changes it is normal. But if you are worried then talk to an adult you trust so that they can reassure you or support you in getting help.
Many people feel self-conscious about the way they look as their bodies grow and change, and sometimes different parts of our body grow at different speeds so you may find that you trip over your feet, or your hips look too big for the rest of your body. Although this may make you feel anxious it is important to remember you are not alone.
Puberty Example 1
The thing I really wished for was that it would happen to everyone at the same time. I started my periods ages after everyone else and I thought there was something really wrong with me.
Puberty Example 2
I first noticed hair growing under my arms and my breasts began to get a bit bigger. I was one of the first of my friends to wear a bra. I think they were a bit envious. Then I had hair growing around my vagina. I felt OK about it although my younger brother's stupid comments made me feel a bit embarrassed.
Puberty Example 3
Hair started growing under my arms and around my penis which also started to get bigger. To begin with I used to get erections when I was least expecting it and I felt really embarrassed because I thought everyone would see.
Puberty Example 4
One of the difficult things for me was that my armpits started to smell. I didn't know 'til my older brother told me. My mum was always telling me to bath but I never took much notice. I now use a deodorant and the other kids don't make comments anymore.
Puberty Example 5
I first started my periods when I was 13 years old. I remember I was at school and although my mum had talked to me about them and we'd learnt about them in PSHE lessons at school, it was still a bit of a shock to find some blood in my knickers when I went to the toilet. I also got a bit of a tummy ache. I feel fine about it all now - it was a question of getting used to it. I started off using pads but now use tampons after the first day because the amount I bleed gets less after day one. My period lasts four days but one of my friends periods lasts five days. She always uses pads.
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