Reproductive health education at puberty: Things to keep in mind

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Tran Lam Khoa - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Puberty (adolescence) is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood. Reproductive health care and education during puberty play an important role in ensuring the future career of each person as well as the quality of the population of the whole society.

Puberty – adolescence is the transitional period from childhood to adulthood. Adolescent age is 10-18 years old. During adolescence, under the physiological effects of hormones, a child's body will undergo a series of changes in shape, sex organs, psychophysiology, distinguishing male/female sexes and starting to change. head has sexual ability, fertility.
Adolescent reproductive health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being with all factors related to the structure and functioning of the reproductive apparatus in adolescence.

2.1 For girls In terms of time: Starting at 8-13 years old, averaging 15 years old and completing puberty by the time the child is 13-18 years old; In terms of physical development: changes in breasts (nipples are more prominent, areola and udder are formed, fully developed after 18 months); pelvic development (female pelvis is rounder and wider than male pelvis); femur, fatty tissues form curves; development of height, weight; genital development (vulva, vagina enlarge, uterus and ovaries develop); the ovaries begin to function with the appearance of menstruation; About physiological changes: the onset of menstruation. During the first year of menstruation, menstruation is irregular and the duration of menstruation also changes. 2.2 For boys In terms of time: Puberty begins when the child is 10-15 years old; About body change: broken voice; mustache appears and beard on the chin; development of height and weight; sebaceous and sweat glands develop, chest and shoulder bones develop; stronger muscles; left neck formation due to growth of thyroid cartilage; enlarged penis and testicles; Regarding physiological changes: active testicles produce male sex hormones and sperm; manifestation of ejaculation, the first time is dream semen.

With distinct physiological characteristics, adolescents easily change their personality and behavior as follows:
Independence: children tend to separate, less dependent on parents, move from daily activities family to friends to achieve independence. Sometimes, children show resistance to the views of their parents. Personality: tries to assert himself as an adult, acts imitating adults. Love: prepare for a love relationship, learn how to express and manage emotions, develop the ability to love and be loved, show intimacy in relationships with others. Integration: collect information from parents, school, friends, society,... to create self-worth, confidence and behavior. Intelligence: Adolescents often like to reason and see things from an idealized point of view.

Due to the above changes, minors are easily seduced, deceived, bribed, abused and easily imitated bad habits.
Common risks in children are:
4.1 Unprotected sex. Unintended early pregnancy, miscarriage, premature delivery, fetal toxicity, increased risk of maternal death; being a mother too young; the baby is born underweight, malnourished, gets sick or even dies; drop out of school midway, affecting the future; easily give rise to depression; suffer from social prejudice; economic burden when raising children; Abortion can lead to complications such as infection, uterine perforation, infertility, etc. Having sexually transmitted diseases and even HIV/AIDS. 4.2 Being easily enticed to use stimulants and addictive substances

During adolescence, children face many crisis and psychological problems. Although they are physically mature, adolescents still need help and education from families and schools to develop in the right direction.
Accordingly, families, schools and adolescents themselves need:
5.1 Life skills training Actively seek knowledge about sex and reproductive health in adolescence from parents, teachers, and caregivers. relatives and friends; Confiding worries and concerns with relatives or teachers; Maintain a suitable schedule of study, rest, exercise and recreation; Clearly distinguish between pure love and friendship. 5.2 Taking care of physical and psychological health

Children need to be provided with all the necessary nutrients in the diet including protein, vitamins, minerals, starch,... Need the attention, care and education of parents and relatives and teachers; Stay away from stimulants such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs,... Parents need to put themselves in their children's shoes and help them solve problems in life. Parents need to respect their children's decisions if appropriate. Parents also need to base themselves on the needs, interests and abilities of minors to guide appropriate careers. 5.3 Adolescent reproductive health care Female children need to know how to clean their menstrual period, go to a doctor if they still have not had a period until 15-16 years of age, and supplement iron tablets as prescribed by a doctor to prevent deficiency. blood due to iron deficiency. Boys must know how to detect abnormalities in their genital organs (foreskin narrowing, undescended testicles, abnormal position of the urinary opening) for timely examination; do not wear tight underwear, too tight. Stay away from obscene, pornographic images, movies, and websites. Do not have sex before adulthood. If having sex, practice safe sex: be faithful, use condoms correctly every time you have sex to avoid unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and especially HIV/AIDS. Puberty-adolescence is an intermediate stage of transition from childhood to adulthood in children. Parents need to pay special attention to taking care of their children's psycho-physiological health at this stage so that they can have a solid stepping stone for adulthood.