There's so much going on with your body right now — the good, the bad and the ... gross! But how do you know what's normal and what's not? It's DOLLY to the rescue!
BODY ISSUE 1: There's hair there, there... and there!
It's not like you'll wake up one morning completely covered in hair (phew!), but once you hit puberty, you can expect hair to grow under your arms, around your pubic area, and even on your face, forearms, nipples and bum. At first, this hair might be light and fine, but eventually it'll become darker and coarser. There are heaps of safe ways to remove unwanted hair, but it's important to remember that it's normal to have it and you don't have to get rid of it. Kaz Cooke, author of teenage bible Girl Stuff, says: "You should leave your pubic hair alone, because a lot of girls end up with bad rashes and problems trying to remove it. You might think, 'That's really weird, and I look much weirder than anybody else.' But it's completely normal to have hair there, and guys are fine with it, too."
BODY ISSUE 2: Blown away
Like it or not, your mouth is home to heaps of bacteria. If you don't brush and floss your teeth, drink enough water, see a dentist annually, or you're a smoker, the bacteria can grow and let off stinky gases, which lead to — you guessed it — bad breath. Not sure if you're guilty? Lick the inside of your wrist and take a whiff. If it smells bad, then it's time to buy a new toothbrush, chug water and make some dietary changes. Your mouth isn't the only source of bad smells. If you've been overdoing the garlic, spicy food or high-fibre vegies, or feeling a bit anxious, your body has a way of letting you know. We're talking about farts here, people! While it's normal to let off 15 to 40 a day (seriously), if, *gasp*, you let one rip in public, Kaz says the only way to recover is to "laugh, be embarrassed and move on. Or say something like: 'This might be
a good time to move to Iceland!'"
BODY ISSUE 3: Eek, I'm leaking!
Ever stopped for a loo break and noticed a white or yellowish patch on your knickers? You're not the only one! Discharge (as this charming wet patch is known) is usually the sign of a healthy vagina. In fact, discharge is the vagina's way of cleaning itself, so it's super, super normal. You'll probably notice you get some discharge around the time you get your first period (although they won't happen at exactly the same time). It may have a mild smell, which isn't unpleasant, and can sometimes be heavier or lighter, depending on what time of the month it is. "Discharge is completely normal; it's part of the menstrual cycle, but girls can find these things really gross," Kaz says. "The first few times it happens, you can be completely fixated on it and think, 'Oh my God, everyone can tell!'" Which, of course, they can't (you're just gonna have to trust us on that).
BODY ISSUE 4: A spot of bother
If you have acne, zits, pimples, or whatever you want to call them, you're part of the majority. Yep, a whopping 85 per cent of Australians* have acne at some point in their lives. And before you ask, acne is not caused by eating chocolate. It's the result of a blockage in the oil (sebaceous) glands, which is more likely to happen when you're a teenager, thanks to those pesky hormones. The good news is, there are heaps of different skincare products on the market to help you control breakouts — but it's important to persevere with them. Kaz says: "A lot of girls buy pimple creams and don't use them properly. Then they get discouraged and stop. If you've been using skincare products the right way and you still have a really bad pimple problem, you should ask your GP to refer you to a dermatologist."
BODY ISSUE 5: Sniff, sniff... what the?!
Everyone sweats — it's your body's way of keeping cool, but, during puberty, it can feel like you have sweat glands popping up everywhere! Not only will you notice you're suddenly producing a lot more of your everyday, garden-variety sweat — it also smells. Eek! The reason? Hormones ... well, those and bacteria. When you hit puberty, your body releases hormones that affect the sweat glands found under the arms and around the groin. These glands are different to ordinary sweat glands because they produce sweat (mostly water and salt) and oils. The sweat from these glands doesn't actually smell — it's the bacteria that feed on it that does (kinda gross, but normal). The good news is, it's easy to prevent BO caused by a build-up of bacteria: shower daily using soap; wash your clothes after every wear; and use antiperspirant deodorant.
Not so normal
It's time to see a doctor, dentist or healthcare professional if ...
- You're sprouting too much hair, (especially on your face). This could be due to a hormone issue.
- No amount of brushing will get rid of your bad breath, or your farts could power a small town.
- You get major acne (not just a spot or two) that won't go away.
- Your discharge is thick, green or yellow, or smells different — it may mean you have an infection.
- You're sweating bucketloads.
Words: Melanie Crea
