THE HYMEN
One other structure here is the hymen, which is talked about more often than it deserves. It serves no useful function and is merely a developmental remnant (a bit like the packing paper that comes with new goods from a factory). It is a thin, irregular-shaped membrane which covers the vaginal entrance either completely or, more likely, in an irregular and ragged manner. Generally it has one or several holes in it, so allowing menstrual blood to escape. Sometimes it may totally cover the entrance, so damming up menstrual blood, possibly for years.
Presence of an intact hymen is often considered to be a sign of virginity, but this is not reliable. Although intercourse usually tears the hymenoften causing bleeding, which at limes can be heavyit may simply stretch and remain the same. Today, with the universal use of tampons, it is quite possible for the hymen 10 be partially torn many years before intercourse.
The death-knell to an intact hymen is childbirth. The massive stretching that this entails forever tears the hymen to pieces. Often a few fragmentary lags are left; these are referred to by doctors as the curunculae myrtiformes.
Even in these modern days, some women and indeed some cultures place enormous importance on the intact hymen as an indication of virginity before marriage. Actually, if the doctor is attempting to decide if the girl is still a virgin, feeling for a firm ridge of hymenal tissue around the vaginal entry is far more accurate than visual inspection.
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Womens health
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PUBERTY
All of a sudden, strange things start to happen to our young Miss as she begins to grow up.
It can commence anywhere from nine years of age onwards. In recent years, for reasons unknown, it seems to be commencing at a younger and younger age in western lands. No doubt it is tied up with today's sophisticated way of living, earlier psychological development and earlier mental stimulation, all of which play a potent part. It is referred to as puberty.
Suddenly the system starts to develop potent chemicals, called sex hormones, and these have a rapid and far-reaching effect on many parts of the system.
Suddenly breast development commences. The unnoticed, flat, pinkish nipples become more marked, rounded and protrude as they rapidly increase in size. This is most noticeable between the ages of 8 and 15. Pubic hair commences to grow, this becoming obvious in the 8-14 age group at any time. Underarm hair also makes an appearance.
Menstrual periods make a tentative start, and anywhere from 10 to 161?2 years they will become more and more regular. There is usually a dramatic increase in height; this is called a 'height spurt' and takes place in the 9-141?2 age bracket.
The skinny, school-age child is transformed within a few short years into a modern young woman of vastly different appearance and shape. Most tend to put on weight, but there is an alteration of the system's fat deposits, giving the body the characteristic female curves which tend to remain for life. In brief, Nature has transformed her into an adult, with the physical and psychological issues that this involves.
But although the ages quoted are 'averages', the range is enormous and varied. Many develop sexually at an early age. Others are late developers, and often they may reach the age of 18 or 20 before some of the typical secondary sexual characteristics (as the doctors say) have appeared. This is especially so in regard to breast development.
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Womens health
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