Puberty is that time in life when kids' bodies change and become more like grownups'. So it's no surprise that kids have LOTS of "personal questions" about these changes.

Can I go swimming when I have my period?

Yes, but a pad won't work underwater, so you need to wear a tampon. Tampons absorb the menstrual flow from the inside, so being in water won't affect them.

If you've never worn a tampon before, you may want to talk with your mom or another woman you trust. You may want to get the slim-fit type, read the directions first, and leave some extra time to get it properly in place.

Can bras cause cancer?

Bras do not cause breast cancer. Breast cancer happens when there's a problem with the way cells grow inside the body and no one knows exactly why it happens. The chance of getting breast cancer increases as a woman gets older or if other women in the family have had breast cancer.

Some things may protect a woman from getting breast cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and breastfeeding her children.

Do I have to change my pad overnight?

It all depends on your flow, but if you put on a fresh pad at bedtime, you probably will be OK until morning. For one thing, you're lying down so gravity is on your side! Because it's best to change tampons every few hours, choose pads instead of tampons for overnight wear. Special overnight pads are available, too, if you want something that will be absorbent enough to get you through until the morning.

Do tampons hurt?

Lots of girls ask this question because it does seem weird to insert something into your body. The first step is to understand what's going on down there. Menstrual flow comes out of the vagina. The vagina is an opening that continues inside your body like a tunnel.

For most girls, inserting a tampon doesn't hurt. (The vagina is also the birth canal, so if it can stretch to fit a whole baby, it can fit a tampon!) But if the tampon does hurt, stop, and do not force it in. In some girls, the hymen (a little piece of tissue across the vagina) prevents easy insertion of the tampon.

If you're using tampons for the first time, try a slim-fit one. Your menstrual flow should make it easier to insert because it moistens the vagina and helps the tampon slip into place.

How Does a Tampon Work?

Unlike pads, which catch blood after it comes out of the vagina, a tampon is inserted in the vagina. It's made of soft material with a string for easy removal. The opening to the vagina is between the urethra (where pee comes out) and the anus (where poop comes out).

It may take a little time to get the hang of using tampons. Tampon applicators can be plastic or cardboard, and you can use whichever one you like better. Inside each box, there's an instruction booklet that will tell you how to insert a tampon.

Tampons come in different absorbencies. Try starting with regular and then switching if you need to. You should change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours or when it's saturated with blood.

If a tampon ever does feel "stuck," it's only temporary. It can't get lost inside you because there's no way out except through the vagina. Relax and wait a few minutes, and then you should be able to get the tampon out.

I feel embarrassed when I have my period at school. When I'm in the bathroom, I think everyone can hear me opening the pad to put it on. What should I do?

It's common to feel self-conscious about your period at first, but lots of girls are making those crinkling sounds in the bathroom. When things are new you notice them more, but it's unlikely anyone else is listening intently to whatever you're doing on the other side of the bathroom stall.

So do what you need to do and get to class. And on the bright side, remember that lots of other sounds going on in the bathroom are more embarrassing than the rustle of your pad wrapper!

I have hair on the nipples of my breasts. Is that normal?

It's possible and normal to have hair almost anywhere on the body, so a few hairs on your nipples are nothing to worry about. If you have questions about whether your body hair is normal, you can ask your doctor, too. And be sure to tell your doctor if you sprout dark hair in the middle of your chest or other places, such as your face.

Here are two places you won't grow hair the palms of your hands and soles of your feet!

I heard that some bras make your breasts stop growing. Is that true?

Bras shape and position your breasts, but they don't make them grow or stop growing. When girls begin puberty, their breasts start growing. A bra can help a girl feel more comfortable with these two new body parts. Some girls might prefer a tank that has a shelf bra inside, while others might want a traditional bra. The kind of bra  or the decision to wear no bra at all won't affect breast size.

My mom isn't around. How can I talk to my dad about periods and other girl stuff?

You'll be happy to hear that we have gotten similar questions from dads who are nervous about talking to their daughters! Chances are your dad knows that you might have questions and concerns about body changes.

As for how to start the conversation, the first step is finding a good time. If you have brothers and sisters, you might want to find a few minutes when you can talk to your dad alone. Then it might be as simple as saying, "Dad, I need to buy some supplies at the store because I might get my period soon."

You both might be a little embarrassed, but also relieved because you will have raised the topic at last. It should get easier from there. For instance, your supplies will become just regular items on the shopping list. You also might suggest that your dad buy you a book about puberty. You also can find these at the library.

Funny as it might sound, dads do know what periods are! But if you have questions you'd rather ask a girl, consider talking to girls or women you are close to, such as an aunt, grandmother, or older cousin.

Do I have to wear a bra at night?

There's no need to wear a bra at night. Most girls and women take them off to sleep. But wearing one at night won't hurt you or change the way your breasts will grow.

What if one of my breasts is bigger than the other?

When breasts are growing, they change shape and size until they're fully developed. Along the way, one breast may be bigger than the other. Of course, a girl would rather them both be the same size. If this happens to you, stay calm:

No. 1: You are probably the only one who has noticed.
No. 2: Your breasts are likely to even out as you develop.
And No. 3: If you still notice a difference after your breasts have fully developed, you can use a bit of padding in one bra cup to balance things out.


Why don't any boys like me?

It's normal for you to want to be liked by boys as you get older, especially if your friends have official boyfriends and you don't. To answer the question, there's no way of knowing for sure that a boy doesn't like you right now. Someone might like you and just be too shy to say anything. Or maybe a boy that you consider a friend likes you, but you never thought of him that way.

The middle school years are a funny time for romance. Some kids are thinking a lot about the people they like, but other kids aren't too interested yet in having a girlfriend or boyfriend. Some girls or boys start to "go out" with someone and then say to themselves, "Oh, my. This is too weird!"

Chances are excellent that a boy will like you someday, and hopefully he will be brave enough to say so. Until then, enjoy your friends who are boys and think about the qualities you like in a boy. Do you like boys who are funny, smart, or athletic? Or maybe all three?