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Check for lumps and bumps.

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Check for lumps and bumps

What are breasts?

Breasts, or 'boobs', sit on women's chests and are made up of fatty tissue and milk glands. In females, breasts produce milk when a baby is born containing all the right nutrients they need.

Males have breast tissue as well. So while you may think this section is only for females, it's important that everyone knows their own body too and checks for lumps, bumps and changes.

Why is it important to check my breasts?

Checking your breasts at least once a month, at the same time each month, and looking at them in the mirror is important so you can get to know what's normal for you. It will help you identify if there's anything different to how your breasts usually look or feel.

Warning signs to look out for......

Changes in the look or feel of the skin

Changes in the shape of your breast, such as indents and pulling

Any new lumps, it's important to check your armpits as well as your breasts because lumps can appear there too.

Discharge from the nipple (may be bloodstained)

Changes in the nipple

Any red areas or rashes

Dimpling of the skin

If you have any of the signs above, book an appointment to see your GP and get them checked out. Most lumps and changes are nothing to be worried about but getting them checked early is important just in case they are a sign of breast cancer.
For more information on warning signs, take a look at the CoppaFeel website.
How common is breast cancer?

In the UK breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for females. Most people think breast cancer occurs in people over the age of 50 but this is not true. Younger people can get breast cancer too.

Breast cancer affects in 1 in 8 females during their lifetime. That's why it's so important to check your breasts monthly so you spot any early warning signs. Breast cancer is curable if caught and treated early enough so check those breasts!

How to get help

Worried about a breast changes and want to talk to someone? Don't panic, make an appointment to see your family doctor.

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

take action

There are also around 350-400 cases of breast cancer in the UK which occur in males. It's just as important for males to check their breasts as females.

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Regularly checking your breasts is so important. Find out why and the warning signs to look out for in regards to breast cancer here.

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Periods, also known as menstruation, are a normal part of growing up for all females.

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Periods, also known as menstruation, are a normal part of growing up for all girls.

Periods are part of the menstrual cycle where you will bleed from your vagina for a few days.

During puberty, your female reproductive organs start to develop. Each month, these hormones cause an egg to mature and be released from your ovaries.

In case the egg is fertilised by a sperm, the lining of your uterus becomes thick and soft with blood and tissue. If the egg isn't fertilised, this lining of the uterus isn't needed so comes away and is released from the body through your vagina.

This is your period.

Girls usually have their first period between the ages of 9 and 14. They will probably be irregular at first, but will settle into a pattern every few months.

If you haven't started your period by the age of 16, talk to your GP.

Most girls will have their period every 28 days or so. The menstrual cycle normally lasts about 28 days, which means there are 28 days between the start of your last period and the start of your next period. It's very common for periods to be more or less frequent than this though.

Your period can last between three and eight days, usually lasting for about five days. The bleeding will be heaviest in the first couple of days before it starts to slow down towards the end of your period.

Sanitary products are used to soak up and collect the blood you release during your period. The three main types of sanitary product are:

Sanitary pads - these strips of padding have one side that is sticky that you attach to your underwear and another side that is absorbent to soak up the blood. They are available in different sizes to suit how heavy or light your period is.

Tampons - these are small tubes of cotton wool that you insert into your vagina to soak up the blood. All tampons come with instructions on how to use them as you shouldn't be able to feel it if inserted correctly.

Menstrual cups - these are cups made from silicone which you put inside your vagina to collect the blood, rather than absorb it. After your period, you can wash a menstrual cup and use it again, unlike sanitary pads and tampons.

how to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

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Periods: Just the facts | Health For Teens

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Find out more about periods, including why you have them, what they are, when they might start for you and much more.

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Periods are part of the menstrual cycle.

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Autism and menstruation | Autism | Health for Teens

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Discover more about your menstrual cycle, periods and how this could affect you if you are someone with autism.

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Why checking your testicles is necessary.

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Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999

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Why checking your testicles is necessary

What are testicles?

All males have testicles which sit either side of the penis. The testicles are oval in shape and are part of the male sex organs. Testicles produce sperm which plays a huge part in human reproduction. Testicles also produce the male hormone testosterone which is important in puberty.

Why is it important to check my testicles?

Testicles are oval in shape but vary in size from person to person. The scrotum holds both testicles. It's important to check your testicles monthly so that you can spot any changes in your body.

Warning signs to look out for....

Lump or swelling in one of the testicles

A dull ache in the scrotum

A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

If you are experiencing any of these things book an appointment to see your GP and get them checked out. Most lumps and changes are nothing to worry about, but it's important to know your own body, and to get any changes checked straight away.

If you are experiencing severe pain or swelling, it's important to access emergency medical care.

Did you know around 2,300 males are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year in the UK?

How common is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer tends to affect younger males between the ages of 15-49 years old.

The number of cases of testicular cancer have doubled in the UK each year since the mid-1970s. The reasons for this are unclear.

How to get help

Worried about a lump and want to talk to someone? Don't panic, make an appointment to see your family doctor.

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

Find help in your local area

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Regularly checking your testicles is so important. Find out why and the warning signs to look out for in regards to testicular cancer here.

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Here are some common words and phrases linked to menstruation (periods).

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Below are some common words and phrases linked to menstruation (periods).

The regular monthly cycle where you will bleed from your vagina for a few days.

Other words that may be used to describe this include:

Throbbing or cramping pain in the lower stomach brought on by your period.

This pain can be mildly uncomfortable to very severe.

The name for the symptoms individuals can experience in the weeks before their period.

Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome include mood swings, tiredness, tummy pain, headaches, and spotty skin.

Puberty is when your body begins to develop and change as you become an adult.

The term for products used by individuals in and around their vagina during menstruation.

This is underwear that can be worn during menstruation instead of, or along with other menstrual products.

They are designed to absorb blood and are washable after wearing.

A product of soft material inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood.

They are sometimes referred to by their brand names, such as Tampax.

Find help in your local area

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Find out what services are available to you in your area. Remember your school nurse is always there to give you confidential help and support.

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Menstruation: A Glossary | Puberty | Health for Teens

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Discover some of the words commonly used when talking about menstruation (periods) to help you understand them.

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Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the womb grow in other areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the bowel. It can affect individuals of any age who have a menstrual cycle and the cause is not known.

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Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the womb grow in other areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the bowel. It can affect individuals of any age who have a menstrual cycle and the cause is not known.

Every month these cells react to the hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle in the same way as cells in the womb, causing them to break down and bleed.

Unlike the cells in the lining in the womb which would leave as a period, these cells have no way to leave the body. This can cause pain and inflammation.

Symptoms of endometriosis

Some people are badly affected by endometriosis, whereas others may not have any noticeable symptoms at all. You should speak to a GP if you have symptoms of endometriosis. These can include:

pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain) - usually worse during your period

period pain that stops you doing your normal activities

pain during or after sex

pain when peeing or pooing during your period

feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee during your period

fertility could be affected longer term

You may also have heavy periods. You might use lots of pads or tampons, or you may bleed through your clothes.

Treatment and support

There is no cure for endometriosis, but a pharmacist or doctor might recommend treatments to improve your symptoms. Such as:

Over the counter painkillers eg. paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken, if the pain doesn't resolve a GP may be able to prescribe something stronger

Hormone medicines and contraceptives

Surgery to the areas affected by endometriosis

If you're finding endometriosis difficult to deal with, support groups such as Endometriosis UK are available. They have an online community for those affected by the condition, and a helpline you can call on 0808 808 2227.

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

Find help in your local area

Find help in your local area

Find out what services are available to you in your area. Remember your school nurse is always there to give you confidential help and support.

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Endometriosis: Just the facts | Health For Teens

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Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the womb grow in other areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the bowel.

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7 Changes Everyone Will Experience Through Puberty

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7 Changes Everyone Will Experience Through Puberty

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Puberty happens to everyone – it’s a part of growing up.

Here are some changes that everyone will experience.

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7 Changes Everyone Will Experience Through Puberty | Health For Teens

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There are certain changes that everyone, both boys and girls, will go through during puberty. Find out what those changes are here.

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4 Puberty Changes Only Females Experience

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4 Puberty Changes Only Females Experience

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Oestrogen and progesterone are the two main hormones responsible for the changes in females.

Here are some of the changes you can expect to experience as you go through puberty.

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Oestrogen and progesterone are the two main hormones responsible for the changes in females.

Here are some of the changes you can expect to experience as you go through puberty.

As your body grows, your hips widen should you decide you want to have a baby in the future.

The oestrogen your body is producing causes your breasts to grow. You might feel itchy or uncomfortable when this happens, but it's completely normal.

Your vagina and vulva will grow bigger, and you'll start to produce a clear or white liquid (vaginal discharge) - this is normal and is how your vagina keeps clean and healthy.

If the discharge is yellow, smells or your vagina feels itchy, you should see your doctor as you might have an infection. If you notice more discharge, it might be a sign that your period is going to start soon.

Your periods will start at some point during puberty. You might get tummy pains (also known as period pains) in the lead-up to your period and during it too.

Period pains can usually be treated at home, and you shouldn't need to take time off school. Having a warm bath or shower, or placing a covered hot water bottle on your tummy, can also help.

You may not feel like exercising when you have period pains, but gentle exercise can actually help, so maybe try going for a walk.

how to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

Find help in your local area

Find help in your local area

Find out what services are available to you in your area. Remember your school nurse is always there to give you confidential help and support.

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4 Puberty Changes Only Females Experience | Health For Teens

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While we all experience puberty, there are certain changes than only girls will go through. Let's look at those in more detail here.

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7 Puberty Changes Only Boys Will Experience

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7 Puberty Changes Only Boys Will Experience

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Testosterone is the main hormone responsible for the changes in males.

It's completely normal for you to experience puberty at any point between the ages of 8 and 14, and these are some of the changes you may notice.

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7 Puberty Changes Only Males Experience | Health For Teens

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While there are changes every young person experiences during puberty, there are certain things only boys will go through.

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A General Practitioner (GP) is a doctor who has extra training to work in the community, dealing with all kinds of health problems. You can speak to a GP about anything to do with your physical or mental health.

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What is a GP?

A General Practitioner (GP) is a doctor who has extra training to work in the community, dealing with all kinds of health problems. You can speak to a GP about anything to do with your physical or mental health.

How to register at a GP surgery

If you're 16 or over, you can sign up to a GP surgery without the help of a parent or carer. If you're under 16, a parent or carer might need to fill out a registration form on your behalf.

Everyone has the right to register with a GP practice of their choice, and you don't have to sign up to the same GP practice as your family members if you don't want to.

However, a GP practice may be unable to register you if:

They are not taking on new patients

You do not live within its practice boundaries

You can find the GP surgeries closest to where you live here.
To register, you might need to fill in a form and provide some proof of your identity and address, such as a passport and a letter addressed to you. GP surgeries can have different registration processes, so call them or visit their reception to find out what information they need from you.

Booking an appointment

You can book your own GP appointment at any age. All surgeries have different systems for booking appointments.

To book an appointment, you'll need to contact your GP surgery and arrange an appointment. You might be asked about the reason for your appointment, this is just to make sure you receive the right care. You don't have to tell them if you don't want to, just say it's personal.

You can also request to see a male or female GP if you have a preference.

Doctors and all other GP staff are required to keep any information about you confidential, this means that they can't tell anyone anything relating to your appointments or medical history.

Speaking to a GP

You can visit or speak to a GP at any age, and you don't always have to bring a parent or carer if you don't want to. Although if you are under the age of 16, a doctor may need consent from a parent or carer to commence certain treatments such as prescribed medication.

People over the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment, this means that they can make decisions about their own healthcare.
Read more about consenting to treatment here.
A doctor or nurse might ask you if you want a chaperone, this is someone who can sit in the room with you to make you feel more comfortable. You can request a chaperone when you book your appointment too.

GP's may ask you a range of questions about your problem, this is just so that they can find out more about what you've been experiencing and think about how they can help.

You can ask a GP any questions during your appointment as well, if you're worried that you might forget something, try making a list beforehand.

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

Find help in your local area

Find help in your local area

Find out what services are available to you in your area. Remember your school nurse is always there to give you confidential help and support.

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You can speak to a GP about anything to do with your physical or mental health. Read more about how to book an appointment here.

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Young people in Nottinghamshire can get advice and support via the confidential ChatHealth text messaging service.

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Text messaging support | Health for Teens | Nottinghamshire

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Young people in Nottinghamshire returning to education this autumn are being advised that advice and support is available via the ChatHealth text messaging service.