Girls’ Health: Growing Up & Body Basics

Girls’ health (teen and adolescent health) covers puberty, periods, hygiene, nutrition, sleep, mental wellness, safety, and reproductive health.
It also includes prevention and early care for common conditions that affect teen girls, like acne, anemia, anxiety, depression, migraines, asthma, and more.

Puberty & body changes (government/medical library):
MedlinePlus – Puberty
NIH (NICHD) – Puberty

Periods & Menstrual Health

Periods are a normal part of puberty for many girls. What matters is knowing what’s normal for you, what’s not, and when to get help.
Heavy bleeding, severe pain, missed periods, or dizziness can be signs to check in with a clinician.

Normal: Periods that come in a pattern that becomes more predictable over time.
Concerning: Soaking through pads/tampons very fast, fainting, severe pain that stops school life, or bleeding between periods.

Trusted government resources:
Office on Women’s Health – Menstrual Cycle
MedlinePlus – Menstruation
Office on Women’s Health – PMS

Sexual & Reproductive Health (Teen-Safe, Fact-Based)

Sexual and reproductive health includes your body, boundaries, protection, STI prevention/testing, and pregnancy prevention.
Being informed is not the same as being “ready.” Knowledge helps you stay safe, set limits, and make smart choices.

Core Government Resources

HPV vaccine (prevents cancers later):
CDC – HPV
CDC – HPV Vaccine Resources

Reproductive anatomy (diagram):
CDC – Female Reproductive System Diagram

Mental Health, Stress, and Big Emotions

Mental health is part of total health. Stress, anxiety, mood changes, and burnout can show up as sleep problems, stomach issues, headaches,
irritability, or losing interest in things you used to enjoy.

Trusted resources:
SAMHSA – Mental Health
MedlinePlus – Mental Health
Office on Women’s Health – Mental Health

If you need immediate emotional support (U.S.):
Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or chat at
988lifeline.org.

Nutrition, Activity, Sleep, and Energy

Your body is building bone strength, brain connections, and hormones during the teen years. That means food, sleep, hydration, and movement matter a lot.
If you feel constantly exhausted, dizzy, short of breath, or weak, ask about common causes like anemia, thyroid issues, or sleep problems.

Trusted resources:
USDA – MyPlate (nutrition guidance)
CDC – Physical Activity
CDC – Sleep and Sleep Disorders
MedlinePlus – Nutrition
Office on Women’s Health – Healthy Weight

Safety, Consent, and Healthy Relationships

Your health includes safety at home, at school, online, and in relationships.
Everyone deserves respect, boundaries, and support. If someone hurts you, pressures you, or threatens you, it is not your fault.

Government resources:
Office on Women’s Health – Relationships & Safety
CDC – Violence Prevention
U.S. DOJ – Office on Violence Against Women

Checkups, Vaccines, and Preventive Care

Preventive care means checking in before there’s a big problem. For teen girls, this often includes general wellness visits,
vaccines, mental health screening, and sexual health services if you are sexually active.

Vaccines and schedules:
CDC – Immunization Schedules
CDC – HPV (and HPV vaccine info)

School & adolescent health supports (government):
CDC – Healthy Youth (Adolescent & School Health)

Find Care, Clinics, and Confidential Help

Many teens can access certain health services confidentially depending on state laws and clinic policies.
If you’re unsure, you can ask the clinic: “What can be confidential for teens in my state?”

Find low-cost care:
HRSA – Find a Health Center
MedlinePlus – Choosing a Health Care Provider
ClinicalTrials.gov – Research Studies (optional)

Government Health Libraries (Great for “any topic” searches)

Girls’ Health Quiz (40 Questions + Answers)

Use these to test your knowledge (or for a TeenThreads learning activity). Each answer is short and practical.

Q: What is puberty?
A: A stage where the body develops into physical maturity and reproductive capability.
Q: What is one common early sign of puberty in many girls?
A: Breast development.
Q: Are periods “dirty” or something to be ashamed of?
A: No. Periods are a normal body process.
Q: What does “PMS” stand for?
A: Premenstrual syndrome.
Q: What is a good first step if period pain stops you from school often?
A: Tell a trusted adult and schedule a medical check-in.
Q: What does “STI” mean?
A: Sexually transmitted infection.
Q: Can someone have an STI without symptoms?
A: Yes, many STIs can be “silent.”
Q: What does the HPV vaccine help prevent later in life?
A: Certain cancers caused by HPV.
Q: Who can ask questions at a doctor visit?
A: You can. It’s your body and your health.
Q: What is “consent”?
A: A clear, willing “yes” that can be changed at any time.
Q: If someone pressures you after you say “no,” is that healthy?
A: No. Pressure is not respect.
Q: What is one reason teens feel sleepy even with “enough” time in bed?
A: Teen body clocks naturally shift later.
Q: What is one benefit of breakfast for teens?
A: Better focus and steadier energy.
Q: Is fainting during a period “always normal”?
A: No. It needs a medical check, especially if it repeats.
Q: What is anemia (simple)?
A: Not enough healthy red blood cells/hemoglobin to carry oxygen well.
Q: Name one sign that stress is affecting your body.
A: Headaches, stomach pain, sleep problems, or constant irritability.
Q: Does mental health count as health?
A: Yes. It’s part of total wellness.
Q: What is a “wellness visit”?
A: A preventive checkup to support health before problems grow.
Q: What is one reason to get a vaccine on schedule?
A: It protects you from infections that can cause serious illness.
Q: If you don’t like your body some days, does that mean you’re broken?
A: No. Body image struggles are common and can improve with support.
Q: What is a “balanced meal” (basic idea)?
A: A mix of protein, fiber-rich carbs, healthy fats, and fruits/veggies.
Q: What is one safe way to build stronger bones as a teen?
A: Weight-bearing activity plus calcium/vitamin D from healthy foods.
Q: Is acne a hygiene failure?
A: No. It’s influenced by hormones, skin oils, and genetics.
Q: What does “chronic” mean in health?
A: It lasts a long time or comes back repeatedly.
Q: What is one sign of dehydration?
A: Dark urine, dizziness, or headaches.
Q: Can sleep problems affect mood and grades?
A: Yes, sleep strongly affects focus and emotional regulation.
Q: What is a “trigger” (health/stress)?
A: Something that makes symptoms worse or starts a flare-up.
Q: If you’re nervous about seeing a doctor, what can you do?
A: Write your questions down and bring a trusted adult if you want.
Q: What is one sign you should talk to a clinician about your period?
A: Very heavy bleeding, severe pain, or bleeding between periods.
Q: What is “confidential care” for teens (simple)?
A: Some services can be private depending on state laws and clinic policy.
Q: Where can you find low-cost clinics in the U.S.?
A: HRSA’s Find a Health Center tool.
Q: What is one healthy relationship sign?
A: Respect for boundaries and honest communication.
Q: What is one unhealthy relationship sign?
A: Control, threats, humiliation, or isolation from friends/family.
Q: What is one reason to limit screens before bed?
A: It can help your brain wind down for sleep.
Q: If you feel unsafe at home or in a relationship, what is a strong first step?
A: Tell a trusted adult and seek professional help/resources.
Q: What does “prevention” mean in health?
A: Steps that reduce risk before a problem starts or grows.
Q: What is “screening” in health care?
A: Testing/checks to find issues early, sometimes before symptoms.
Q: Name one trusted U.S. government health information library site.
A: MedlinePlus.
Q: What number can you call/text in the U.S. for immediate emotional support?
A: 988.

TeenThreads Final Word

Girls’ health is not just “one topic.” It’s your whole life: your body, your mind, your safety, your future, and your confidence.
You deserve facts, respect, and support — every step of the way.

Last updated: February 5, 2026

TeenThreads note: Some adult-only topics exist on large health sites; this page is curated for teen girls and adolescent girls.