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Your Body

All women’s bodies are different, but there are some things that all women should know.

This page lists some things that happen to most women's bodies at different stages in their life.

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Puberty

It is important to ensure women and girls with disability have access to clear age and developmentally appropriate education about their bodies, menstruation and sex when entering puberty.

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The age puberty starts can vary a lot but it is usually between 8 and 16 years old. Puberty begins with hormonal and body changes, usually followed by the start of menstruation.

Some of the changes during puberty can include:

  • hair in new places, like under armpits and around genitals
  • weight gain and breast growth
  • pimples and oily skin
  • mood swings
  • menstruation (periods)

Menstruation (periods)

Most people who have a uterus will start menstruating between the ages of 10 and 18.

Menstruation is bleeding from the uterus that happens about once a month and is commonly known as your menstrual cycle or having a period.

In the first part of the menstrual cycle, your hormones make the lining of the uterus thicker, getting it ready in case of pregnancy. If you don’t become pregnant, the lining of the uterus will shed and exit your body in the form of bleeding (your period).

If you do become pregnant, your periods will stop while you are pregnant.

Watch the Family Planning Victoria video (external website) about menstruation:

Tip: Click the subtitles button in the bottom right hand corner of the video to turn closed captions on and off.

How do I know my period is coming? 

Some people get symptoms leading up to and during menstruation, such as:

  • cramps or stomach pains
  • constipation and diarrhoea
  • very heavy bleeding
  • skin problems
  • mood changes

Management of your period

There are many ways you can manage the symptoms of your period including:

  • wearing disposable pads or tampons
  • wearing reusable pads or absorbable underwear
  • using a menstrual cup
  • taking pain medication like ibuprofen
  • keeping track of your period with a smart phone app like Flo (external link).  

Changes

There are some things that can result in changes to your period, like:

  • losing or gaining a large amount of weight
  • pregnancy
  • going through menopause
  • taking contraceptives.
Tip: If you notice changes in your period that you are worried about, or your period causes severe pain, it is important that you talk to your doctor. This may be a sign you have endometriosis or another health complication. You can learn more about endometriosis on the Health Direct website (external link).

Menopause

Photo of WWDA Board member, Pamela; an older woman with blonde hair and glasses.

Menopause is a natural part of getting older. It occurs when your body stops producing certain hormones and you stop ovulating and menstruating. The average age for a woman to reach menopause is 51, but any time between 45 and 60 years old is considered normal. These hormonal changes can affect how you feel physically and emotionally. These changes may also affect how some women feel about sex. There are adjustments you can make to help sex be more enjoyable.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of menopause include:

  • changes to your period
  • hot flushes and night sweats
  • tiredness
  • mood changes
  • anxiety and depression.

Management

A range of management options are available for the different symptoms of menopause, including:

  • regular exercise
  • eating foods with phytoestrogen (this can help by mimicking the hormone oestrogen which decreases during menopause). Foods with phytoestrogen include: soy bean products, tofu, whole grain products, beans and lentils
  • talking to your doctor about treatments like Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) or other prescription medications
  • using things to cool down during hot flushes, like a fan or cold drink
  • doing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles
  • using lubricants during sex  
  • relaxation techniques like meditation
Tip: You can learn more about ways to stay healthy and feel good on the page Healthy Living.

Body image

Human bodies come in various shapes, sizes, and abilities. Our bodies are incredible because they allow us to experience the world.  Most people have parts of their body and physical appearance that they like, and parts that they dislike or wish were different.  These feelings are entirely normal.  We call the thoughts we have about our own body - "body image".  These thoughts can evolve over time.

Some people like to cultivate a positive body image - which is great! You may like to focus on the things that you like about yourself, and spending time with people who make you feel good about your body.

Here are some things you can try to cultivate a positive body image:

  • make a list of 10 things you like about your body. This can include what you can do with your body, not just what you look like
  • organise a catch up with friends and family that make you feel good
  • look and yourself in a mirror while saying nice things about yourself like "I look good today!" or "I like my smile!"


Body Neutrality

The "body neutrality" approach can also be a helpful and healthy way to think about our bodies.  This means accepting and respecting your body, even if it doesn't match your ideal preferences.   You may like to say things to yourself , "This is my body; it may not be perfect, but it's enough"  or "my body carried me through today". This mindset emphasizes appreciation for the functionality and resilience of your body.

Beauty

The images of people portrayed in the media and online often present an unrealistic standard that doesn't reflect how people truly look in everyday life. We all have unique quirks and features, but many photos and videos are edited to eliminate these individual traits.

Beauty doesn't have a fixed definition or rules. You can check out images of models with disabilities who bring their own special perspectives on what's beautiful at

https://themighty.com/topic/disability/models-disabilities-international-womens-day/ (external link).

Important Resources

Publications
WWDA Position Statement 4: Sexual and Reproductive Rights
Information from WWDA about the rights of women and girls with disability to make decisions about their bodies, sexual health and relationships.
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External website
Easy English Books: Sex and Your Body
A range of Easy English books about sex, your body, families, relationships and more!
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External website
Family Planning Alliance Australia: services
A website where you can find your local family planning service.
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Guides
WWDA Youth Fact Sheet: 15 Questions About Periods, Answered!
This fact sheet answers common questions about periods.
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Guides
WWDA Youth Fact Sheet: Body Image
A fact sheet about body image, eating disorders and more.
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Where to next:

External website
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health.
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External website
The Butterfly Foundation
A website providing support for eating disorders and body image issues.
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Videos
Family Planning Victoria YouTube Channel
A series of videos about sexual health from Victoria.
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External website
Lifeline
Lifeline is a national organisation that supports Australians in mental health crisis. If you are in crisis you can call Lifeline on 13 14 11.
Apple App Store
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Accessible Word File
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External website
Jean Hailes - For Women's Health
A national organisation that provides women with information about their health in various stages of their life.
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External website
Apps
Ngaanyatjarra pitjantatjara yankunytjatjara women’s council (Aboriginal corporation): Kulila! App
The Kulila! app translates key mental health words and phrases into the indigenous language, Pitjantjatjara.
Apple App Store
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Accessible Word File
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External website
The Royal Women's Hospital
A website with lots of useful information and downloadable fact sheets about women's health.
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