GL's Top 10: Most personal body questions answeres - GL Body Q and A

Girls' Life, April, 2002

PERIODS. BREASTS, DOWN-THERE HAIR...HOW DOESA GIRL DEAL WITH ALL THIS?!? WE/VE GATHERED YOUR MOST PRIVATE HEALTH QUESTIONS-ONES YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW THE ANSWERS TOBUT NEVERDARED TO ASK READ ON AS EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR MOST PRESSING, PERSONAL QUESTIONS.

ONE DAY IN THE SHOWER, I NOTICED ONE OF MY BREASTS IS BIGGER THAN THE OTHER. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?

Don't worry--you are perfectly fine! In fact, about half of all women have different sized breasts--usually the left one is larger (who knew?), According to gynecologist Dr Carol Upright of Stanford, Conn., it's completely normal, especially as you develop, to have one breast be larger Think of it like this: Can't one of your feet be a size 6 and the other be more of a 6 1/2? Dr Upright says when your breasts are fully developed, usually by the time you're 18, they should even out some, By the way, you're probably the only one who notices the difference anyway Oh, and don't try stuffing your bra with tissue--that could lead to one embarrassing sitch.

I ALWAYS DREAD GETTING MY PERIOD BECAUSE IT MAKE ME THROW UP. WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN? AND WILL IT EVER STOP?

As it having your period weren't fun enough, "Vomiting can happen because of painful cramps or hormonal changes that come with the onset of your period," says gynecologist Dr Paula Adams Hillard, director of women's health at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr Hillard suggests checking with your doc first to make sure it's OK for you to take an over-the-counter medicine, like ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), to help relieve symptoms. She recommends taking the medicine with food at the first sign of cramping or nausea. And don't stop taking it until your period ends, even if you're feeling better If that doesn't he(p, make an appointment with your doctor.

IS THERE A PURPOSE FOR PUBIC HAIR? ARE YOUY SUPPOSED TO SHAVE ALL THE HAIR THAT'S DOWN THERE?

Hair "down there" is a totally normal sign of puberty. And, yes, pubic hair has a purpose--it blocks bacteria from getting into your vagina. "Hair can appear around the vagina, throughout the bikini line and down your thighs," says Dr. Upright. How much hair you want to shave (if any) is your choice, Many women shave Just the bikini line--the area your bathing suit doesn't cover Dr Upright suggests cleaning the area you want to shave with a washcloth or loofah first, Then, using a clean razor and shaving cream, remove the unwanted hair (see page 64 for more tips). If you have strays within your bikini line, you can pluck them with tweezers or trim them very carefully with scissors. Try a pair of safety tip scissors, like La Cross by Sally Hansen, or ones from a grooming kit. Just not those heavy-duty ones in the kitchen--ouch (and gross)! And be super careful-you don't want to look like a Chia Pet.

I LIKE LOOKING AT GIRLS' BODIES WHEN WE'RE CHANING IN GYM. IS THA WEIRD?

Looking at girls undress does not mean you're weird. Psychiatrist Robert Gerstman swears its perfectly normal to be curious about other girls' bodies--especially as a means of comparison, If you're a tad freaked about your new breasts, it can be reassuring to see you're not going through this puberty thing alone. It's also good to realize bodies come in all shapes and sizes. However, if you feel your wandering eye is about something more than comparing body types--that you might have some confusing feelings--that's OK, too. If you need to talk to someone about these feelings, don't hesitate to go to a health teacher or school nurse.

I HAVE THIS CLEAR WHITE STUFF IN MY UNDERWEAR. WHAT IS IT. AND WHY DO I HAVE IT EVERY DAY? IS IT SUPPOSED TO ITCH OR SMELL

This clear, white stuff is "a very normal part of puberty. It signals the uterus that it needs to get ready for changes that are about to occur," says Dr Upright. It's sort of a warning signal that your first period will probably start within the year. Quite simply, vaginal secretions or discharge clean any bactena in the vagina. So, even after you get your period, the discharge continues and may be heavier at certain times of the month. Wear a panty finer if it bothers you. Your vagina can be a little itchy sometimes, thanks to new hair growth, discharge buildup, or even a yeast infection. Yeast is usually present in the vagina but can multiply due to hormonal or Ph-balance changes in the vagina, and that can get itchy. If you have a yeast infection, you might notice a fishy odor and clumpy white discharge. When you notice any unusual smell or irritation, see your doc. To prevent infections, Dr Upright suggests washing thoroughly with mild, perfume-free bath soap and wearing clean, cotton underwear Stay away from nylon panties which can cause odor and trap sweat, leading to itching or infection,

I'M SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT MY FEET. I CAN'T EVEN TAKE MY SHOES OFF IN FRONT OF MY FRIENDS BECAUSE MY FEET SMELL SO BAD. HELP!

Foot stank comes from sweat glands that secrete substances into the feet and make your feet damp, which causes odor That fluid also causes yucky bacteria to grow. Dermatologist Dr Christopher Nanni of Chelsea Eye Associates in New York says the ultimate culprit to stinky feet are your shoes. "While feet might not smell if your shoes have been off awhile, the bacteria reactivates when it gets wet and hot," says Dr Nanni. He says to wash and dry your sneakers, change socks daily (or more if you're prone to sweating), spray shoes with Lysol and sprinkle with foot powder. If it's extreme, use underarm antiperspirant spray Yep, Secret on your feet. And go for canvas shoes that breathe. Hey, what a great excuse to go shoe shopping!