acne: a serious, ongoing outbreak of pimples

adolescence: the stage of life between puberty and adulthood

cramps: discomfort caused by the contraction of the uterus, usually beginning before your period and tapering off during your period

genitalia: external reproductive organs

hormones: chemicals in your body that send messages to the various parts of your body to "tell" them that it's time to mature. Female hormones are estrogen and progesterone.

hygiene: the process and practice of keeping your body clean

menarche: first onset of menstruation

menstruation: the monthly shedding of a woman's uterine lining, also called a period

ovulation: the release of a mature egg from the ovary, which takes place about 13-15 days before the menstrual period begins

pad: also called maxi pad or sanitary napkin; a soft, absorbent product worn outside the body to absorb menstrual flow available in thick or ultra thins

pantiliner: a small, thin pad that can be used on light flow days or between periods

period: the monthly shedding of a woman's uterine lining, also called menstruation

pimple: a blemish caused by oil build-up in the pores of the skin

premenstrual syndrome: also called PMS; symptoms that appear in some women just before menstruation, including fatigue, mood swings, headaches, cravings, weight gain, and various aches

puberty: a time of physical and emotional change for adolescents and their bodies

pubic hair: hair that grows around the female and male genitals

tampon: absorbent, cylinder-shaped product worn inside the vagina to absorb the menstrual flow