Exploring Reproductive Health – YouthReclaim Academy
Welcome to the Exploring Reproductive Health chapter of YouthReclaim Academy! This safe space for young women ages 13-22 helps you understand your menstrual cycle, navigate puberty, and know when to seek help.
Our mission—Heal, Balance, Thrive—guides you through engaging, age-appropriate learning on our secure platform.
Why Reproductive Health Matters
Physical Wellbeing
Tracking your period patterns can help you prepare for cramps, headaches, or heavy flow days. Recognizing abnormal symptoms early—like unusually severe pain, missed periods, or sudden changes—means you’ll know when it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider.
Emotional Health
Learning how hormonal changes affect your mood and energy makes it easier to handle irritability, sadness, or anxiety. Discovering self-care strategies—like journaling, exercise, or talking to friends—can help you manage emotional ups and downs.
Empowerment
When you know how your body works, you can confidently speak up at doctor’s appointments and make choices about your reproductive health, like choosing the best period products or knowing what contraception options exist as you get older.
Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual Phase
Days 1–5: Your period starts as the built-up lining of the uterus sheds and leaves the body as menstrual blood—this is usually when you’ll notice bleeding. Hormone levels for both estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest, which can lead to feelings of fatigue, mild cramping, and sometimes mood swings or headaches. It's normal for periods to last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, with flow and symptoms varying from cycle to cycle.

Follicular Phase
Days 1–13: Right after your period begins, your brain signals your ovaries to get ready for the next ovulation. Estrogen levels steadily rise, which encourages the growth of several tiny follicles (each holding an immature egg) in your ovaries. As one follicle matures, you may notice increased energy, improved mood, and clearer skin as your body prepares for ovulation.

Ovulation
Around Day 14: A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the mature follicle to release an egg, which travels down the fallopian tube. Estrogen levels reach their peak and you might feel more social, confident, or energized. Some people experience mild cramping called “mittelschmerz,” thicker vaginal discharge, or a temporary rise in body temperature at this time.

Luteal Phase
Days 15–28: After ovulation, progesterone levels rise to support a possible pregnancy. If the egg isn't fertilized, both estrogen and progesterone begin to drop, leading up to your next period. This hormone shift can bring on PMS symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, mood changes, food cravings, or trouble sleeping. Self-care and healthy habits can help ease these symptoms as you approach the next cycle.
Puberty and Body Changes
Breast Development
Usually begins ages 8-13 with small, tender lumps under one or both nipples ("breast buds"). Growth is often uneven at first before evening out. It's normal for breasts to feel sore or itchy as they develop.
Growth Spurts
Expect rapid height increases, often between ages 9-14—sometimes up to 3-4 inches (8-10cm) per year. Limbs may feel awkward and clothes can become tight quickly. Eating balanced meals and getting rest help your growing body.
Wider Hips
Typically around ages 11-16, your hips and pelvis widen to support eventual adulthood. Some girls notice "stretch marks" or mild aches as their lower body shape changes—this is normal and part of growing up.
Body Hair
Fine hair appears in the pubic area, underarms, and on legs—sometimes as early as 10, often by 12-14. It's common for hair color and amount to vary. Some choose to remove hair, others do not—both are valid options.
When to Seek Help
Irregular Periods
If your cycles come less than every 21 days, more than every 35 days, or you skip your period for three months or more (and you're not pregnant), it’s worth getting checked. Let your provider know if your period hasn't started by age 15 or if it stops suddenly after being regular.
Severe Pain
If you have period cramps so intense they keep you home from school, wake you up at night, or don’t get better with over-the-counter pain medicine or a heating pad, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider. Pain during your period should not disrupt your everyday life.
Unusual Discharge
See a provider if you notice discharge that is green, gray, chunky, has a strong “fishy” odor, or is accompanied by burning, itching, or swelling in the vulva. Sudden changes in discharge might signal an infection or other issue.
Excessive Bleeding
If you’re soaking through a pad or tampon every 1-2 hours for several hours in a row, need to double up on protection, pass blood clots larger than a quarter, or your period lasts more than 7 days, make an appointment with your doctor. These could be signs of an underlying health problem.
Engaging Activities for Learning
Cycle Tracking Challenge
Use a calendar or tracking app to record your period’s start/end dates, symptoms (like cramps, mood changes, or energy shifts), and any unusual changes for the next month. At the end, look for patterns—do certain symptoms show up at the same time each cycle? Bring your notes to a trusted adult or nurse to discuss your observations and questions.
Puberty Positivity Board
Gather magazines, digital images, or drawings to build a vision board that celebrates how your body is changing. Include empowering quotes (e.g., “Growing is powerful!”), photos, or words describing what you like about yourself. Share your board with a friend or group to spark conversation about beauty and confidence in puberty.
Health Advocacy Role-Play
With a partner or in a small group, take turns acting as a doctor and a young person bringing up a concern (like painful periods, body hair questions, or irregular cycles). Use prompt cards with common scenarios and prepare two questions you’d want to ask a health professional. Practice speaking up and listening actively—then reflect on what felt easy or challenging.
Connecting with YouthReclaim Community
Share Health Insights
Post about something you've learned to connect with peers.
Seek and Offer Support
Ask for advice and respond to peers with encouragement.
Celebrate Progress
Share milestones and earn achievement badges.
Sustaining Your Reproductive Health Journey
Track Regularly
Log your cycle weekly to stay in tune with your body.
Stay Curious
Revisit lessons or ask questions to deepen your knowledge.
Connect Often
Engage on the Reclaim Wall or join monthly meet-ups.
Trust Yourself
Act on instincts if something feels off and seek help.
Your Next Steps
Sign Up
Create your free, anonymous account at shereclaims.life to access the YouthReclaim Academy, cycle tracker, and Reclaim Wall.
Start Learning
Try the cycle tracker or watch the puberty video to dive in.
Join the Community
Post an introduction on the Reclaim Wall and connect with other young women.
A Note from YouthReclaim
Your Superpower
Understanding your body empowers you to feel confident and strong.
Your Guide
Use our relatable tools and resources to support every step of your journey.
Your Community
Grow and learn in a safe, welcoming space with others like you.
Your body is a powerful, unique part of who you are. We're here to support you with relatable tools and a safe space to grow. Sign up at shereclaims.life today!