Hinglish

Changes that Indicate Reproductive Capability

Class 7 Science · Chapter 6: Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change · NCERT Curiosity section 6.2

Learn

Some changes of adolescence happen inside the body and cannot be seen. The organs involved in reproduction slowly mature in both boys and girls. This is a natural part of growing up, just as a plant must grow before it can flower.

In girls, an important change is the start of the menstrual cycle ("the period"). It usually repeats about every 28–30 days, though anywhere from 21 to 35 days is normal. The days of bleeding are called menstruation and last about 3 to 7 days; some girls feel cramps in the lower abdomen. Menstruation naturally stops at around 45–55 years of age.

Menstruation is a sign of good reproductive health. Yet many myths surround it, such as keeping girls apart from others or away from the kitchen. These have no scientific basis and only cause fear and shame. Meher's class makes a poster: "Periods are natural. Talk about them without shame."

Explore: fact or myth?

  1. Sort each statement.

Remember

  • Internal changes prepare the body for reproduction; in girls the menstrual cycle begins.
  • Menstruation is natural and healthy; isolating girls is a myth with no scientific basis.

Quick check

Bleeding during the menstrual cycle usually lasts …

  1. 3 to 7 days
  2. 28 days
  3. 1 hour
  4. 2 months
Answer

3 to 7 days. The whole cycle is about a month; the bleeding phase is a few days.

Think about it

How can boys in a class help make periods less of a taboo?

One answer

By learning the facts, never teasing, supporting clean toilets with dustbins in school, and treating it as the normal body process it is.

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.