Growth, Development and Reproductive Health
This domain tests the difference between growth and development, the changes of puberty, reproductive anatomy and hygiene, and adolescent reproductive health.
Core concepts
- Growth is an increase in size or mass. Development is an increase in skills, maturity and function, such as learning to walk or reason.
- Puberty is the stage when reproductive maturity develops. Hormones include testosterone in males and oestrogen and progesterone in females.
- Male changes: voice deepens, facial and body hair grows, testes and penis enlarge, sweat increases, and sperm production begins.
- Female changes: breasts develop, hips widen, body hair grows, menstruation begins, and the menstrual cycle becomes established.
- Menstrual cycle: day 1 is the first day of bleeding; ovulation occurs around day 14 in a 28-day cycle; if fertilisation does not occur, progesterone falls and menstruation begins.
- Reproductive health includes hygiene, avoiding sexually transmitted infections, consent, and seeking reliable information.
Worked example
A 13-year-old asks why menstrual bleeding occurs. Reasoning: the uterus lining thickens in preparation for a possible pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilised, the lining is shed with blood and mucus. This is a normal cycle, not a sign of illness or impurity. Menstrual hygiene includes changing pads every 4–6 hours and washing with clean water.
Traps that cost marks
- Growth and development are related but not the same; do not use them interchangeably.
- Ovulation is not always on day 14; that is only an average for a 28-day cycle.
- HIV is not spread by sharing food, hugging or using the same toilet.
- Do not describe menstruation as dirty; it is a normal physiological process.