Preventing a bladder infection
Women get bladder infections, also called cystitis, more easily than men do.
That’s because the urethra is shorter in women than in men. Bacteria entering the urethra are the cause of bladder infections.
Urethra
The urethra is between 2.5 and 4 cm long in women. The outlet of the urethra is below the clitoris. Your pee comes out of this opening.
Preventing bladder infections: 2 tips
- Wipe from the front to the back when you go to the toilet. Starting at your vulva and working back towards your buttocks. This ensures bacteria from your anus cannot get into your urethra.
- Take a pee after having sex. This rinses the urethra clean and flushes out any bacteria.
Puberty
Breasts
You develop breasts during puberty. This could start in a girl of 8, but also in a girl of 14. Age varies for all girls
Vulva
The vagina
Menstruation
During puberty, a girl has her first period. For about 5 days, some blood, mixed with mucus, flows from your vagina. You can use tampons, sanitary pads or cups to soak up the blood and mucus.