Is It Time? Many moms with teenage daughters often wonder when it is time to take them to see a gynecologist. It can be a sensitive topic to discuss and is sometimes avoided all together. However, it can be important to start good health care habits early. Teenage girls can be self-conscious and have many questions they do not want to ask mom. It is encouraged that parents to bring their daughters in for an initial consultation during their early teen years. This allows the teens to ask questions of an objective source. Physicians can then begin building relationships that hopefully develop into a continuum of care. Though current guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggest an initial pap smear isn’t needed until age 21, having the opportunity to talk with a medical practitioner builds rapport, trust and healthy self-esteem and helps decrease anxiety associated with future gynecological exams. It is important that young women be comfortable discussing topics they consider embarrassing and become more comfortable talking about their health. The first appointment does not have to include a physical exam. Some physicians prefer to chat with the mom and patient together, then with the daughter alone. They could discuss a wide range of topics ranging from peer pressure, sexual activity, abstinence, hygiene, drugs, and alcohol. It is important to cover it all in a nonjudgmental setting to avoid sounding like their parent.
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Kid-and-Kaboodle.com
by Dr. Louis Mann, MD
There are certain circumstances where a physical exam may be necessary at the first or second visit. For example, if a young girl is not showing signs of puberty by age 13 or she has not had her first menstrual cycle by age 18, she may need evaluation. Identifying delayed puberty development can help ensure the patient reaches full growth potential, retains bone health, and avoids poor self-esteem. If the young patient has been sexually active, then an exam is warranted to screen for sexually transmitted viruses/infections. Painful periods, or dysmenorrhea, can be another reason that young teens may want to visit the gynecologist. If a young woman is missing school for example, due to intense pain, an appointment should be considered because there are things we can do to help. The first step would be to keep a menstrual calendar and pain diary to better assess what is going on. An additional reason for extremely painful periods could be endometriosis, a disorder where tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis is a serious but treatable condition that often under diagnosed. This is a disease affecting women during childbearing years and may lead to infertility. Sometimes painful periods may be more than just painful periods; if you are not sure, you need to see a gynecologist. These are just a few of the problems young women may face as they mature and should be addressed with a women’s healthcare provider. Our primary goal is a healthy and happy woman. Prevention, education, and regular visits are means to achieve that end. As parents it is hard to see our little girls grow up, but we need to give them every opportunity to have safe and healthy lives. Whether it is with a teen to discuss puberty or a young woman heading off to college, an appointment with a women’s health provider is part of transitioning to adulthood.
