Most people associate us gynecologists with adult women who visit us for a Pap test, pregnancy exams, or childbirth. However, our patients can also be teenagers, children, or even infants, as gynecology aims to care for the health of women of all ages.
Pediatric and adolescent gynecology, specifically, deals with the treatment of conditions that affect children and adolescents. These conditions may be hereditary, present from birth, or develop later and be related to puberty.
What are the reasons for visiting a gynecologist before adulthood?
The reasons we recommend you visit us are many. More often, they are related to educating and advising adolescents, as well as familiarizing them with us to build a trusting relationship. Less frequently, there may be a problem, injury, or infection, or there may be some hereditary gynecological condition that requires preventive examinations.
More specifically, the reasons for adolescent visits to a gynecologist before adulthood are related to 5 key issues:
The menstrual cycle
- To know if their period is normal
- To learn ways to relieve menstrual pain
- To investigate if there are menstrual disorders
- To learn ways to cope with premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Sexuality and relationships
- To learn how to have healthy relationships
- To understand how their reproductive system works
- To be informed about safe sex practices
- To understand the concept of consent
- To be informed about gender identity
Pregnancy
- To know about contraception options
- To learn what can happen if they become pregnant
- To discuss the appropriate way and time to start a family
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- To get vaccinated against HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- To get tested for STDs if they are sexually active
- To be informed about ways to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV (AIDS)
Their overall health
- To receive advice on healthier habits and how to feel good about themselves
- To be informed about ways to keep their bones healthy
- To learn to recognize urinary tract infections (UTIs) and their treatment methods
Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Conditions
Conditions that may arise in childhood or adolescence are usually pre-existing from birth or related to the period. Specifically, we can diagnose and propose treatment for children or adolescents facing:
- Early or delayed onset of puberty
- Gynecological conditions such as polycystic ovaries and endometriosis
- Breast development issues
- HPV or other infections
- Genital injuries
- Genetic abnormalities in the development of reproductive organs
- Emotional and psychological repercussions
- Acne and excessive hair growth
- Nutritional disorders
When to Schedule the First Gynecologist Appointment for Your Child?
If your child is not facing any condition or period-related issue, we recommend scheduling the first gynecologist appointment between the ages of 13 and 15, regardless of whether they have started menstruating or are sexually active. If this has not happened before the onset of the period, then schedule an appointment as soon as it starts.
How We Will Help You and Your Child?
The first gynecologist appointment can naturally cause anxiety, especially in children or adolescents. If you visit us with your daughter, this first appointment will have a purely advisory and informative character, aiming at our acquaintance, familiarizing the child with the clinic's environment, and building a relationship of trust and communication.
Depending on the reason for the visit, the child's or adolescent's age, and their personal preference, you can either stay in the clinic or wait in the waiting area. If the appointment is not for diagnosing a condition, of course, no gynecological examination is performed. We will certainly take her history, along with her family history, inform her about the possibilities and normal functions of her body, and answer all her questions and concerns. If a problem needs to be investigated, we will start with simpler and non-invasive examinations such as the gynecological examination and ultrasound.
Sources:
https://www.advancedgynecology.com/2022/the-importance-of-pediatric-teen-gynecology/
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/21-reasons-to-see-a-gynecologist-before-you-turn-21