Teens gyno exam

For many teen girls, going to their first gynecology appointment can seem a little scary or embarrassing. As her teens gyno exam or dad or aunt or friendthe support and advice you give could ease her anxiety so she has a positive first experience.

A pelvic exam is where a doctor or nurse practitioner looks at a girl's reproductive organs both outside and internally. This includes feeling a girl's uterus and ovaries to be sure everything's normal. Teens don't usually get pelvic exams. Sometimes doctors do pelvic exams if they think there's a problem. For example, if a girl complains of heavy bleeding, missed periods, or discharge, the doctor will want to check for a cause.

Teens gyno exam

Most parents are well-versed in schedules for their kids. They know when their kids need to start dental checks, and inevitably, when to see an orthodontist. But when it comes to teenaged girls, many parents may not realize a first gynecologist visit should be scheduled between ages 13 and PAG, a new clinical service within Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences , focuses on providing care for young women from birth to age In addition to routine preventive care, PAG physicians treat problems ranging from infections to heavy menstrual cycles to disorders of sexual development. We sat down with Dr. Vash-Margita, one of Connecticut's only gynecologists with this highly specialized training, to learn why young girls may benefit from early gynecologic care and to find out what drew her to this field. I felt for these girls and developed a passion for taking care of them. I decided to pursue a fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at the University of Michigan. It empowered me. I felt eager to work with this age group, which is underserved when it comes to gynecologic issues.

Here are some ways you can help her choose a provider who is within your healthcare plan:. You can also change some of your preferences.

Gynecology "gyn" for short is a medical field that focuses on the female reproductive system. A gyn checkup is a yearly health check — like a regular eye exam or dental checkup. Doctors often call gyn checkups "well woman visits" because they're designed to keep you healthy by catching small issues before they turn into big ones. This could be even before you realize you have an issue. It's sort of like when a dentist finds a cavity before it gives you a toothache.

Schedule an Appointment Online. Get an online second opinion from one of our experts without having to leave your home. Get a Second Opinion. MyChart UChicago Medicine. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG , adolescents should have their first routine gynecologic visit between ages 13 and 15 years old. Younger patients are also welcome.

Teens gyno exam

I am writing to laud the American Academy of Pediatrics for its promotion of the importance of the gynecologic examination of adolescents in the primary care setting. In my experience as a pediatric resident, there are two specific barriers to this end that I have observed. First, many pediatricians rely on referrals to specialists at outside clinics and separate facilities for an exam that could be integrated into the pediatric office visit. In large academic centers, primary care doctors are tempted to traffic issues of gynecologic health to Adolescent Health specialists. This "outsourcing" of genital complaints can lead to increases in noncompliance, less comprehensive patient care in urgent care settings, increased health care costs, and poor continuity of care with the primary care pediatrician. Secondly, advances in technology, such as urine-based testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, have the potential to result in the substitution of these tests in place of a true evaluation and physical exam. Urine testing is easy to administer and perhaps easier to introduce to adolescent patients; however, vaginal or cervical swab specimens continue to be the optimal test for these infections in female patients 1, 2. Furthermore, vaginal self-swabs have been found to be the preferred method of collection by surveyed women 3, 4, 5. The primary motivation for obtaining urine-based tests should be to improve screening rates in patients that are not emotionally or cognitively ready to undergo a full gynecologic examination or obtain a vaginal self-swab.

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Alla Vash-Margita, MD, specializes in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. But for the remaining 15 percent, menses will stay irregular for the rest of their reproductive lives. Chicago, IL Call Us At Otherwise, you won't need to go back for another year — unless you notice any health problems, of course. La Grange Rd. Teens don't usually get pelvic exams. We are happy to help. Once the speculum is in place, the doctor or nurse will gently open it up. Cansino said it's important for a woman to build trust with her physician, and that the first visit with a gynecologist is a good time to talk through what to expect during future appointments, including when physical exams are — and are not — needed. You'll be left alone to undress — either fully if you're getting a breast exam as well or from the waist down. A pediatric and adolescent gynecologist can answer questions and provide education about topics such as:. Cansino was not involved with the new research, but was a co-author for the ACOG's clinical guidelines for pelvic examination.

Penn Medicine gynecologists provide personalized care for adolescent and young adult women. We realize the first few gynecology visits might feel awkward.

She or he will use a speculum to gently widen the vagina. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG , adolescents should have their first routine gynecologic visit between ages 13 and 15 years old. They're also recommended prior to certain procedures, such as the insertion of an intrauterine device for birth control. Schedule an Appointment Online To request an appointment, please use our secure online form. Both male and female doctors can do a gyn checkup. What Are Gyn Checkups? How much should I cramp or bleed during my period? It's sort of like when a dentist finds a cavity before it gives you a toothache. As her mom or dad or aunt or friend , the support and advice you give could ease her anxiety so she has a positive first experience. Some of the things you'll discuss are periods, breast growth, birth control, STDs, sexuality, relationships, pregnancy, and body image. At this age, they may be curious about or already having periods, and they may have questions. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. I ask what they do after school and about their interests. Cansino said it's important for a woman to build trust with her physician, and that the first visit with a gynecologist is a good time to talk through what to expect during future appointments, including when physical exams are — and are not — needed. Usually, it is related to menstrual cramps, though many other conditions can cause it, including endometriosis , a painful disease in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus.