Teens gyno exam

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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. Otherwise, doctors don't recommend regular pelvic exams or Pap smears until a woman is 21 years old. A medical assistant or nurse will give you a robe to wear and a sheet to cover you.

Teens gyno exam

For many teen girls, going to their first gynecology appointment can seem a little scary or embarrassing. 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. Help prepare your teenager for her first gynecological appointment by helping her choose when and where to go, and by giving her an overview of what she can expect at the appointment. Chances are, her first appointment will be very different than yours was! However, many adolescents continue seeing their pediatric providers until they are 18 unless they have menstrual concerns, birth control questions, or other concerns best addressed by an OBGYN. And yes, she can schedule an appointment on her own! In fact, making her own appointment is an important step in taking ownership of her health as a young adult. This is a great time to explain how your healthcare plan works and what to look for in an OBGYN provider. You can tell her why and how you chose your primary care physician and offer to help her choose an OBGYN from within your covered provider network. Just as you want a provider you can trust, your teen will also want a provider she feels comfortable with. Here are some ways you can help her choose a provider who is within your healthcare plan:. Here is what to expect at her first gynecology appointment.

The doctor or nurse will slide the speculum out as soon as the exam is done. The first visit is typically minutes long, teens gyno exam. Click on the different category headings to find out more.

Many teenage girls and young women in the United States are having invasive gynecological exams, despite recommendations against the practice, according to research published Monday. The study, in JAMA Internal Medicine , found that a majority of those ages 15 to 20 who had a manual pelvic exam during a gynecologist visit likely didn't need one. George Sawaya, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. Pelvic exams involve applying light pressure to a woman's abdomen while inserting two fingers into the vagina to feel for unusual growths or signs of infection. In , the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists changed its guidelines for pelvic exams, concluding they weren't recommended for individuals under age 21, except in certain circumstances.

Penn Medicine gynecologists provide personalized care for adolescent and young adult women. We realize the first few gynecology visits might feel awkward. We help put you at ease as you begin the journey to a lifetime of well-woman care. The teen and young adult years present unique challenges. You will get your first period and then many more. You may become sexually active, and sometimes, unexpected gynecologic problems occur. We specialize in problems that commonly affect teens and young women. These health issues include:. We work with your primary care physician and other Penn specialists to manage chronic conditions. Diabetes, PCOS, thyroid disease and other conditions can affect your choice of birth control, increase the risk of pregnancy complications and cause other problems.

Teens gyno exam

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. Typically, the first appointment includes an introduction to the gynecologist and general health counseling, as well as discussion of any concerns. As pediatric and adolescent gynecologists , we offer an ideal starting point for young patients who are new to gynecologic care. Pediatric and adolescent gynecologists have special training and experience in talking to young patients at various stages of adolescence.

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Doctors might call the yearly checkup a "gyn exam," but there's very little actual examining involved. We discuss menstrual issues, puberty and prevention of pregnancy and STIs sexually transmitted infections. Many times, this can be an opportunity to offer solutions for issues such as:. Our goal is for every woman to be the happiest, healthiest version of herself that she can be! If you don't want to go back because you didn't like the doctor or nurse practitioner, find a new doctor or clinic. We sat down with Dr. Employee Resources. A nurse or medical assistant will take you into the exam room to weigh you and get your blood pressure. She can certainly invite you to remain with her during the exam. But most of the visit will be spent talking.

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.

Once the speculum is in place, the doctor or nurse will gently open it up. Our Research. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. You can tell her why and how you chose your primary care physician and offer to help her choose an OBGYN from within your covered provider network. The doctor or nurse practitioner will come into the room and talk a bit about what to expect and why they're doing the exam. Understanding the Menstrual Cycle Most adolescents get their first period between ages 10 and We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Others do an exam first. She also has a strong interest in adolescent health, medical ethics and global issues in maternal health. Most important, you'll have a chance to ask questions about anything — like how your breasts look , if you should shave your pubic hair or not, or if the things you've heard about STDs are true. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Forefront Pediatrics. Vash-Margita talks with a young patient and her mother. After graduating nursing school, she enjoyed 13 years caring for women as a labor and delivery nurse.