Pediatric and adolescent gynecology addresses the reproductive health of females, from babies to teens. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, girls should have their first gynecologic visit between the ages of 13 and As they begin to mature into young women, they will require regular gynecologic care.
We take care to put our young patients at ease and establish trust. At this first visit, we focus on establishing a connection. A pelvic exam is usually not required though it may be performed if there is a compelling medical reason. Our providers will also discuss sexually transmitted diseases and how to protect against them. We recommend that parents encourage their teen to ask any questions and raise any concerns they may have, no matter how embarrassing or rudimentary they may seem.
A parent or legal guardian must accompany all patients under the age of In addition to taking vitals such as blood pressure, the provider may also do a breast exam to detect any cysts and assess overall development. If a pelvic exam is done, the doctor will examine the outer vaginal area for swelling or sores.
Usually, our providers do not perform internal pelvic exam on adolescents, but if one is required, it would be performed using a speculum in the same way it would for an adult.
Tests for sexually transmitted infections are done by taking a gentle swab to gather cells. Pap smears are not recommended until the age of 21 regardless of the onset of sexual activity.
