A Parent’s Guide to the First OB-GYN Exam for Their Child

A teen’s first gynecological checkup can be especially nerve-wracking because of the many questions and concerns she may have. Contrastingly, there is no reason for it to be a frightening experience! A few simple things parents can do to help their child prepare include booking the initial session and learning about the issues that may be discussed. Here’s a parent’s guide to the first OB-GYN exam for their child.

Prior to sending their teen to their first OB-GYN exam, these are the most important topics parents should be aware of.

Pediatric Gynecologists: Finding the Right One for You and Your Child

Finding a service provider for your adolescent is the first step. Gynecologists frequently encounter children brought in by their parents. Instead, pediatricians and family practitioners can serve as a useful resources for parents. Recommendations from close friends and family members are always welcome. The website of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology has a doctor locator as well.

Their First Appointment with an OB-GYN

OB-GYN visits should begin around the ages of 13 to 15 for most children, but there is no one-size-fits-all rule. Similar advice is given by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Most children who menstruate have their periods by the time they reach puberty, and their developmental stages allow for prophylactic care.

Puberty can begin at eight years old, with breast development followed by pubic and armpit hair, a growth spurt, and, for most people who were designated female at birth, a reproductive period. Typically, the pace is two years at a time. When breast buds appear, it normally takes two years for a girl to begin her menstrual cycle. You might begin by bringing up the subject and starting a discussion.

A first OB-GYN appointment can be a little late if you wait until someone is sexually active. To have such conversations with a trustworthy adult and to discuss delicate healthcare problems is something you want to be able to accomplish.

Even yet, an OB-GYN appointment for a child may be necessary even earlier in some cases, such as if the child has a medical condition that necessitates it. In the event that a youngster is experiencing concerns with their reproductive organs, such as menstruation irregularity, pelvic pain, or ovarian cysts, it is very reasonable to bring them to the gynecologist.

Exam Preparation: What to Expect

A gynecologist’s appointment begins with a discussion. Before requesting one-on-one time with a child, doctors consult with both the patient and the caregiver. Many parents and guardians have expressed reluctance to allow their children to ask these kinds of questions over the years, but if you really explain why you want your child to do so, nearly no one will object.

If you’re under the age of 21, a Pap Smear isn’t likely to be done at your first visit. We now believe that screening pelvic exams are of little use and should be decided on a case-by-case basis, adding that signs such as severe vaginal bleeding or vaginal pain may suggest the necessity for an exam.

When it comes to the first OB-GYN appointment, most doctors are trying to be personable and empathic. As a patient, ask any questions you may have about what’s going on. Menstruation, birth control, acne, sex and sexuality, body image, STIs, emotions, and more are all topics that young people may choose to discuss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Your Child’s First Gynecological Appointment

The first step is to get genitalia back to a more normal state. We do the genitalia a disservice when we “exceptionalize” them. The gynecologist, like the eye doctor or the dentist, is referred to in the same way. this person is an expert and you may ask them questions and obtain responses from them by framing it in this way.

For children and parents alike, it is critical that they understand there is no such thing as “embarrassing” to say. All day, every day, I work on this. This isn’t embarrassing for me at all. The more at ease your doctor is, the more at ease you will be as a patient.

Helpful related article: Eating Disorders in Children Affect Both Girls and Boys, Teaching Your Teen To Use A Pad, Preparing Your Child for Their First Period