The common misconception is that young females do not need to see a gynecologist until they are sexually active. However, education on topics such as healthy relationships, regular menstrual cycles, and the human papillomavirus can guide adolescents to good health.
The initial visit to the gynecologist offers an opportunity for your daughter to build a relationship with the provider, ask questions, and discuss common issues teens face as they mature through different stages of life. If the patient is not sexually active or experiencing a medical issue, no exam would be required which is often the reason why teens have increased anxiety about scheduling an appointment.
We pride ourselves on providing a supportive and comfortable environment for parents and young females to visit. Education and compassion is the best tool VPFW can provide our patients as their partners in health.
Seeing a gynecologist before the age of 21 has many benefits for adolescents:
Health
- Start feeling better about yourself by learning how to have a healthy lifestyle.
- Have conversations about good habits for healthy bones.
- Learn about urinary tract infections and treatment options if necessary.
- Get treatment for vaginal itching, odor, or discharge.
Periods
- Find out if your periods are normal.
- Relieve painful periods.
- Learn why your periods are too heavy.
- Learn about the timing of your periods and why bleeding occurs in between.
- Know ways to deal with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Sexuality & Relationships
- Learn how to maintain healthy relationships.
- Know about healthy, consensual relationships.
- Talk about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) topics.
- Learn about safe sex.
- Understand how your reproductive system works.
Pregnancy
- Get birth control so you can better plan.
- Discuss the ideal time to start a family.
- Get tested for pregnancy.
- Weigh your options if you become pregnant.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Learn how to protect and lower your risk from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Get tested from STIs and HIV if you are sexually active.
- Get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hyde or any of our providers, please call VPFW at 804-897-2100 or set an appointment online.