According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescent gynecology focuses on physical and emotional changes, reproductive health, and potential disorders of teenage girls aged 10-19. For that reason, Adolescent Gynecology is also called Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (PAG), because, during puberty, a girl’s brain sends signals (hormones) to some part of their body to start growing. Becoming a young adult, however, doesn’t mean that a teenage girl has no questions or concerns about her changing body. Breast changes, for example, or the beginning of a menstrual period mean that maybe it’s time for her to deal with conditions such as menstrual disorders, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), birth control, early-onset conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, etc. It’s time to ask and wonder: how does my body change? Or, why does my body change? And how will I stay healthy?
When should a teenage girl undergo a gynecological examination?
Many of the gynecologic conditions affecting adults begin in adolescence. But the most common reason for an adolescent’s first gynecological visit has to do with menstrual disorders: painful periods, cramping, or irregular periods. Usually, hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills) can treat symptoms of irregular periods. At what age should girls first visit a gynecologist? Between ages 13 and 15 is the recommended age.
Your first gynecological visit
It’s normal to feel anxious about your first visit. Your doctor may ask when your last period was. Maybe it’s too personal, but remember, you are here because you want to be informed about your body, growing up, and sex. And you need to get informed with professional expertise, sensitivity, clarity, and scientific evidence.
A gynecological visit has four stages:
Tracking your medical history
The doctor will ask about any current problems, if you are taking any medications, about your menstrual cycle, and whether or not you are sexually active. A nurse will give you a gown and leave the room so you can change. This examination is conducted to assess any symptoms and for counseling purposes. The psychological parameters of adolescence are not limited to body changes and the onset of menstruation; it is during adolescence that one forms their identity and comes to terms with their sexuality.
The pelvic exam
A pelvic exam can detect inflammations, sexually transmitted diseases, and some early stages of cancer. It is done by examining the external genitalia via the classic bimanual gynecological examination. It concludes with the Pap smear, which helps detect early forms of cancer in the cervix or vagina.
The ultrasound examination
It confirms the diagnosis of the pelvic exam by visualizing the uterus, endometrium, and ovaries. The exam tests for the presence of fibroids, the consistency and texture of the uterus, the presence of polyps or polycystic ovaries, or any infection (free fluid in the Douglas pouch).
The breast examination
This exam can detect early signs of breast cancer. During the examination, your gynecologist will look for lumps or abnormalities (solid or cystic nodules) in your breasts. It will also teach you how to perform a self-exam once a month.
What is adolescent gynecology used for?
Examinations and medical procedures such as ultrasound, Pap tests, and HPV vaccination are the first line of defense against diseases of the female reproductive system. Counseling also plays a significant role; depending on one’s case, they could, for example, follow a personalized approach to contraception, taking into account the latest scientific data.
Even more than that, it offers adolescent girls the opportunity to gain awareness of their physical condition, not just in the present moment (i.e., how their health is at that specific time), but also of their fertility and any vulnerabilities in their body. In short, adolescent gynecology offers them a way to understand how a woman’s body works.
From adolescent gynecology to the annual check-up
A gynecologist is like any other doctor; they work preventatively, and the earlier something is detected, the easier it is to reverse. Adolescent gynecology does exactly that: it reassures us that all are as they should be. It is also an opportunity for one to ask questions about sexual relationships and get a valid and scientifically verified answer at a time when they are called upon to make decisions with little to no experience. But most importantly, this first visit will hopefully make one care about themselves and put their annual gynecological check-up on their schedule.
