First Trip to the Gynecologist:
How to Prepare Your Teen Daughter
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, girls should see a gynecologist for the first time between the ages of 13 and 15. At that age, your teen daughter is probably self-conscious about herself and her body, so it’s important for her to feel as comfortable as possible about this medical rite of passage. Sensitively preparing your teen daughter for her first trip to the gynecologist will help her feel confident about her developing self and set a positive example about taking responsible care of her health.
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First Trip to the Gynecologist: Talk to Your Teen Daughter
Explain to your teen daughter why it’s time for her to see a gynecologist. Keep the lines of communication open, so she’s comfortable talking with you about these personal matters. If your daughter wants to see someone other than your doctor, be understanding and get referrals from friends or your own gynecologist. Tell your teen daughter about the medical procedures that will be part of the exam. Be honest, let her know there might be some discomfort involved in this first visit. The more information she has, the less anxious she’ll be. Ask if she has specific questions for the gynecologist, make a list and bring it to the appointment. Encourage her to be completely honest with the doctor and reassure her that anything she says to the gynecologist will be confidential. Before you go to the doctor’s office, talk with your teen daughter about whether or not she wants you to be with her when talking to the doctor and being examined. Respect her decision one way or another. No matter how much you may think you know about your teen daughter, there’s bound to be some things she’d rather share with the doctor alone – or she just might feel self-conscious discussing intimate matters with her mother sitting next to her. After the appointment, try to make time for you and your teen daughter to talk about the experience; go out afterwards, just the two of you, or set aside time that evening for a mother-daughter talk.
First Trip to the Gynecologist: What Your Teen Daughter Should Expect
On your teen daughter’s first visit to a gynecologist’s office, a nurse will take her height, weight and blood pressure, do other standard tests and get an overall medical history. Since this is your daughter’s first exam, the gynecologist should spend a considerable amount of time just talking with her, to establish comfort and trust between them. Depending on her age and level of sexual activity, the talk might include drug and/or alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and contraception. This is your teen daughter’s chance to ask questions about menstruation and overall adolescent growth and development. Sometimes the gynecologist won’t even do a pelvic exam on the first visit (unless there’s a related medical problem); discuss this with the office when you make the appointment. If an internal exam is performed, there are special instruments other than a speculum that can be used on teen girls. The gynecologist will do a Pap smear to test for cervical cancer and will also manually check the ovaries and uterus. The doctor should also listen to your teen daughter’s lungs and heart, perform a breast exam and show your daughter how to do this herself in the future. Once a girl has begun menstruating and is developing normally, a gynecological exam shouldn’t be overly uncomfortable, but make sure your teen daughter knows that if it’s too painful or stressful, she has the right to halt the procedure and reschedule for another time.
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