Girls should visit a gynecologist during pre-adolescence, prior to the onset of menses. Once a girl has her first period, a visit to the gynecologist should be, at least, an annual event.
Visiting the doctor is never comfortable, but the first very personal visit to a gynecologist can be scary for young girls. Knowing what to expect and can help make the process less intimidating while it empowers a girl to be an advocate for her health.
Choosing a Gynecologist
Some women are more comfortable with male doctors while some prefer females. Some women like older doctors while others are more comfortable with younger ones. Parents should discuss preferred gender of the doctor for their daughter and then respect the daughter's choices and reasoning.
Additionally, there might be language barriers if a doctor doesn't speak English as his or her first language. While a parent might be able to understand the doctor, it's important their daughter also be able to communicate comfortably, so speaking ability and language could be important.
Lastly, education and experience might be considering factors as well. A doctor who has worked with adolescents and teens or preteens will be more likely to understand and respect a young girls concerns than a doctor who primarily sees obstetrics patients or older women. All these things should be considered and perhaps discussed with a pediatrician before finding a doctor for the first gynecological visit for a woman.
Talking to the Doctor
For the first visit to a gynecologist, a young woman should expect to meet with the doctor before the examination. Some doctors will not allow parents to be with the patient during this talk. This allows patients to be honest about sexual activity and health problems she might be unable to or embarrassed to share in front of a parent.
The doctor will ask questions that might seem embarrassing. These questions include things like when the patient first started her period, how regular her periods are, and if there are any problems. Expect the doctor to ask whether the patient uses tampons or pads and whether or not any birth control is being used or requested.
The doctor will ask about sexual activity. If the patient is a minor, it’s important she know the doctor is not allowed to tell her parents if she admits to sexual activity. It’s important the doctor know about sexual activity, but the medical staff breaks the law if they share that information with the parents without patient’s consent.
The Gynecological Physical Examination
The gynecological exam is the next step in a first visit to a gynecologist. If the patient desires, a parent or friend can be in the room during this examination. If the doctor is male, a female nurse can be in the room during the exam.
This gynecological exam will require the patient to remove clothing, including bra and undergarments. A gown is provided to change into.
The doctor will listen to the heart, lungs and abdomen, asking the patient to breath and do other things to facilitate this.
The doctor will likely perform a breast exam. This exam requires the doctor to palpate both breasts and examine the areola and nipple, as well as palpating the underarm area. Patients might receive instructions on how to perform monthly self-breast exams. Because breast exams do not exchange body fluids, some doctors don’t use gloves, but they should wash their hands.
The pelvic exam differs for each woman. If a girl isn’t sexually active, is very young, has not begun menstruating, and she is not having any complications or a family history of female problems, it’s possible the doctor will choose not to perform a pelvic exam at all.
Some doctors might choose only to feel ovaries and visually inspect the vaginal area. If the patient has problems or a family history of female disorders or cancer, the doctor might choose to perform a full pelvic exam and Pap test during the first visit. A small speculum can be used, and if the hymen—a thin tissue that covers the cervical opening between the vaginal opening and the cervix—is not torn, the doctor can take measures to ensure it stays intact. This exam, while uncomfortable for some, is not painful.
Feeling the ovaries requires the doctor to insert gloved fingers into the vagina and press on the abdomen. This should not be painful.
Blood and Other Lab Tests
The doctor might order blood or urine tests. If it’s possible the patient is pregnant, the doctor can request a pregnancy test as well.
The results from the exam are discussed during the first visit, and lab test results can take anywhere from a day or two up to several weeks. If everything is normal, another exam might not be scheduled until the next year or unless the patient has concerns or symptoms.
Disclaimer: this information is based on the most likely scenario for a first-time gynecological exam. Every woman and every doctor is different, so every exam will be slightly different too. Only doctors or health care professionals can diagnose and treat problems, so patients should discuss any problems with their doctors.
Michelle L Devon - ~~Michelle Devon has 15 years of writing and over a decade of editorial experience, working with hundreds of publications and ...
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