First Gynecologic Exam

Adolescent girls are growing up faster and faster and need questions answered earlier than in previous years. Our practitioners can help with their choices in health care.

Both gynecologists and APRN's have the clinical skills necessary to perform the appropriate assessments.

Making a young woman’s first GYN exam a positive experience will influence future decisions in her health care.Young women frequently feel more at ease with women practitioners.  Women practitioners tend to be less critical, judgmental, and threatening than their male counterparts and are often more conversational.

When do adolescents need to be seen?

The recommended age for the first pelvic exam and Pap smear is 21.  However, a pelvic exam should be done earlier if she is sexually active. Practitioners address many issues with adolescents during this visit.

The sensitive issues and risky behaviors include substance abuse, smoking, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, STD’s and contraception. Questions are both welcomed and encouraged. Written information is made available.

What happens during the first visit?

The first visit starts with getting to know each other. We discuss issues of privacy and confidentiality. It is important that the adolescent has someone to confide in, and we encourage parents to trust us to be that someone for their child.

Certain topics may be discussed in the first visit or at the next follow up, if needed.

The adolescent is given the choice to have their parent present during the exam.

One important aspect of the exam is offering the use of a mirror in order for the young women to view the private parts of their body and to ask any questions they might have.

After the exam...

After the exam is complete the physician discusses the results of the exam, the diagnosis and the management plan with the patient and her parents (if desired). An adolescent girl’s first pelvic exam may be met with anxiety. We seek to make her comfortable and create an atmosphere of trust . This is the best time to give information and set a good example for her health care.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in the Gynecology and Infertility Associates web site should be relied upon for medical education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent judgment of a health care provider. The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary from the medical information provided herein due to individual conditions and/or complications.