5 Questions to Ask at a Well-Child Exam
Well-child exams can help keep your child as healthy as possible, now and into the future. Consider these important questions to ask your pediatrician at your next visit.
When and Why Your Teen Should Start Having Routine Gynecology Visits
Your teen’s gynecological health is just as important as the rest of their health and well-being. So, just how proactive should you be?
Scheduling routine gynecology visits – as early as recommended – can support your teen’s current wellness and set them on track for a vibrant adulthood.
Our expert team at Sellwood Medical Clinic, with four locations in the metro Portland area, provides adolescent gynecology care to empower young patients with the quality health care, knowledge, and support they need at this stage of life.
Here’s a look at when to start scheduling routine gynecology checkups for your teen, as well as related benefits to embrace.
When to schedule a gynecology exam for your teen
We recommend gynecological visits for teen girls starting ages 10-15 or when they become sexually active, if that’s sooner. The same goes for trans and nonbinary teens who were assigned female at birth.
Over 50% of youth have had sexual intercourse by age 18 in the United States. If you aren’t sure whether or not your teen has been sexually active, it may be best to aim for sooner versus later as a precaution.
Benefits of gynecology visits for your teen
Gynecology care for teens provides a range of benefits that help ensure their health and well-being, including:
- A chance to build a positive doctor/patient relationship
- Tending to any menstrual health challenges
- Contraception education and guidance
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Most STIs are treatable, especially when they’re addressed early. And many STIs occur without any obvious symptoms. When STIs go untreated, they can lead to potentially serious complications, such as fertility problems and cancer-related risks.
Your provider can also talk to you about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is currently recommended for all adolescents as a means of cancer prevention.
What happens at your teen’s gynecology appointment
Our compassionate team at Sellwood Medical Clinic strives to create the most comfortable and supportive environment possible for adolescents. In addition to discussing personal and family medical history, menstruation, and sexual activity, your provider will answer any questions your teen has without judgment.
Teen pelvic exams are only performed in certain cases, such as to assess medical issues, like pelvic pain or heavy menstruation, and for sexually active teens seeking birth control. Pelvic exams are only performed with consent and usually take just a few minutes to complete.
To learn more or schedule a gynecological visit for your teen, call Sellwood Medical Clinic today or book an appointment online here. We’d love to help protect your teen’s health as they journey toward adulthood.
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