Your Daughter’s First Gyn Visit

Do you remember your first visit to the gynecologist?

Now, here you are with a daughter at that stage in life—and her generation faces more complex sexual choices and risks than yours did.

There’s no set age for the first gyn visit. The national recommendation is a Pap test (cervical cancer screening) within three years of the start of sexual activity, and no later than age 21. But mothers don’t always know when their daughters become sexually active—and in any case, it’s wise for her to get acquainted with her doctor or nurse practitioner early.

“If she hasn’t done so before, she should see a health provider before heading off to college or when she finishes high school,” says gynecologist Kristin Friel, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. It’s not just about sexuality, she says. “Your daughter should feel free to see her doctor about any reproductive health problem, such as unusual vaginal discharge, heavy bleeding, or painful or irregular periods.”

Young women who have been sexually active should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Depending on your daughter’s situation, the doctor may perform a pelvic (internal) exam to make sure everything is developing normally.

The dreaded pelvic exam! “Many of my teen patients hear horror stories from their friends, which makes it hard for them to relax,” says Friel’s colleague Lori Cooper, a certified nurse practitioner specializing in gynecology. You can help ease your daughter’s worries by explaining the basics and addressing any specific fears. Cooper does that, and describes what she’s doing as the exam progresses. “It’s never as bad as they think it will be,” she says.

Want to Know More about Pap tests and pelvic exams? click here.

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