Pediatric gynecology

Does it make sense to see a pediatric gynecologist at a tender age, long before adult problems appear? It turns out that it’s better to do this as early as possible! The fact is that it is during childhood and adolescence that it is easiest to prevent gynecological diseases. Let’s try to understand this situation and get answers to a number of questions.

Why Should a Minor Girl See a Gynecologist? Every girl, regardless of age, has the same reproductive organs as an adult woman. According to specialists’ observations, between 15 to 25 percent of preschool-age girls and adolescent girls who have not yet reached adulthood suffer from various gynecological pathologies.

These include inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs, cysts, fibroids, and menstrual dysfunction. They must be identified and treated in a timely manner. Otherwise, they can not only undermine a girl’s health but also cause reproductive dysfunction later in her childbearing years.

When should a child first be shown to a doctor?

First examination of external genitalia is performed in the maternity hospital shortly after the baby’s birth. The second — during puberty, at 12-14 years old, when most girls have already started menstruating. Once girls reach 14 years of age, they are recommended to visit a gynecologist independently or with their parents once a year.

Main reasons for pediatric gynecology examination

The primary reason for adolescent girls and 17-18-year-old young women to visit a gynecologist is delayed menstruation. Indeed, this symptom cannot be ignored, as it may indicate that the young woman is pregnant.

The longer menstruation is absent, the more difficult it becomes to “restart” the reproductive system again. Not all cases end well. Cessation of menstruation caused by a sharp weight loss can contribute to infertility in the future.

However, it is much wiser to visit a gynecologist before, rather than after, starting sexual life, so that the doctor can help the young woman choose the most suitable contraception method for her.

One should react equally actively to such alarming signals in pediatric gynecology as the appearance of vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, as well as itching and burning in the external genital area and during urination.

Such concerning symptoms are characteristic of girls of any age — from infants to adolescents. If a 6-7-year-old girl shows breast development and hair growth, or conversely, by age 14 she shows neither, parents should together with a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist figure out what is happening.

Are period pains a reason for examination?

Every third girl experiences heaviness in the lower abdomen on the first day of menstruation, pulling or cramping pains caused by uterine immaturity. Over time, they indeed disappear or significantly diminish.

If menstruation is so painful, one should not passively wait or experiment with various painkillers: the consequences of such self-treatment can be absolutely unpredictable.

It has been established that painful menstruation in most cases is a symptom of a number of gynecological diseases. Therefore, a girl whose menstruation is accompanied by severe pain must be examined by a pediatric or adolescent gynecologist.

In order to obtain the maximum amount of useful information, a pediatric gynecologist must find an individual approach to each of her patients and establish psychological contact with her. Only in this case can one hope for success in diagnosis and treatment.

If you want to undergo pediatric gynecology examination in a calm and friendly atmosphere, get tested for infections, be screened for inflammatory diseases, determine hormonal levels, take any other tests, have an ultrasound performed, i.e., undergo comprehensive laboratory diagnostics, receive a consultation from a pediatric gynecologist and other doctors, please contact our clinic.