Without exaggeration, one of the greatest stresses for teenage girls and their moms is the first examination by a gynecologist. Of course, this procedure is not pleasant, but it is necessary to pass it.
Ideally, healthy girls should undergo gynecological examination at least once a year, starting from the age of 12-14, or more precisely, from the moment of onset of menarche (the first menstruation). And if a girl is previously worried about any unpleasant symptoms (pain in the lower abdomen, discharge, etc.), then the visit to the doctor does not need to be postponed until this moment. There are children's gynecologists working specifically for children and adolescents who are able to most professionally and correctly help in such situations.
In reality, as a rule, girls first turn to a gynecologist closer to 18 years, or with the onset of sexual activity, and more often, unfortunately, with the appearance of any troubling symptoms or the onset of an unwanted pregnancy. Because of fear or embarrassment, the girls try to postpone this visit as much as possible. Sometimes they are afraid of the fact that the doctor and then parents will become aware of the early sexual life. But the lack of proper and timely medical supervision can lead to really serious health problems.
Well, on the shoulders of my mother, as the closest experienced and most experienced of close people, in this situation the task is to make the first visit of the daughter to the gynecologist timely, planned and maximally psychologically comfortable.
In recent years, gynecological examination of adolescents often began to be included in the program of compulsory school health check-up in the senior classes. On the one hand, it removes some problems: parents do not need to act as "enemies" - the initiators of the trip to the doctor, and the girl can survive this "test" together with her contemporaries a little easier than alone. On the other hand, if you are close enough with your daughter and you know that for her a collective approach to a doctor is less comfortable, then keep in mind that you have the right to refuse gynecological examination as part of school health check-up.
Preparation for gynecological examination
In any case, before going to the doctor, be sure to talk with your daughter about what scares her, calm her, tell her about what is waiting for her in the doctor's office. Explain that, although this is not a very pleasant procedure, it can not be called terrible either. In addition, it is necessary for every woman to go through it on a regular basis in order not to worry about health. Try to make a casual conversation with your daughter, or if you doubt your abilities or for some other reason, it will be more convenient, just ask her to read this article. And then take the following steps:
- Do an education campaign. Try to explain to your daughter that you do not need to perceive a doctor as a person who evaluates her behavior or moral qualities. Tell me that he or she (it is better to choose a female doctor for the first visit) simply does his job, which concerns only health. Therefore, it is so important to answer questions honestly asked by the doctor. If the girl is already living a sex life, she is likely to be afraid that my mother will learn some intimate details. As quietly as possible, promise her that no voices in the doctor's office will cause a storm of emotions. And most importantly, do not forget to keep your promise. Caution and restraint in this matter will help you establish a trusting relationship with your daughter for many years to come.
- Discuss the "action plan". Agree in advance whether you will accompany her during a visit to a doctor or she does not need it. One girl is calmer when her mother is around, others can, on the contrary, experience this strain. Maybe your daughter will agree that you wait with her for her turn, but she wants to go to the office alone. Respect her desires. However, if the girl is not yet 15 years old, it is still better if you are with her in the office - you can not "stand over your soul," but wait, for example, behind the screen.
- Choose a gynecologist. Take the doctor's choice very seriously, it's best to do it with your daughter, consulting with her. Call the clinics and paid clinics, ask on the Internet, among friends. Surely you will find reviews about doctors and find a specialist with the best set of professional and personal qualities.
- Stock up on everything you need. Take care that you have with you were looking gloves, a diaper, clean socks for examination on a gynecological chair. Buy a disposable plastic mirror in the pharmacy so that the girl does not have to listen to the frightening clattering of metal reusable mirrors, which are used by doctors of the women's consultation. If you go to a paid clinic, you do not need to bring all this with you.
- Prepare answers to questions. Typically, doctors make data on the beginning of the first menstruation, cycle, past or current diseases, as well as data on sexual activity (whether or not) and methods of contraception.
- Trust the doctor. If you have carefully followed item 3 of this list, you are sure of the qualification of the chosen specialist. It remains only for him to do his job.
How is the gynecological examination?
Inspection of girls on a gynecological chair usually consists of several stages:
- primary examination of the external genitalia;
- palpation of the abdomen;
- inspection by mirrors;
- so-called two-hand inspection, in which the doctor inserts two fingers of one hand in the vagina, and the second hand palpates the abdomen - this examination is necessary to assess the size and condition of the internal genitalia;
- taking smears.
In adolescent girls who do not have sex, examination by mirrors can not be performed, and two-handed examination is often performed through the anus (such an examination is no less informative than usual).
So the most unpleasant part - examination on the gynecological chair - lasts no more than 2 minutes, and the whole visit to the doctor takes about 20 minutes - you must agree, it's not so scary. But now the female health of your daughter is under control, and you can note the experience with her with a pair of some delicious cakes in the nearest coffee house.