How to prepare your teen for her first gynaecological appointment

There are various phases in life a person has to go through. They tend to get lost in that life cycle and what we don’t understand is that these are the part and parcel. One such time is for a parent when their kids turn into a teen. It is that phase where there are numerous changes in one’s life. When a kid turns into a teen, it is time for them to visit a gynaecologist . As dangerous as it sounds, it is nothing of big a deal. It is also said that going to their first gynaecological check-up can be frightening or uncomfortable for many adolescent girls. As their mother (or father, aunt, or friend), your support and counsel may alleviate her worry and help her have a great first experience. But how can you help your adolescent prepare for her first gynaecological consultation? It can be by advising her on when and where to attend, as well as providing an outline of what she may expect during the session.

Know from Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital , Kharghar about those many advice that you can give to your girl! Her first appointment will most likely be extremely different from yours! A trip to the doctor may be fraught with concerns and worry, and this is especially true for a teen’s first gynaecological check-up.

Here are many things you should let your kids know and topics that should be discussed prior to the very first appointment.

When should your adolescent’s first OBGYN appointment be?

Parents, like children, sometimes avoid “the talk” about “the birds and the bees.” You should let them know that preparing for a gynaecological check-up is a natural transition. It is a reminder that your daughter is need for sexual safety. Encourage your adolescent to make her first OBGYN appointment if:

– She has questions about the changes in her body; she has atypical periods; her periods are interfering with her everyday life; she no longer feels comfortable with her physician; and she wants to learn about birth control alternatives.

– She is sexually active or is relocating after graduating from high school and needs a new medical provider.

What should your daughter ask the doctor during the appointment?

This is also a great chance to ask any burning questions they may not feel comfortable addressing you or ones for which you may not have answers. Discuss with your daughter and have her develop a list of questions to bring to the visit which needs answers on priority. Always remember to let your daughter know that it is okay to ask any and every question to your gynaecologist. As per Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, young patients seek the treatment of a gynaecologist for answers about menstrual cycles, heavy menstruation (periods), tampons, pads, among many others.

An appointment to the gynaecologist begins with a discussion. It is that it all comes down to how you convey it to both the patient and the doctor. For example, a pelvic exam is not always included in visits, and a pap smear is usually not conducted until a patient is 21 years old. Such information should always be passed to teen girls.

Always remember that the very first OBGYN appointment for your daughter is a crucial milestone in laying the groundwork for lifelong good health. But there are also chances that it may also be a little unsettling and nerve-racking for you as a parent. Let’s face it, you’re still unsure of how you feel about your daughter becoming a young woman but some day you have to accept that and what can be better than becoming their friend so you can help them through this cycle.

Here is all you need to know about cervical screening

Hi girls! Hope you are doing well! Now that you read the title, we are sure that you want to know all the answers to your questions when it comes to cervical screening . More often than not, whenever a woman hears the word “cervical screening”, they come across various questions and more specifically, they grow anxious. But what is cervical screening and what happens in it? Know from Dr Manju Gupta (Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital , Noida) everything you have to.

As per Dr Manju, “while cervical screening may be uncomfortable or embarrassing for some women, the importance of the ‘smear test’ cannot be overstated.” Though we don’t understand, but there are various reasons why women would decide against going to a screening. One of the most common misunderstanding is that the test is for cancer, when in fact it is not. You read that right! It’s a test to prevent cancer by detecting the abnormalities early on. It allows for monitoring or treatment thus preventing the development of cervical cancer .

What are the tests for this cervical screening?

“The Pap Smear test” and the “HPV test” are both designed to detect cervical cancer early to help prevent it.

Now you must be wondering, what is the purpose of these tests? Know here!

The purpose of an HPV test is to look for the human papillomavirus ( HPV ), which can alter cervical cells. Whereas, the Pap test , commonly referred to as a Pap smear, examines cervical cells for precancerous changes that, if left untreated, could develop into cervical cancer.

What precisely happens during a Pap test?

So the procedure says that a sample of cervical cells is taken from the cervix through the vagina during the test. Samples are taken using a cotton swab or brush after a special device called a speculum is placed into the vagina. Then, this sample is sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope in order to find any abnormalities. It takes fewer than five minutes to complete this process.

Before the screening, it is very important to know how should you prepare yourself for the screening. Read ahead to find out.

You don’t need to do anything particular to get ready for your HPV or Pap test! You can take precautions to ensure the accuracy of the test results if you are having a Pap test. For two days prior to the test, refrain from sexual activity, douching, using spermicidal foam or vaginal medications. Go for your visit as scheduled and let the doctor know whether you had sex prior to the test. Don’t worry if you are on your period, both the tests can still be carried out.

Are you wondering if this Pap smear test hurt?

The Pap Smear test is generally not painful, but some discomfortable sensation can be felt during and after the procedure, which may last for a few hours. This is due to the complexity of the procedure involved in collecting cervical cells.

When should you get screened?

You should begin having Pap tests at age 21. Your doctor might advise you to wait three years before your next Pap test if the results of your Pap test are normal and you are in the age between 21-29. If you are in the age range of 30 to 65, your doctor may suggest just the HPV test or a combination of HPV and Pap Smear or just a Pap Smear test.

Something you should know about the result-

If your HPV test results are normal, your doctor can advise you to wait five years before your subsequent screening. If the result for co-testing, i.e, Pap test and an HPV screening is normal, your doctor might advise you to wait five years before your next screening.

If the result for the Pap Smear test is normal, your doctor might advise you to postpone your subsequent Pap test for three years. For those over the age of 65, your doctor might advise you that you no longer require screening if you haven’t had a cervical pre-cancer in the past, you’ve had normal screening test results for several years, or you had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for a non-cancerous issue like fibroids.

What are the early warnings of cervical cancer?

-Abnormal vaginal discharge
-Bleeding between two menstrual cycles
-Pain during sexual activity

These three are all potential early warning indicators of cervical cancer. Even if a Pap test is clear, these symptoms should prompt a trip to the gynaecologist to rule out the cause of these symptoms.

 

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