First Gyn Visit

If she is not having problems, I would say wait until she is at least 16. But, talk to her about the exam ahead of time so she is not as frightend about it. My first visit was at 12 and I was scared witless!! My daughter went at 15 (and More informed than I) and had no problems.

D.,

I have a 16 year old daughter she has had her period for 4 years.I was a young mother...16 so I was worried about her going to be the same so I took her to family planning one because I was worried and 2 she had irregular periods...Her periods were corrected on the pill.She no longer takes them since they have corrected.She has never been sexually active so her ped. said she doesn't need a pap test yet.The main thing is just talking to her and making sure she knows what is happening and why....Good Luck!

She shouldn't need to go until she's sexually active (which should hopefully be a while! hehe!)
I have read tho--that it's a good idea to get your teen on the pill by age 17. It greatly reduces their chances of getting cervical cancer.

My daughter is 15, and began her cycle at 12. Our pediatrician said that she did not have to see a GYN until she became sexually active,(she better be married!) so just prior to the wedding, or before, if she is having problems with her cycle,(ie heavy periods, severe cramping etc.) Until she is 18, our pediatrician said she could probably help us with questions and concerns and help us decide if we ever need to see a GYN earlier.

I didn't go until I was pregnant--at age 27! I guess the thing to determine is what she needs from a gyne--what benefit will she get? I think that being about 12 (typical time to start) is way too young to have some strange doctor poking around in your privates. If the gyne isn't going to do anything like that, then your pediatrician may be able to deal with the typical questions or concerns that your daughter may have (if she's more comfortable discussing these things with a doctor than with you). I don't think that I was worse off for not having gone to a gyne when I turned 18; and although the thought crossed my mind if I should when I was married (I was a virgin till then), I never did. If I had had some problems, or had been sexually active, then I can see some reason for going; but I consider "female things" to be normal unless proven otherwise, and therefore not necessary for a doctor's care. (But I don't have girls, so I can't speak as a mother on this one.) :-)

I was raised to view sex before marriage as immoral, so I never even got close. If you are not raising your daughter with the same view, there is a greater likelihood of her having sex and you not knowing about it (although there is the possibility of her having sex even if she has been raised differently). If you think that her having sex is a possibility, then you should take her to the gyne whenever you think it is a possibility (whether that's a certain age, or if her behavior makes you think she's sexually active).

Hi D., my older step daughter went for her fist exam when she was sixteen and she was a late starter with her period. I just sort of played it off, you know went with her, stayed in the room until she was comfortable with me going out to the lobby to wait for her. From everything I've read before, once their cycles start, it is time for the gyn. because of course the ovaries and stuff has become active and needs to be checked up on. I stress this a lot because I am an ovarian cancer survior. Also, just FYI the regular exams do no have any testing (not the pap for sure) that would detect any ovary problems (which is a very serious thing to ingore in my opinion) The tests for ovarian problems are a CA 125 Blook test and ultra sound and I think everyone should be given those tests upon starting the menstrual cycle. And for that matter, at least once a yr or 18 mo. intervals. I was only 31 when it happened and otherwise healthy as a horse.

But getting back to the subject-these days in the modern world girls are prone whether it be behind our backs or what to be sexually active, or least be presented with the opportunities so often that it's probably a really good idea to introduce them to medical help and stuff as soon as their bodies have grown to that stage. I think also it probably just gets them into good habits of being aware of taking care of themselves. These are my thoughts-hope it helps.

I think my first visit to the gyn was when I was 16. I think my first cycle started at 14 or 15. But this is based on my experience.

my Dr told me that they need to be seen within a year of their first cycle, or sooner if they are sexually active. Even if it's not for an exam at least to explain to her what is going on with her body.

I have a daughter that is almost 26. When she started her periods at 12, someone suggested that it was time for her to go to the gynecologist. I asked her pediatrician and he told me that girls don't go to the GYN until they are 18 or sexually active, whichever comes first.

Ask her pediatrician -- he or she will tell you when your daughter needs to go to a gyn. How old is your daughter?

I'm pretty sure the rule is 18 or sexually active, whichever comes first.

It's generally 18 unless there's a specific reason for her to go ( Having terrible cramps or unusual pains, needing birth control, finding a lump in her breast...which is not very likely at that age)

The typical rule that I usually hear is 16. I went for the first time when I was 16. I would add if you ever think that she may be sexually active, that you should take her sooner. The onset of mestraution alone is no reason for her to go to a gynocologist, only if she is having some type of problem.

I agree with the last two comments.Unless she is having problems there is no need for her to go this young. If she must go I would also find a woman doctor. I am sure a gyn visit for a twelve year old is traumatic! I myself changed to a woman doctor and feel much less anxiety over visits. In my experience women doctors are more understanding and sympathetic about female issues and such since they know first hand what you are talking about.

I can't imagine taking a 12 year old to the gyno. Getting your period is a huge change and I don't think it's necessary to get her checked out unless her period is irregular. I'm under the impression you don't need to go before 18 unless you are sexually active. We're here for opinions and mine is that a gyno could be a bit traumatizing at 12.

My daughter is 11 and started her period this past summer. After the initial shock that my baby girl was on her way to womanhood I pulled myself together and called her pediatrician. At first when they start their periods usually aren't to regular and they may or may not have cramping, my pediatrician suggested that when her periods become more regular and if she is having problems at that time with cramping, heavy bleeding etc... then yes, get an exam. However, if she becomes sexually active then she needs an exam before 18. I think it is very important at this stage in our daughters lives to be proactive and to talk to them about the risks of having sex, getting pregnant and that abstinance is best.

Hi D.!

My niece started her period when she was 9 and has a great deal of problems with cysts on her ovaries (the normal kind that has to do with hormones). Anyways...I know that she still goes to her pediatrician and if she has a flare up then they send her to her mother's GYN, but they ONLY do tummy ultrasounds to check things out. So...I personally think that unless her pediatrician thinks that you need to see a GYN, I wouldn't worry about it. She is 15 now and still sees her pediatrician first.

Normally girls don't go to a gyn until they start having sex. I don't believe there is any reason to take a girl just because she has started having her period unless she is experiencing unusual problems with it. If you're not sure when to start just call the gyn that you prefer and ask.

Good luck....and get ready for the drama to start. :o)

Hello,

I was told by my gynecologist that my daughter would not need her first exam until she became sexually active or turned 18, whichever came first. He said that unless she develops severe cramps or an unusual discharge or odor, it is not necessary to bring her in (she'll be 14 years old on Feb. 2 this year, and she started her period when she was 12). I hope this was helpful!

A.

unless she's having problems, she doesn't need to go. just because her cycle is irregular, she doesn't need to go. mine have NEVER been regular and still aren't. if for some reason she does need to go soon, check with the ped, to recommend someone (i would probably choose a female for her is she's really young) or see if the peds office does adolescent GYN (ours does)

I started going to the GYN when I was 13. I got my period around that time, and I had horrible cramps. I was put on birth control pills to help with the cramps and to regulate my heavy periods, and once you start BC Pills they want to see you regularly.

I didn't go until I got engaged and needed to get on birth control before I got married. I was 19.

I didn't go until I was 19 only because I was getting married and needed to get on BCP's. I wouldn't think she needs to go unless she is having complications.

I didn't go until i was 18. I guess if there were some reason to go before that i would have but i was always told 18. The good old teen years :)

My daughters all started at 10!! Totally freaky since I didn't start till I was 16. But they didn't go for their first appointment till 18. I was put on BC pills at 17 because I was having horrible cramps each month, so bad my mom was giving me her pain pills (darvon I think). When they put me on the pill my cramps were so much better. BUT exercise helped that immensely as well. My periods were lighter & easier to handle.

Calling your OB/GYN would be a good thing to do, but I don't feel she needs to see one just yet, unless there are concerns.

I also remember growing up being told that the only women that used tampons were those that had had sex already. If that doesn't make you worry when your daughter starts using them I don't know what will. But one daughter, my 2nd, uses them all the time, her older sister just can't bring herself to do it, people are funny.

It's not necessary for her to have an exam until she is 18...unless she starts having period problems. The friend may have suggested that b/c so many parents go put their daughters on the pill when they start having periods.

your parents probably also assumed you'd wait to become sexually active until you were married. We teach them to wait but they don't always and I think a good GYNO can be your ally in that respect. Also if you are considering guardasil the hpv vaccine I think it is a good idea to have a GYNO answer the questions your daughter has instead of a peditrician. If your dr is awesome like mine just call and ask her! Your GYNO probably answers that same question all the time.

D.,

My advice would be to take her now. Do not wait until 18 or sexually active. You won't know when the sexually active part happens. Get her educated!! I wasn't and got pregnant at 16 with an ectopic pregnancy. My mother had no idea what was going on. I also had two step daughters that I rasied. When they came to live with me I made sure they were educated. Unfortunately, teenagers are starting earlier and earlier these days. It is always good to be prepared. Talk to the gyne first and ask him/her to talk frankly to your daughter. You won't believe how much that could help in the long run.

Good luck.

E.

D....I did not go to a GYN until I was 17 and that was only because I was pregnant. Rule of thumb is 18. If you are concerned about it and think you should go sooner, call a GYN and see what they say. I wouldn't think that she would need to go before she was at the least 15. Hope this helps. Contact me if you need any further assistance. Good luck.

Hi D., My name is H.. I have an 11 year old daughter who started her period last June. I wouldn't take your daughter until she has had her period for a year. At that time then if she is still having irregular periods and might need some help then I would take her. I don't intend to take Taylor for a while yet. I think that she is a little young. Maybe your daughter is too.