A first visit with a gynecologist can feel intimidating, especially when you're not sure what to expect. Many teen visits are mostly about talking, answering questions, and making sure you have the information you need to take care of your health.
You don't need to have a problem to see a gynecologist, and you don't need to know exactly what questions to ask before you come.
Your visit will depend on your age, health history, and the reason you're coming. We may talk about things like:
Periods – what's normal, painful or heavy periods, irregular cycles, and ways to manage symptoms
Vaginal and vulvar health – discharge, itching, irritation, or other concerns
Sexual health – questions about sex, sexually transmitted infections, and ways to stay healthy
Birth control – whether you need contraception now or simply want to understand your options
Preventive health – vaccines, healthy habits, and other ways to take care of your health
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You don't need to do anything special before your appointment. You do not need to shave, wax, or otherwise groom, and it's usually okay to come if you're on your period.
You're welcome to bring a parent, caregiver, or another support person. It can also be helpful to know what medications you take and, if possible, the first day of your last period.
Usually not. Most teens do not need a pelvic exam as part of a routine first gynecology visit.
If you're having certain symptoms, a pelvic exam or other examination may sometimes be helpful. If an exam is recommended, we'll explain what we want to do and why before we do anything.
Routine cervical cancer screening (Pap testing) generally begins at age 21, regardless of when someone becomes sexually active.
Parents and caregivers are welcome to be part of the visit, and their knowledge of your medical and family history can be very helpful.
We also typically spend part of the visit speaking with teens privately. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions or discuss concerns that you may feel more comfortable talking about one-on-one.
We want you to feel comfortable asking questions about your health. We'll explain what information can remain private and when a safety concern may require us to involve a parent, caregiver, or another trusted adult.
Puberty happens at different ages and progresses at different rates. In girls, breast development is usually the first sign of puberty, followed by other changes such as pubic and underarm hair, a growth spurt, and eventually the first menstrual period. Periods typically begin about 2–3 years after breast development starts.
There is a wide range of normal, but we may recommend evaluation when puberty seems to be starting particularly early or late. Please talk with your healthcare provider if:
Breast development or pubic hair begins before age 8
There is no breast development by age 13
Menstrual periods have not started by age 15
These findings do not necessarily mean something is wrong, but they may be a reason to look more closely at growth, development, and hormone function.
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Periods can vary quite a bit during the first few years after they begin. It is common for cycles to be somewhat irregular at first as the body's hormone patterns mature.
Periods should not, however, routinely interfere with school, sports, sleep, or everyday activities. Very heavy bleeding, significant pain, or periods that are unusually frequent, infrequent, or absent are all good reasons to talk with your healthcare provider.
During the first few years after periods begin, cycles may not always arrive on exactly the same schedule. Most periods last 7 days or less, and cycles gradually become more predictable with time.
We may want to look more closely if periods are very heavy or painful, last longer than 7 days, occur very frequently, or if you go 3 months or longer without a period.
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Teens (Childrens Hospital Colorado, video)
Are Irregular Periods Common in Teens? (Childrens MD, video)
There are many ways to manage your period, and there is no single “best” menstrual product. Pads, tampons, menstrual cups, discs, and period underwear can all be safe options. You can use whichever products feel most comfortable for you, and many people use different products depending on the day or activity.
Pads & period underwear are worn outside the body and can be a great place to start if you're new to periods.
Tampons are worn inside the vagina and can be especially convenient for swimming, sports, or other activities. Tampons are safe to use at any age once periods begin, and using a tampon does not affect virginity. Choose the lowest absorbency that works for your flow and change tampons regularly, generally every 4–8 hours. Never leave a tampon in for longer than 8 hours.
Menstrual cups & discs are reusable or disposable products worn inside the vagina to collect menstrual blood. They can take a little practice to insert and remove, but they are another safe option for teens who are interested in using them.
For routine hygiene, gentle care is best. Wash the outside of the vulva with water and, if desired, a mild unscented soap. You do not need to clean inside the vagina or use douches, scented wipes, sprays, or other “feminine hygiene” products. The vagina naturally cleans itself.
Birth control isn't only used to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal birth control can also be used to help manage heavy or painful periods, irregular bleeding, acne, and other menstrual symptoms. Some methods can be used to make periods lighter, less frequent, or sometimes stop them altogether.
There are many safe and effective birth control options for teens. The best choice depends on your health, your goals, how you feel about having a period, and whether pregnancy prevention is needed.
Hormonal birth control can be used even when pregnancy prevention isn't the goal. We commonly use it to treat painful, heavy, or irregular periods and to reduce how often periods occur.
It is medically safe for most people to skip periods while using hormonal birth control. You do not need to have a monthly period for your body to “clean itself out.” If menstrual suppression is one of your goals, we can talk about which options are most likely to work well for you.
Sexual health is an important part of overall health, and it's okay to have questions. You can talk with us about relationships, sexual activity, consent, pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual orientation, or any other concerns without judgment. You do not need to be sexually active to ask questions or learn how to protect your health. If you are sexually active, we can help you understand options for pregnancy prevention, STI testing and prevention, and safer sex.
Healthy relationships should involve respect, trust, communication, and boundaries. You should never feel pressured or afraid to participate in sexual activity or anything else that makes you uncomfortable.
Consent means freely choosing to participate in sexual activity. It can be changed or withdrawn at any time, and someone who is intoxicated, unconscious, or otherwise unable to make a decision cannot give consent.
If you ever feel unsafe in a relationship or aren't sure whether something you're experiencing is okay, you can talk with us privately. We can help you find support.
Many STIs can occur without causing symptoms, so testing may be recommended based on your age and sexual history even if you feel completely well. Condoms can reduce the risk of many STIs, and vaccines can help prevent infections such as HPV and hepatitis B.
Gynecologic health is connected to your overall physical and emotional health. Teen visits are also an opportunity to talk about vaccines, nutrition and exercise, body image, mental health, substance use, relationships, and other concerns that affect your well-being.
The HPV vaccine helps prevent several types of cancer, including most cervical cancers. It works best when given before exposure to HPV and is routinely recommended beginning at ages 11–12, although vaccination can begin as early as age 9. If you haven't completed the HPV vaccine series, we can talk about whether additional doses are recommended.
Your emotional health and safety matter just as much as your physical health. You can talk with us privately about anxiety, depression, bullying, substance use, feeling unsafe, or anything else you're struggling with.