Relax: It's just a "meet-and-greet," says Leah Millheiser, MD, of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' recommendation that a girl's first visit to the ob/gyn happen between the ages of 13 and 15. (She's reassuring moms, not their daughters, by the way.)
In a recent blog post on DrLeahM.com, Millheiser outlines the structure of a typical first visit for a teenager, including exam protocols, discussion topics, and common recommendations such as the HPV vaccine.
Among the objectives for this first appointment, ideally before it's necessary, Millheiser writes: "A teen can get to know the gynecologist, so that if there ever is a problem and the doctor is needed, the girl will feel more comfortable in what can be a very vulnerable situation."
Previously: Young, single, dating – and a breast-cancer survivor, Ask Stanford Med: Director of Female Sexual Medicine Program responds to questions on sexual health, Packard Children’s adolescent and young adult specialist offers tips for college-bound students, Shining the spotlight on women’s sexual health and HPV-associated cancers are rising, HPV vaccination rates still too low, new national report says
