Added: 12/19/2006 |
Is it too early for the OBGYN? Some Info On Adolescent Health CareApproximately 52% of girls under the age of eighteen are sexual active. This is a shocking statistic! Parents are usually either not aware of the sexual activity or permit it. In either case, when is it time for your teen to see the OBGYN? There is no magic age; however, if your teen has begun ovulating, it is probably a good time to introduce her to an OBGYN. This first appointment can be difficult for both teen and parent.
The best prevention, of course, is abstaining from sexual activity, but nowadays, that is more the exception than the rule among teens. Making sure that your teen is well informed about adolescent health care and how to take good care of her body is one way to begin the discussions necessary to open communication between you and your teen about sexual activity.
According to the journal adolescent health, 85% of parents allow the public schools to educate their teens on sex, sexual health, sexual disorders and diseases and signs and symptoms of irregularities. This is just not acceptable. Parents must take the reigns on making it their responsibility to share with teens what is and what is not acceptable, normal, necessary, and important in their individual lives. Because each one is different, parents are the best teachers in this arena. Leaving adolescent health care up to your teen to discover can be deadly. There are so many misrepresentations among friends, schools and the media! These messages are geared toward a general acceptance of sexual promiscuity among teens. Make sure that you take responsibility for your teen’s adolescent health care! Leaving it to anyone else is a huge disservice to you and your family.
As your teen ages, there are medical issues that may affect her ability to have children or have an overall healthy marriage. Circumventing these issues early is beneficial to your teen and to you teen’s future spouse. Cervical cancers, breast cancer, ovarian cysts; just to name a few, are all too common problems potentially faced by teens. Tumors and small cysts need attention before they grow into larger problems, causing pain and infection. Taking care that your teen is seen on a regular basis by an OBGYN can help her understand the importance of her health. Depending upon the age of the child, these visits need to be, at the very least, annually. Pap tests should be done once every three years for teens up to the age of 19 and every year afterwards. At home tests and self exams of the abdomen and breasts can be done to look for any problems that may need an OBGYN’s attention.
An easy way to ease into these appointments is to allow your teen to come along to YOUR appointments. This will familiarize her with the office, the doctor and what happens during a routine visit. Doing what you can to promote a model of health for your teen will dispel any stigma she might have about being seen by a professional. Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure your teen gets the most real information about reproductive health and what is acceptable and what is not. Do whatever it takes to open the lines of communication in order to ensure your teen a long, healthy, reproductive life.
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