What age do you take your daughter for her first "female doctor" visit?

[luvmy3]

But is that a blanket recommendation no matter how old a girl is when she starts her period, or his/her advice only if a girl hasn't started by her late teens?

Because while I would definitely take a 15 or 16 year old who hadn't started for a gyn checkup, I wouldn't think just the act of starting to menstruate would necessitate a visit to a specialist, which is what a gyn is. That just seems weird to me.

I'm not really sure it was mentioned more in passing when I took dd last year when she started *blossuming*. She is only 11 now so I have no plans on taking her for a very very long time .
I know I didn't go when I started my period but I did when I became sexually active, which is much younger than I hope dd will be when I have to bring her. We are due to go in for her 6th grade immunizations so I'll probably talk more about with her ped. at that visit. I was just relaying what my ped. said is a general rule, for all I know she was just covering all the bases, since unfortunately some girls do start becoming sexually active at 12 years old

 

[Took]

Another view:

When DD's pediatrician retired last year, DD was 12. I decided to take her to my (female) gyn for her yearly physical (no PAP or that kind of thing, yet) so that she would begin to feel comfortable talking to this woman before there are issues and more "intimate" physical exams to be endured, lol. My gyn is just great and was happy to take on DD as a patient, even for not strictly gyn-related issues. So far, so good.

 

[aprilgail2]

My mom never took me and I ended up going to Planned Parenthood when I was 18 years old.

If I have a daughter, I think I will talk with her about it but plan on taking her when she turns 16. I'd rather get her in the habit and familiar with it and before any sexual activity becomes tempted then later.
It doesn't even need to be a full gyn visit with exam but maybe an information appointment with the doctor to discuss "life" and the role the doctor will play in her life as a woman would be a good idea. I don't know ... maybe that's stupid.

I agree! My mom never took me either- I took myself to the Dr when I was 17 and it was just sheer dumb luck that I hadn't gotten pregnant prior to taking myself to get on the pill!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

My answer would be, before you think you need to. I'll never forget, coming home from college, and mentioning to my mom that most girls I knew that were my age had been to a gyno and hinting that maybe she should make an appointment for me as well. She said, "Well, are you sexually active? You really don't need to see that type of doctor until your sexually active."

My intelligent, liberated, multiple degree holding, addmittedly did not wait for marriage herself, high school teacher, mother asked me this in the middle of my 70-something year old grandmother's kitchen (yes, in front of my grandma), and expected an honest answer. She didn't get one. I went to university health services by myself.

 

[bettyann29]

I think this is all good advice, but will you know when your child becomes sexually active? Not trying to start a debate, but sometimes parents don't know and the first inclination is when there's a grandchild on the way. Just something to think about.

unfortunately I agree with you.. I think many times the parent doesnt know until its too late..

My ob gyn also said what others are saying here.. that unless they are having problems or sexually active they dont need to go til at least around 18..

 

[PatsGirl]

Why would it be necessary at all unless they are going to a pedi? Personally, I stopped taking my kids to a pedi when they were quite young because I had switched several times and was never able to find one that I really liked. Both kids had GPs, my son a man, my daughter a woman. I also have a GP who does all my female "testing" and sends me for mammos and any other recommended diagnosistic tests. I MUCH prefer having one person handle all my medical issues, whether it be a sinus infection or helping me through menopause.

I just don't understand the need for a specialist (pedi/GYN, etc.) unless there is a specific issue that a GP cannot address.

 

[starrzone]

Why would it be necessary at all unless they are going to a pedi? Personally, I stopped taking my kids to a pedi when they were quite young because I had switched several times and was never able to find one that I really liked. Both kids had GPs, my son a man, my daughter a woman. I also have a GP who does all my female "testing" and sends me for mammos and any other recommended diagnosistic tests. I MUCH prefer having one person handle all my medical issues, whether it be a sinus infection or helping me through menopause.

I just don't understand the need for a specialist (pedi/GYN, etc.) unless there is a specific issue that a GP cannot address.

That's exactly what I was going to post. I'm 27, and have never been to a gynecologist. I asked my family doctor this very question, and the above bolded part is pretty much what he told me. He can do paps in his office just fine, and I've never had the need to go to a gyno.

 

[DMRick]

Most of the younger girls around here go to planned parenthood long before their mother's have a clue they need to. I have a friend who is a school nurse, and she hates making the phone call to the parent, letting them know their young teen is pregnant. She said that not a one of them have ever believed their child was sexually active. My advice is...sooner than you think...or be sure you give them 'alone' time with whatever doctor you do take them too, and ask him/her to start the subject. Many, if not most 15-16 year olds are sexually active and many have been for awhile (including those who go to church every Sunday, whose parents just don't believe it). I know parents don't want to believe this, but it is what it is.

 

[DVCLiz]

Why would it be necessary at all unless they are going to a pedi? Personally, I stopped taking my kids to a pedi when they were quite young because I had switched several times and was never able to find one that I really liked. Both kids had GPs, my son a man, my daughter a woman. I also have a GP who does all my female "testing" and sends me for mammos and any other recommended diagnosistic tests. I MUCH prefer having one person handle all my medical issues, whether it be a sinus infection or helping me through menopause.

I just don't understand the need for a specialist (pedi/GYN, etc.) unless there is a specific issue that a GP cannot address.

That's exactly what I was going to post. I'm 27, and have never been to a gynecologist. I asked my family doctor this very question, and the above bolded part is pretty much what he told me. He can do paps in his office just fine, and I've never had the need to go to a gyno.

You can certainly have a GP do a general gynecological exam, and many women do just that. In our case, we DID stay with a pediatrician until my daughter "aged out" of the practice, and because she was a college student in another state we did not establish a GP for her here in our hometown. She used a combination of student health services, doctor in her college town, and a nurse practicioner in my OBGYN's office for all of her health care needs.

We chose the NP because I like the practice and I like her personally and felt she would be the best choice for my daughter. I do also think there is some merit in choosing someone who has the most experience because I feel more comfortable with someone who does hundreds of paps a year instead of someone who does dozens. That's just a personal preference, though - I know a GP can give a perfectly fine exam and I wouldn't hesitate to do that if it were the best choice.

 

[pigletgirl]

I went for the first time this past spring at age 20 due to severe cramping during that time. The GYN told me that if you're not sexually active or having problems you don't need to be seen till your 21.

 

[Pugdog007]

Yes a GP can do a pap smear, but they don't do them often and many prefer not to.

 

[PatsMom]

My family practitioner does lots of pap smears and has no problem doing them.

My DD is 18 and she has not been to a gyno. She sees a family practitioner. For the last few years she's had a different doctor than me because when DH retired and we moved to northern NH it didn't make sense to keep her primary care in the southern part of the state. I still commute for work so I didn't change.

DD is going to college in two weeks. She is switching back to my primary care doctor. She is very comfortable with her, she's seen her since she was a baby except for the last four years. If it is time for a pap smear and internal pelvic exam, the doctor is very good at them. I just can't see taking a healthy young lady to a specialist for a routine pap and pelvic. Or to discuss birth control options and safe sex.

I'm pretty sure DD has had those talks with her current primary care. I don't take her to the doctor and I haven't since she started driving. Even before that, she always had her private time without me in the room so she could talk to the doctor without Mom there. I haven't been in the room when they did the physical exam since she was 12 or 13 - we are big on respecting privacy at my house. Until she was 16 I would get an update from the doctor after the exam. Now she just tells me the exam results.

 

[daisax]

Most of the younger girls around here go to planned parenthood long before their mother's have a clue they need to. I have a friend who is a school nurse, and she hates making the phone call to the parent, letting them know their young teen is pregnant.

Wow -- school nursing has changed since I was a kid. Why on earth is the school nurse making such calls? Is there a clinic in the school where they're running pregnancy tests or something?

 

[NHdisneylover]

I do prefer to have just the one doctor and have always had my GP handles my paps when I had a GP who would. In Indianna and in Michigan (3 GPs total) they would not do paps

I was one of those teens who went to a clinic (not planned parenthood--but the same type of thing) on my own. Once word got out among my friends that I had gone I went and waited with at least 5 other girls that I can remember (for moral support). Apparently none of us had the kinds of moms who talked about these things

I think I will want my own DD to go in by 16 or so.

 

[locolala]

I wouls prefer going to an OBGYN over a GP for one simple reason.. the OB doc has gone through more extensive training in OB stuff than the GP. Simple as that. I go to a GP for my general health needs, and a gyn for my gyn needs. Most GP docs here won't prescribe BC unless you are perfectly healthy with no abnormalties. I get cysts and have a heart problem, so the GPs here won't give me BC or do paps. I don't mind driving 45 minutes to get to a doc who specialises in this kinda of care.

 

[aprilgail2]

I wouls prefer going to an OBGYN over a GP for one simple reason.. the OB doc has gone through more extensive training in OB stuff than the GP. Simple as that. I go to a GP for my general health needs, and a gyn for my gyn needs. I don't mind driving 45 minutes to get to a doc who specialises in this kinda of care.

I agree! I would never have a GP do an internal exam- I would rather go to someone that specializes in that area rather than just a GP. I don't go to a reg Dr when I want my heart checked- I would go to a cardiologist. Any issue with my foot I would see a podiatrist- why on earth would I see a GP for a GYN exam????

 

[daisax]

I agree! I would never have a GP do an internal exam- I would rather go to someone that specializes in that area rather than just a GP. I don't go to a reg Dr when I want my heart checked- I would go to a cardiologist. Any issue with my foot I would see a podiatrist- why on earth would I see a GP for a GYN exam????

So if you get a rash you go to a dermatologist, and if you get a cold you go to a pulmonologist, and if you are throwing up you go to a gastroenterologist? See a hematologist annually for your bloodwork? A urologist for your urine sample? An ENT doc if you get an earache? What would you see a GP for, then?

As long as the GP is board certified in family and/or internal medicine, they can do a basic pelvic exam very competently, just as they can listen to your lungs and know if you have bronchitis or pneumonia (or at least suspect enough to refer you for further testing), listen to your heart and refer you for further testing, etc. etc.

If you've got complications in one area or another, that's when you need a specialist. If you've got an ongoing relationship with an OB/GYN or expect to be having a baby soon, that's fine, but otherwise there's no reason not to have basic pelvic exams done by your internist as part of your annual exam.

 

[Kath2003]

In the UK you go if:
a) there's a problem
b) you are called for a pap

Which means that most women are in their early 20s before they go.

 

[aprilgail2]

So if you get a rash you go to a dermatologist, and if you get a cold you go to a pulmonologist, and if you are throwing up you go to a gastroenterologist? See a hematologist annually for your bloodwork? A urologist for your urine sample? An ENT doc if you get an earache? What would you see a GP for, then?

.

of course for a rash you would see a dermatologist- why would I go to a GP for a skin disorder??? I would see a GP for a simple thing like a cold or a simple earache- nothing major. A simple yearly physical would be the GP but OMG-no internal by one! Blood work is taken by a local lab. Asthma you see the specialist- wouldn't see a GP for asthma treatment would you??? Would you have a GP do your annual colonoscopy???

 

[monkey68]

I see my GP for my asthma treatment, if it's well controlled, there is no reason to go to a specialist. Also go to them for rashes and things too. I know they also do internal exams, but I'm just not comfortable with that, mostly because I use the doctor's in my school's clinic as my primary care, and they usually also give us lectures, or we'll work with them during our clinical rotations. The idea of them having seen that much of me weirds me out.

Family docs are trained to take care of anything that walks through their doors, it's only when something is more complicated that they refer out. I believe legally, they have to provide the same level of care as a specialist would in treating the disease, and if they are unable to, they must refer out. That means that if you come to them with chest pain and some palpatations going on for a few days, they would be expected to get an EKG, order cardiac enzymes, blood work, etc. Basically the same workup a cardiologist would order, or that could be considered malpractice. Now lets say the EKG shows normal reading, and all the tests come back negative, and you're still having problems? Then it's time for the specialist.

As for the original question, I went around 18. And no way was my mother coming with me. She knew I was going, I just did not want her around for it, way too embarrassing for me.