At Emory Women Clinic the goal is to offer sensitive and specialized care that girls and young women need to maintain their health and to identify gynecological disorders in time for optimal treatment.

 

Adolescence is a stage of life full of changes and transformations. Sexuality in this period is important, but above all it is essential that adolescents have information at hand during this stage to avoid risky or unhealthy behaviors. At Emory Women Clinic we choose to advise and accompany in this stage, that is why we have created a gynecology unit dedicated exclusively to adolescents.

 

Our mission as professionals is to guide the girls in this process of change and establish a bond of trust and confidentiality, which is strengthened and strengthened over the years.

 

When should an adolescent go to her first consultation?

The first time you go to the gynecologist is an important date in the life of every woman. It is advised that a first visit be made at age 13. In addition, it is recommended that it be before the first sexual relationship, since 30% of adolescents do not use any contraceptive method, in this first relationship.

 

The objective of the consultation is to inform the adolescent about:

 

• Problems in the physiological development of women: menstrual pain, irregular periods or absence of them for two months or more, losses between cycles, difficulty in inserting a tampon, bad smell of vaginal discharge, etc. The appearance, or aggravation of acne, or patterns of body or facial hair distribution.

• Sometimes the reason for the consultation may be about doubts about the development of the body during this period: genital tract, symmetry or development of the breasts ...

• Information on female cancer prevention.

 

Is it necessary to be accompanied?

The consultation must be private and confidential, always respecting your privacy.

However, adolescents can be accompanied by their parents, guardians or partners if they wish.

 

Gynecological examination in adolescents, what does it consist of?

It is important to explain to the adolescent that it is not necessary to perform a pelvic examination when a contraceptive is prescribed or when what she needs is advice and / or clarification of any doubts she may have.

 

However, vaginal cytology is recommended three years after the first sexual intercourse, or depending on risk factors, if you have the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine in place. No special preparation is necessary, it is only recommended to do it once the menstruation has ended.

 

The gynecological examination consists of a pelvic examination with the patient lying on a special table, with a device that is inserted into the vagina, called a speculum, which allows the cervix to be visualized and a flow sample collected for cytological analysis. The sample is sent to the laboratory in search of possible pre-malignant lesions caused by the Human Papillomavirus.

 

Also, an ultrasound is performed with a vaginal ultrasound device and with a probe adapted to this area that allows the uterus and ovaries to be visualized to rule out possible pathologies. These tests are performed by the gynecologist, always in the presence of a nurse and none of them is painful and will be less annoying the more relaxed the patient is.

 

Contraceptive counseling in adolescence.

No person is equal to another. Within the wide range of contraceptive methods there is one that is adapted to each woman in particular. That is why it is necessary to know the adolescent, her needs, her concerns and her medical history. For this, a series of questions is asked with which the doctor will be able to evaluate the risk factors, habits and characteristics of the patient and, thus in consensus, be able to choose the method that best suits her.

 

It is usually asked about the history of gynecological cancers (breast, uterus and ovaries) in the closest family (mother, aunts, cousins, sisters), about diseases that the adolescent suffers and treatments that she uses, onset of the first menstruation, regularity of the same and first day of the last period. Also questions about the initiation of sexual intercourse, the vaccine for the human papillomavirus and toxic habits such as smoking.

 

We will talk about myths (do contraceptives make you fat?) And we will clarify all the doubts that the patient has before using any method. In addition, the consultation will also be aimed at providing information on emergency contraception.

 

Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

It is important that adolescent girls know the risks they are exposed to once they initiate sexual intercourse.

 

A single unprotected sexual contact could transmit a series of diseases that can lead to serious complications for women. Therefore, it is important to know not only sexually contagious diseases but also how to prevent them.

 

Usually young women who use hormonal contraceptives relax in this situation, some think that they are protected against sexually transmitted diseases and see it as a less important problem. They underestimate its complications or simply think that "for once nothing happens." Nothing is further from reality.

 

Another very frequent myth is to think that by having a female partner they are free from contracting an STD (sexually transmitted disease), which is not true either.

 

This consultation is aimed at all women who want to be informed in all aspects related to the transmission, prevention, detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

 

If you have any questions regarding your health, you can make an appointment with our specialists at Emory Women Clinic by calling 442 195 9896 or make an appointment online.