Pediatric Gynecology |
Dr. Malley has been a member of the National Association of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology for 20 years and attends their conferences annually most years.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends that young women have their first visit with an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) between the ages of 13 and 15. Making sure that first appointment is with a pediatric gynecologist can have added benefits. Specific symptoms (vaginal bleeding or discharge, abnormal appearance of genitalia) or abnormalities (congenital anomalies, chronic disease impacting reproductive health, or ovarian masses) may necessitate earlier referral.
These visits provide an opportunity for anticipatory guidance regarding reproductive health care (including an age-appropriate discussion of anatomic development, body image, self-confidence, weight management, immunizations (particularly the HPV vaccine), contraception and sexually transmitted infections). This visit is also an opportunity for the doctor to establish a relationship with the patient and parent or guardian, discuss normal and abnormal pubertal development, dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding weight, development and sexuality and help adolescent girls become comfortable with their changing bodies.
Other reasons a child might be referred to a gynecologist:
1. vaginal itching
2. vaginal bleeding
3. vulvovaginal pain
3. vulvar rash
4. labial adhesions/agglutination
5. abnormal anatomy
6. early breast or pubic hair development
7. early puberty
8. late puberty
9. no period by age 16, no breasts by age 14
10. heavy periods
11. painful periods
12. pelvic pain
13. straddle injuries
14. following sexual assault
15. tampon use instruction
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends that young women have their first visit with an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) between the ages of 13 and 15. Making sure that first appointment is with a pediatric gynecologist can have added benefits. Specific symptoms (vaginal bleeding or discharge, abnormal appearance of genitalia) or abnormalities (congenital anomalies, chronic disease impacting reproductive health, or ovarian masses) may necessitate earlier referral.
These visits provide an opportunity for anticipatory guidance regarding reproductive health care (including an age-appropriate discussion of anatomic development, body image, self-confidence, weight management, immunizations (particularly the HPV vaccine), contraception and sexually transmitted infections). This visit is also an opportunity for the doctor to establish a relationship with the patient and parent or guardian, discuss normal and abnormal pubertal development, dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding weight, development and sexuality and help adolescent girls become comfortable with their changing bodies.
Other reasons a child might be referred to a gynecologist:
1. vaginal itching
2. vaginal bleeding
3. vulvovaginal pain
3. vulvar rash
4. labial adhesions/agglutination
5. abnormal anatomy
6. early breast or pubic hair development
7. early puberty
8. late puberty
9. no period by age 16, no breasts by age 14
10. heavy periods
11. painful periods
12. pelvic pain
13. straddle injuries
14. following sexual assault
15. tampon use instruction
