14 Year Old Teenager

So Moms, how are YOU going to know when your daughter is sexually active? DO you think she would tell you right off? Or hopefully BEFORE? Do you think she will anounce she needs to have a pelvic exam? I would probably fall out of my chair if my 14yo said that to me!

Pediatricians don't want to deal with this issue too much - most do not offer pelvic exams and they do not evan have the right exam table in their office. In nursing school (25 years ago!) they lectured us that as "responsible young women" we needed to address this by age 18. Here I was sitting there at age 19 and yes, sexually active with my fiance. I went back to the dorm and made an appointment for my first exam.

I have twin 14 yo's. And no, they have not had a pelvic exam, but this conversation has got me thinking. So I have an appointment for myself next month and I am going to ask my nurse practioner (OB/GYN Nurse practioners and nurse-midwives are typically excellent with younger girls) about this issue and follow her recommendation. I think I will probably start them before they start high school next year just as part of the transition.

My girls are older but, I took them when they turned 18. (unless they are having problems)

I was always told that you should have your first exam when you turn 18 or when you become sexually active. I actually ended up going to my first one after i turned 18 but had become sexually active...

Hi S.,

My pediatrician told me my 14 yr old doesnt need to see a obgyn until she's sexually active or 18 years of age.

Which seems right to me....

Rach

I would say 18 or sexually active, unless she's having a health issue you're concerned about or problems with her periods.

Your daughter should see her GYN as soon after her first period as possible. It's never too early to establish a pattern of taking care of herself and her health.

Some people say to wait until she's 16 or 18 or sexually active. That would be a mistake. If she's having her period she's also having an influx of hormones that can cause future issues.

I had a friend who had cervical cancer at 15. She was never sexually active and had no family history of the disease. Her doctor said that a yearly PAP smear starting the year she started her period could have detected the problem earlier.

to my knowledge you take them once they have started their period

My daughter is 16 and hasn't been to obgyn yet. I'd been told that they don't really need to go until they are sexually active or have any other problems. I will probably take her this year just for a check up.

I just recently asked my OBGYN this question in regards to my daughter. She said not unless they are having problems or they are sexually active then I would need to bring her in. She said 18-20 otherwise.

L.

S.,
Your daughter should go to the OB/GYN when she has her first period. This will be traumatic for her so make sure you get all the information about periods(if she hasn't started)and what will happen on her appointment. If you call the office they could probably mail information to you or set up a pre-visit visit.
Good Luck!!
R.

The 18, or when sexually active seems to be the standard, but you do want to get her in for a Gardasil injection. The Center for Disease Control is recommending it for ages 11-12...13-26 for those who have not yet been vaccinated. That should be able to be taken care of at your family doctor as well, though.

I, too, have a 14 yr old daughter. My parents are in the medical field and I asked my mother what was the normal age. She said that the regular physician is fine until the girl becomes sexually active. Thankfully, that's not now! If you feel she may become active, then taking to a female physician to be seen the first time is usually easier.

Hi S.,
I have a 13 year old daughter and I have not taken her to the obgyn yet. It is my opinion that age 13, 14, even 15 or 16 is too young. It is a very traumatic experience, especially when they are going through so many changes at this age. And when you do decide to take her, I would recommend using a woman at first. I remember going (I think I was 18) and feeling so much more comfortable with a woman doctor. I hope this helps!
C. C.

I about 14, but that was because I was dangerously irregular. If there is nothing wrong with her periods then there really isn't any reason to take her until she is about 18. It really is up to you, your doctor and your daughter. Do what you all are comfortable with.

You do not need to go for a exam until you are at least 18 unless you are sexually active. Even my 19 year old had period problems and went when she was 16 and they did not do a paps on her.

I have been told that you don't need to start having girls see the OBGYN till they are sexually active or 21, whichever comes first. I have a twelve year old daughter so my time will be coming too! Lets hope 21 comes first!

I personally think it's important for young women to start visiting the OBGYN when they first start their period. I think it's important to learn the importance of women's health at a young age. Additionally, she may be more willing to ask questions of a doctor verses their parents. Also, the doctor may share information that as a mother we may not think of telling her yet.

Knowing about STD's and safe sex at a young age is very important especially BEFORE she is sexually active or even thinking about it. I think young women need to understand the risks and feel comfortable with their sexuality, so they feel confident in themselves and saying "no".

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you can take her whenever you feel it's time to learn about safe sex and all that. i worked for an ob-gyn for 5 yrs.......they will NOT examin her unless she is sexually active or have a problem. i think it's a great idea to take her now so you can start to discuss birth control and everything. i know you don't want to think about that kind of stuff it's better if she's educated about everything. we would have 13 yr olds coming in pregnant. scary:(

Is she sexually active or something? Because that seems YOUNG! I have a 14 year old little sister, and I can't imagine her going to an OBGYN appt. yet. I would look it up on the internet to see at what age doctors recommend girls having their first exam. Then, at that point, if it says 14, I would sit her down and explain to her exactly what is done during the exam, and tell her why it's important to have it done. I would also leave it up to her if she'd like you to be in the room with her or not. If she's sexually active, I would talk to her about respecting her body and would definitely talk about what can happen if she gets pregnant and how it would affect her life now and in the future. I personally didn't get my first exam until I was 16.

I took my daughter at 14 to get on birth control. She wasn't sexually active but she has a lot of problems with her monthly so this regulated it.
Talk to her doctor about it and see what he thinks.
Hope this helps.

I was always told 18 or sexually active. Unless she starts having issues with her periods.

The general rule is age 18 or you've become sexually active. I can't imagine a 14 year old understanding why they'd have to get a well woman exam, unless she is irregular or having problems of some sort, you don't want to scare her into not going in the future. I most definitely think that as soon as she starts her period is too soon, some girls start at age 10 or even younger! Talk to you pediatrician if you aren't sure and even then, go with what you think feel right for your daughter. Good luck!

I have heard that as soon as she gets her period she should start seeing the GYN, OB, or a Midwife so that they have a history if anything should come up.

hey shelly take her now with your past because the sooner the better and talk about the vaccinantion too because when she does become active (at 40) ha ha she will be protected but it is usually when she starts her periods tell her no sex or boyfriends until 40 or javi will get her ha ha get an appointment now

I didn't have my first OBGYN appointment until I was pregnant at 20. I was a little nervous because I thought/had heard I should have went earlier. I talked to my OB about it ans she said it wasn't really a big deal in my case. I never had problems before.

S., I don't believe she needs to go untill she's 18 or sexually active or if she is having problems. My daughter is just 18 and the only reason she went is because of some regularity problems. Because she is not sexually active they did not do an exam as the medicine they put her on is working.

You might also call your OBGYN and ask them what thier policy is.

Hope that helps.

C. R.

It is suggested by CDC that you go to your first OBGYN appointment at age 18 or when you become sexually active, which ever comes first.