I have heard that it's better to have a history with a GYN or midwife BEFORE problems come up instead of waiting until there is a problem. She may not need to go every year, but being seen now that she has gotten her period would be a good way to establish a relationship and then she could go again in a couple years for a pap. No one is too young (nor too abstinent) to get cervical cancer, so if she starts getting screened earlier, the more chance there is of catching it early if she were to get it.
A lot of people will say it can wait until she's sexually active, but I think they are kidding themselves to think their daughter will be upfront with them as soon as she does start having sex. I know I didn't tell my parents. Luckily, my mom had already taken me to see a GYN and they had put me on BC for heavy periods. If she is already seeing the doc, then when she wants to start having sex, she can do it safely without having to tell you.
It's a hard transition, I'm sure. Talk to the people around you and your own practitioner and see what they say.
Have a very open discussion with your daughter and find out if she is sexually active. If she is or plans on being active soon...have an exam done. A normal healthy base line is nice to have for future reference if a problem does arise. It seems (only from what I have read and experienced myself with my daughter) when they become sexually active is when things start to go haywire. I never knew that a 17 yr old could get cervical cancer until it happened to my daughter. So back to the discussion...let her know in no uncertain terms that sex can not only get you pregnant, but it can get you sick or dead if your not very careful.
I can tell you from my own experience that I was 12 when I started my period. When I was 15 I had a ruptured cyst on my right ovary and ended up in the hospital, I was in horrible pain. My very first experience with a GYN I was in pain, in a hospital and had to endure humiliating exams. When a problem arrises I don't think that is the best time to experience your first GYN exam. Not that having one at 12 would have been fun either but it would have been a lot easier to deal with the ordeal at the hospital had I known what to expect and been familiar with the dr. Can the ped. actually do the exam? I do not go to a GYN, I see our family dr. for paps, etc. Maybe you can just take her to see the GYN with out an actual exam just yet?
That is a very invasive and traumatic experience, especially for a young girl. She does not need an exam by a GYN until she becomes sexually active or there are issues as the pediatrician stated. I don't believe I went to the GYN until the year I went to college at age 18.
Hi> I am a mom of an 8yr old girl. My feeling is that once a girl starts her cycle, she should see an ob/gyn. Also, I would ask about the shot that can prevent cervical cancer.. I think she has to be 13 though!
good luck!!
Sam
I have a 19 yr old daughter, I took her when she was 16 and the dr told me that the first exam should be at age 18 unless there is problems or they are sexually active.
Hi i am Laci mother of 4 and a current nursing student, i have always been told and understood that once a young woman starts her period she needs to have her first appointment with the GYN and one every year to follow. After all the best way to take care of any issues that arise are early detection. I hope i helped and good luck
I was 15 when I had my first pelvic exam. I had a terrible case of yeast infection. The dr. at the time asked if I was sexually active (I was not) because now at 34 I know that pelvic diseased can be transmitted sexually. He told me that if I had no further problems, I didn't have to see him until I became sexually active. I went back at 19 and have gone every year since.
I have heard this advice so many times: girls do not need to see an OBGYN until they are sexually active, but like in my case, unless they have other pelvic issues.
I am a physician and a mother of 3 boys (so won't have the gyn issue with them!)
Your daughter should not have to see a GYN until at least age 18 unless she becomes sexually active. Hope this helps.
Hello my name is Danielle and I have four daughters ages 16,twins14, and an 11 year old whom have all started as well. Their doctor said that it wasn't necessary to have a pap smear until they were 18 years old or were having sex. Thank god I don't have to worry about that! I hope that this has been helpful to you.
If there is a family history of "female" trouble, that is another reason to take her before the 18/sexually active point. My mother and grandmother both had problems so I started seeing the obgyn at 14.
Most OB/GYN recommend that young women begin seeing them when they get their first period. If you have a comfortable relationship with your own GYN, make an appointment for your daughter with yours. It is important to start early for your daughter to feel comfortable and open with someone, so that if a problem does develop there is already a relationship and a confidant besides you.
I have 2 girls of my own and 2 step daughters ages 16-21, The girls and I have always been open about any type of female questions, I don't believe that they need to have an GYN appt for any type of pap until they decide to be sexually active, as long as her periods aren't causing her bad cramps or they are not regular. A good answer would be to ask your GYN when they feel would be a good time. At 12 my girls weren't ready for that experience at the dr! After my oldest and my step daughter had their first pap they just couldn't tell me any more than it was the most embarrassing thing they had ever had. That was just this past fall!
Hi Jennifer!
Here is a good link to check out from women's health.gov, which is a government health website and reliable: http://www.4women.gov/FAQ/pap.htm
Basically, it says that women don't need to start getting pap tests until they are 21 or have been sexually active for 3 years. So I don't think you need to take your 12 year old in for her GYN yet. It would be embarrassing and unnecessary, in my opinion. Personally, since I chose not to have sex until I got married, I never went to a GYN until I was 24, just before my wedding. Also, you might want to get your daughter's opinion on this since it intimately concerns her.
Best wishes,
Jean B