Pediatric And Adolescent Gynecology Specialists - Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, FL

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology addresses the reproductive health of females, from babies to teens. This can include everything from treatment for congenital abnormalities to answering questions about a teen’s menstrual cycle. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, girls should have their first gynecologic visit between the ages of 13 and 15. As they begin to mature into young women, they will require regular gynecologic care. At Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, our providers and staff recognize that teens may be nervous about their first gynecologic visit. We take care to put our young patients at ease and establish trust.

What to expect at a teen’s first gynecology visit

At this first visit, we focus on establishing a connection. A pelvic exam is usually not required though it may be performed if there is a compelling medical reason. The appointment involves a physical exam and a discussion of the teen’s concerns, menstrual cycles, and sexual habits. If the teen reports being sexually active, she’ll be asked whether she is using birth control or has questions about it. Our providers will also discuss sexually transmitted diseases and how to protect against them. We recommend that parents encourage their teen to ask any questions and raise any concerns they may have, no matter how embarrassing or rudimentary they may seem. A parent or legal guardian must accompany all patients under the age of 18.

What happens during the physical exam

In addition to taking vitals such as blood pressure, the provider may also do a breast exam to detect any cysts and assess overall development. If a pelvic exam is done, the doctor will examine the outer vaginal area for swelling or sores. Usually, our providers do not perform internal pelvic exam on adolescents, but if one is required, it would be performed using a speculum in the same way it would for an adult. Tests for sexually transmitted infections are done by taking a gentle swab to gather cells. Pap smears are not recommended until the age of 21 regardless of the onset of sexual activity.

Conditions pediatric and adolescent gynecologists can treat

At Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, we are experienced in assessing, diagnosing, and treating issues related to the female reproductive system, as well as counseling young women about effective birth control and safe sex practices.

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology conditions we can treat include:

Congenital abnormalities of reproductive organs
Cysts, masses, or lesions involving reproductive organs
Early or delayed puberty
Endometriosis
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal pain and trauma
Yeast infections
Infections of the reproductive organs
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Menstrual irregularities, including painful periods or heavy bleeding
Pelvic pain
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

For a consultation regarding pediatric and adolescent gynecology services, you can request a new patient appointment online. If you are already an established patient, you can book online through the patient portal. Or you can always call (239) 432-5858 to schedule a consultation with one of Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida’s women’s health-care providers in Fort Myers or Cape Coral.