What is the first visit to a gynaecologist like?

The first visit of a teenager to a gynaecologist is the time to ask questions and dispel doubts concerning adolescence, contraception, lifestyle-related behaviour and disease prevention.

During the visit:

There will be time to get used to the doctor’s office, ask troubling questions and make sure what is normal and what symptoms require diagnostics and check-ups.
The gynaecologist will collect medical, gynaecological and background history. While collecting history, the doctor may ask about the dates of the first and last period, the cycle, whether the periods are regular, about chronic diseases and occurrence of chronic diseases and cancer in the family.
They will assess, among others, the physical and sexual development of the teenager.
The doctor may also perform gynaecological examination; depending on the reasons for the visit, they may examine the patient – in intimate conditions, in the most comfortable way for her (the examination is not always performed on an exam chair) and/or order additional diagnostic examinations, e.g. gynaecological ultrasound through the abdomen or breast ultrasound.
The doctor will tell the teenager that it is necessary to self-examine her breast regularly. They will give advice on how to do it properly.
At the end of the visit, the doctor will provide recommendations and indicate reliable, accessible sources of information on health, prevention and contraception (appropriately to the age of the girl).

Purchasing process

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The first visit to the gynaecologist may cause a feeling of shame and embarrassment to the girl, so doctors make sure it is carried out in a comfortable, open and friendly atmosphere. This encourages questions, dispels doubts and builds positive habits in the future. In order to eliminate the feeling of discomfort and stress among Medicover patients, the gynaecological examination of girls and teenagers is carried out by a female paediatric gynaecologist.

If the visit to the gynaecologist is not an initiative of the teenager herself, explain to the young person before the consultation why the consultation is necessary. Additionally, talk about what the examination looks like and what the doctor can ask her about.

Parent’s presence during the visit to the gynaecologist

According to the Polish law, a legal guardian must consent to a visit and examination of a minor. In most cases, this is one of the parents. The guardian does not always have to be present in the doctor’s office during the examination.

The patient may ask to have the examination carried out without the presence of the guardian. For the comfort of the teenager, a midwife may be present during the examination in the doctor’s office: the doctor will ask about this before they start the examination.

When to make an appointment for the first visit to the gynaecologist?

If parents are not worried about anything and the teenager does not report e.g. painful periods or vaginal discharge, the first visit should take place at around the age of 15. The first visit is to make sure that the menstrual cycle runs smoothly; this is also a great opportunity to ask questions, dispel doubts and implement the vaccination against HPV (human papillomavirus), which is one of the most common causes of cervical cancer.

How to prepare for the first visit

The first visit might involve only a conversation between the teenager and the doctor.

Certainly, the gynaecologist will ask questions about e.g. the reason for the visit, systemic diseases, past infections, the first and last period (if the girl is already menstruating), regularity and length of the cycle, abundance of periods, possible ailments during the period; therefore, it is worth preparing the most important information in advance and writing them down on a piece of paper or in the phone. Depending on the patient’s age, the doctor will also ask you about the sexual activity.

Sometimes, there is no need for a gynaecological examination. If it is necessary, e.g. in the case of noticed irregularities or reported ailments, it does not always look the same as in the case of adult women. It takes place in intimate conditions, in the most comfortable way for the teenager. Most often, the doctor performs a general physical examination and an external genital examination. The teenager may be accompanied by a guardian or a midwife during the examination.

During the visit, the doctor will provide professional information on the physiology and structure of the reproductive system, and how to take care of the intimate health.