As an OB/GYN doctor, I am often asked by my patients, “When should I bring in my daughter for her first gynecological exam?” While there is no concrete answer to this question, I hope this response will provide guidance and some peace of mind.
The pediatrician will usually care for your daughter through the age of eighteen. Unless your child has a specific gynecological issue, such as heavy bleeding, irregular menses, vaginal infection, or contraceptive needs, the pediatrician is more than capable of handling routine medical treatment.
I frequently recommend switching from a pediatrician to a gynecologist in the summer after high school graduation. This transitional period is an ideal time, because at this stage your daughter is preparing to start college and may possibly be moving out of your home. She is maturing and expanding her independence, so the migration to a gynecologist is a natural progression.
The first gynecological visit is an excellent time for us to review any medical issues that she may have and open a line of communication with her. We often will do her first pap smear at that time; however it is not an absolute requirement. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a pap smear by the age of twenty-one, so it is not imperative that we perform a pap smear at age eighteen.
The OB/GYN doctors of Associated Obstetrics & Gynecology look forward to easing your daughter through her first exam with hopes of beginning a positive relationship and delivering quality health care throughout the many phases of her life.
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