Adolescence
Adolescence is the stage between childhood and adulthood.
Adolescents must receive proper information on the changes occurring in their bodies. Moreover, it is important that adolescents receive:
Both gynaecologists and paediatricians are more and more often required to treat girls and adolescents with gynaecological problems. These patients require a specific treatment due to their age.
Adolescents require confidential visits respecting their intimacy, since sometimes gynaecological problems may stem from psychological, social or educational problems.
At IBILAB lab we offer youth gynaecological visits to diagnose and treat these problems. Adolescents should check with their gynaecologists when they have problems including: Puberty disorders, irregular menstruations, genital infections, mammary pathologies as well as when they need consultation on sexuality and contraceptives, starting with periodical check-ups.
Frequent Consultations for youth gynaecology:
- Vulvovaginal infections: the majority due to improper hygiene. In some cases intra-vaginal foreign bodies must be checked, often introduced by children at play.
- Fused labia minora. Usually heals spontaneously upon puberty.
- Premature puberty. The appearance of secondary sex characteristics before reaching 8 years old. This requires a physical examination and complementary tests in order to try and find the cause of the premature synthesis of sexual hormones.
Common adolescence consultations:
- Dysmenorrhea: painful menstruation. This is very common in adolescents. It usually involves slight or moderate pain that goes away with pain killers. Sometimes this is an intense pain that limits daily activity, and when so, a gynaecologist should be consulted to look into its cause.
- Menorrhagia: these are very heavy periods. Sometimes they require medical treatment since they may cause anaemia.
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Amenorrhoea: no periods after the normal period cycle. Pregnancy, weight changes and hormonal disorders must be ruled out.
- Requesting information on this new stage of life: hygiene should be checked during menstruation, along with sanitary pad changing frequency, tampon usage, etc.
Sexuality and adolescence:
It is important to know that sexual intercourse is only one aspect of sexual contact. Kissing somebody we like, hugging them and petting are all different aspects of sexual contact. This is important in adolescence.
?Try delaying starting sexual relations as long as possible (this is a risk factor for future cervical cancer).
?Try having the least amount of sexual partners.
?Use condoms during all sexual relations. In order to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
?Use a reliable contraceptive method in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
