What age should you see a gynecologist?
Raising a teenage daughter comes with many questions and responsibilities. You want to keep your daughter safe, healthy, and happy — but the answers on how to do so aren’t always clear cut.
As a parent to a blossoming adolescent, one particular question you may be pondering is:
“At what age should you see a gynecologist?”
While this decision is ultimately a personal one, we’ve included some information to help guide you towards the best decision for you and your daughter.
Officially, The American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that girls first see a gynecologist between the ages of 13-15. Often times, this first teen gyno exam visit does not include a pelvic exam, but this initial gynecological consultation can still have several benefits for your daughter.
Specifically, this first appointment can help your daughter become more comfortable with her body, her doctor, and discussing sexual health. This initial visit also provides an opportunity for your daughter to ask personal questions, learn what to expect in the future, and understand her medical and sexual options moving forward. By giving your daughter an outlet and professional to ask questions to, you can ensure that she’s leading a healthy lifestyle and has the answers to questions she may be too embarrassed to ask a family member.
Even though the ACOG recommends an initial visit for all teenage girls between 13-15, seeing a gynecologist is especially important for girls who are (or plan to become) sexually active, have problems with their periods, or are experiencing delayed development. Ultimately, what age should you see a gynecologist really depends on you or your daughter’s lifestyle and needs.
If you don’t feel comfortable asking your daughter if she is currently or planning to be sexually active, that’s okay! That’s what a gynecologist can be here for. Even if your daughter is not sexually active, our professionals at Capital Women’s Care Ashburn can ensure that when (or if) the time comes, she is adequately prepared to engage in safe sexual practices.
Your daughter’s sexual health can be a sensitive, uncomfortable, and confusing topic to navigate. We sincerely hope that this information will help you confront the difficult topic head-on, and make informed decisions regarding your daughter’s sexual health.
If you are still feeling lost, we recommend making an appointment with your gynecologist, so that you can address remaining concerns in person, with a trusted expert. Here at Capital Women’s Care Ashburn, we’re always happy to help — and we’re currently accepting new patients!
We know that raising a teenage daughter can take a village, so our very own Dr. Hawa is here to help you navigate the difficult issues you may face in your efforts to raise strong, healthy, and happy young women.
Make an appointment for your daughter at Capital Women’s Care Ashburn or ask any further questions here. We also have the answers for some commonly asked questions about adolescent health and teen gyno exams listed here.
10 thoughts on “When Should I Take My Daughter to see a Gynecologist?”
It was really nice how you suggested taking a young lady to a gynecologist as early as 13 as that will give them the opportunity to ask things about her body as well as become more open in discussing sexual health. I guess my mom was right when she said that I should be visiting a gynecologist soon. At first, it sounded surprising as I am not even sexually active yet. Now I know it’s a must. Thank you!
Hey Tammy! Thanks for the comment. We’re so happy that you found this post to be helpful. We would also love to offer you a consultation when you decide it is time to visit a gynecologist.
You make a great point that it is recommended that girls start to see a gynecologist from the ages of 13 to 15. I have a daughter and I had no idea that a gynecologist can help with so many things from period problems to tips when becoming sexually active. I will definitely look for a quality gynecologist that my daughter will feel comfortable speaking with.
We’re so happy that you found our post to be helpful and relevant for you. If you are located in the DMV area, we encourage you to make an appointment with us at CWC Ashburn!
I spent a lot of time to find something similar to this
We are happy you finally found what you were looking for! Let us know if you have any additional questions.
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Awesome! We’re so glad that you found our post useful and informative.
Thanks for explaining how a visit to the gynecologist can help your daughter be more comfortable with her body and discussing sexual health. I would think that parents should really consider being more open about these things with their teens. An educated youth population can really bring down the cases of STDs in this country. As suggested, I’ll be sure to discuss a gynecologist visit with my daughter when she approaches the right age.
I am glad that you talked about how girls should see a gynecologist in the ages of 13 to 15. My daughter is right about the age, and she has a lot of questions, as teenagers do, that a professional can only answer with absolute certainty. I think her health takes priority over anything else, so I will be sure to advise her mother to accompany her to a gynecologist soon.