From the moment you come into the world, your body is in a constant state of change. When it comes to puberty, the changes are due to hormonal fluctuations, which affect the functions of a vast number of systems through the body.
Girls developing into women have a unique set of changes. Well-woman exams are designed to address these issues. If you live in the Lake Mary, Florida, area and your daughter needs to have her first well-woman exam, Dr. Christopher Quinsey and our medical team can help.
Your teen may seem a bit overwhelmed by the thought of her first well-woman exam. To help ease any anxieties about the experience, we explain what this first visit is like.
Girls generally start the hormonal changes in puberty earlier than boys, showing signs such as:
Each girl grows at her own rate, and some may develop many of these signs earlier or later than others.
Your teenager’s body goes through reproductive changes that will affect her sexual interests and personal identity. The well-woman visit helps her understand the state of her health and allows her to ask questions.
Concerns about menstruation, hormones, emotional health, fertility, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are all issues she may want and need to know more about.
Over time, screening for medical issues like cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer, as well as several other problems that can affect the reproductive system, will also be very important throughout adulthood.
Your daughter should have her first well woman exam between ages 13 and 15. Often, the primary concerns of this initial visit cover her overall health and ensure her menstrual cycle is free of abnormalities. The basic guideline for the first visit looks like this:
This includes the basics, like checking height, weight, and blood pressure, as well as blood and urine tests.
To understand the current state of your teenager’s health, we gather facts about conditions, injuries, vaccination history, and other past health treatments to see what affects her now.
We ask questions about her menstrual cycle, any discomfort or other concerns she may have. If she is sexually active, we address contraception and STD risks.
Puberty and the related changes are normal and natural, and we help your teen understand what’s happening as she grows into an adult. For any questions and concerns about your daughter’s first well-woman visit, make an appointment with Dr. Quinsey and our team today.
