At what age should I start going to the gynecologist?

Gynecology visits at KLASS

An annual gynecologic exam is an essential part of medical care for women, but when is the right time for your teenage daughter to see the gynecologist?

If you have never been to a gynecologist, it can be scary to think about those kinds of visits.

There is no specific age to start going to the gynecologist. There is, however, an age range that could vary, depending on the patient’s circumstances.

Girls should have their first gynecologic visit between the ages of 13 years and 15 years.

Feel free to schedule an appointment for your first gynecologic visit with Prof. Rafique Parkar, world-recognized gynecologist in Kenya.

Why is the first gynecologic visit important?

Starting the first gynecologic visit can:

• begin an important health routine.
• help understand the risk of disease.
• establish a relationship between the doctor and patient.
• educate patients on making healthy choices and minimizing health risks.

How do I know if I need my first gynecological exam?

• If you are sexually active. Some people start having sex during their teenage years. If this is the case, we recommend scheduling a gynecological exam as soon as possible. This would be necessary for STD screening, as well as ovarian and cervical cancer screenings.
• If you are sexually active and missed your period. If you have a regular period and it just did not come this month, schedule a gynecological exam as soon as possible.
• If your period has changed. If it’s unusually heavy or has suddenly become irregular, or you’re getting your period more than once a month, you will want to discuss it with a gynecologist.
• If you have noticed any unusual discharge. If you’ve been getting your period for a while and suddenly notice a yellow or green discharge with a foul odor, don’t put it off thinking it’s embarrassing. Gynecologists have seen everything. Failing to get treatment could result in a worse infection.
• You are experiencing pain. While period cramps during your period may be normal, if you’re experiencing pain that is interrupting your regular activities, you may want to talk to a gynecologist.

What should I expect during my first gynecologic visit?

The depth of a gynecology visit is dependent on various factors, such as the age of the patient, existing medical concerns, and the discussion that takes place during consultation.

In addition to assessing vitals such as blood pressure, your physician will also perform an annual breast and pelvic exam, discuss birth control and STD screening if needed, screen for breast cancer, and help you plan for conception. Pap smears will be done according to current recommendations.

At KLASS, patient confidentiality comes first and you can rest assured that all the information you give and share will be kept confidential.

All questions will be answered openly and with the intent to make you feel as comfortable and as well-informed as possible.

What are the pelvic exam and Pap tests?

We recommend getting your first pelvic exam at age 21, provided you are not sexually active. If you are, you can schedule an exam while you are still a teenager.

Another test that you will have later is a Pap test. This test checks for abnormal changes in the cervix that could lead to cancer.

The pelvic exam has three parts:

1. Looking at the vulva.
2. Looking at the vagina and cervix with a speculum.
3. Checking the internal organs.

What can I do to stay healthy?

Making good lifestyle choices can help you to be strong and healthy for years to come:

• Maintain a healthy weight by eating a well-balanced diet and exercising often.
• Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs.
• Seek help if you have emotional ups and downs or feel depressed.
• Use birth control if you are having sex and do not want to have a baby.
• Protect yourself from STIs by using a condom. Know your partners and limit their number.
• Keep up with routine exams, tests, and immunizations.