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Walking into Womanhood
Her First Gynecological Exam
By Lisa Marie Metzler
First and foremost, your gynecologist should have a discussion time and answer any questions your daughter may have. Unless your daughter requests you be in the examination room with her, it is probably best to wait outside. This will give your daughter the opportunity to openly discuss personal issues like her periods, breast discomfort and other issues that she may feel uncomfortable or too embarrassed to discuss with you.
Dr. Farris stresses the importance of educating young women about their gynecological health early on. "Preventive gynecology – both now and long term – is very important and is not being done today with teenagers," he says. "What they learn as teens affects them later in life. You must educate them early and instill these values."
The gynecologist will probably ask your daughter if she is sexually active and discuss the issue of birth control, condoms and "safe sex." If you are concerned about how the gynecologist will address this, you should find out how the doctor will be discussing this issue with yor daughter. This also provides an excellent opportunity for you and your daughter to discuss the issue of sex and your own family's moral standards.