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Teen Survival Guide
Seeing your doctor
As you become a woman, it's important to have checkups once a year with a doctor or other health care provider. He or she will check out your general health and reproductive health.
Your doctor might ask you questions about:
- your general health, allergies, medicines you are taking and your health concerns
- your mental health, depression, and stress level
- whether or not you feel safe
- your period, such as how long it lasts, how old you were when you first got it, and when the first day of your last period was
- when your breasts started to grow
- whether you have ever had sex or have been sexually abused
- your vagina, such as if you have had any unusual discharge, itching, or odor
Even if these questions make you feel a little embarrassed, it is important to be honest. Your doctor needs the right information about your health and body. This way, he or she can help you out if you have a problem. Keep in mind your doctor has heard these questions before.
You should see a gynecologist or another doctor who specializes in women's reproductive health if any of these apply to you:
- you have ever had sex (vaginal, oral, or anal) or intimate sexual contact
- you are 21 or older
- you have lower stomach pain, fever, and vaginal discharge that is yellow, gray, or green with a strong smell (these may be signs of PID)
- you are having problems with your periods
To: girlshealth.gov
From: Jody (age 15), Rockaway, New Jersey
Will my doctor tell my parents about anything I share during my visit?
Most states have laws that allow teens to see a doctor for their reproductive health without getting a parent's okay. Your doctor will do his or her best to make sure your visit stays confidential (private), but you can always ask him or her what the rules are before your exam. If the doctor thinks that you may harm yourself or others, he or she may have to tell your parents, guardians, or others about the visit. Even though it's important to trust your doctor, talking to your parent or guardian about your health care is the smart way to go.
Content last updated February 12, 2008
