Are You a Teen? Here Are Some Questions You Should Ask At Your First Well Woman Exam

Did you know the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends teens schedule their first well woman exam between ages 13-15? While seeing a gynecologist for the first time can be a little scary, knowing what to expect and which questions to ask can help calm your nerves.

At Alpenglow Gynecology in Littleton, Colorado, teen gynecology expert Rickie Guida, WHNP-BC, uses your well woman appointment as a time for you both to get to know each other and establish this important ongoing relationship.

Your reproductive health is important to your overall health and well-being. During your teen gynecology visit, Rickie takes time to provide important information about puberty and reproductive health, and she wants you to ask any questions you have about puberty, periods, sex, and birth control. 

To help you prepare for your first well woman exam, here’s a bit more information about what you can expect and some questions to consider asking Rickie when you come in.

Understanding teen well woman visits

At Alpenglow Gynecology, Rickie and the team think of the first well visit as a way to get to know each other. Our team conducts a general health exam, which involves recording vital signs and your height and weight.

You don’t have to worry about a full pelvic exam until you’re 21, but depending on your personal needs, Rickie may recommend a brief external exam of your pubic region and discuss breast exams as needed. 

We use this time to address general health topics, including subjects like mental health, diet and exercise, sexuality, and substance use and/or abuse. Our goal is to give you reliable information on topics relevant to your overall well-being. 

Questions teens should ask at their first well woman exam

Your teen well woman visit is also a perfect time to ask Rickie any questions you have about your period or menstrual cycle, puberty and your chaging hormones, sex and birth control, and more. To help you decide what you want to discuss with Rickie, here are some questions to consider asking: 

• What is a regular period? What is an irregular period? Is my period normal?
• What types of menstrual products can I use?
• Are my PMS symptoms normal or out of control?
• What is the HPV vaccine, how does it protect me from cervical cancer, and should I get this vaccine?
• Do I need to do a breast self-exam? How?
• What should I know about sexual activity so I can make healthy choices?
• What kinds of birth control are available? How can I get birth control?

Learn more about the importance of teen gynecology or schedule an appointment online or over the phone with Rickie at Alpenglow Gynecology in Littleton, Colorado.