The mother’s role in her daughter’s health is important, especially during the time when the latter begins seeing changes in her body.
When puberty hits, or during the time between childhood and adulthood, tween girls need more guidance in navigating this confusing phase. An expert offers moms practical tips to ensure this stage passes by without a hitch.
Ma. Cristina Maledeo-Miravalles, MD of Makati Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology advises mothers to take their daughters to a gynecologist who can provide more insights on the young woman’s changing body.
“We recommend moms to take their daughters aged 13 to 15 for a gyne check-up at the onset of their first menstruation or menarche,” says Dr. Miravalles. “This is more of a talking session for the daughter to ask questions about her current and future menstrual concerns.”
During the visit, the gynecologist in return will get the medical and menstrual history. A simple inspection of the breast and external pelvic organ to establish baseline physical findings may be included in the visit.
“No pap smear, no intrusive poking of a speculum, nor transrectal ultrasound will be done. These are unnecessary, medically inappropriate, and will only traumatize the young girl,” points out Dr. Miravalles.
Such visit may also be recommended if it was not done earlier or if the mother suspects that her daughter has become sexually active.
If she has not had her first menstruation at age 15, a check-up is necessary, says the gynecologist.
Other reasons for a visit would be prolonged or heavy menstruation. According to Dr. Miravalles, it is usual for young girls to have long intervals between menstruation cycles. Such is the manifestation of the immaturity of hypothalamus, pituitary, and the ovarian functions at this period.
The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are the brain sources of the hormones that wake up the ovaries to grow female hormone-producing follicles. Highly irregular menstrual cycles occurring two years after menarche warrants a gyne visit.
When the day comes for the visit, Dr. Miravalles encourages moms to pull their daughters aside for a pep talk beforehand. “You can make the appointment easier for her by establishing the importance of this meeting, that this is one of the many steps in taking care of her health,” she explains.
The first thing moms must do is set their daughter’s expectations. Provide a sense of familiarity about the visit by explaining what exactly a gynecologist does so she would know what to anticipate. Make sure to prepare her for a series of new tests. An external genital exam, breast exam, thyroid observations, and a check for abnormal hair patterns are among the checks the gynecologist will do aside from the basic ones she gets from the family doctor or pediatrician.
Dr. Miravalles says that the best time to visit the gynecologist is when the young woman is not on her period or during mid-cycle, which is one to two weeks after the period has started. Mothers are advised to remind their daughters to note when their period started and its length as these are the basic information the gynecologist will ask during the visit. She should also observe how her period is giving her pain or cramps, among others.
Like most young people, a young woman experiencing changes may have a gazillion questions about her reproductive system. Dr. Miravalles says it’s best if mothers encourage their children to write down their concerns and other questions about their body. Her daughter’s first gyne visit is a great time for the latter to beef up her knowledge on reproductive health to serve as her baseline on what’s normal and not.
Aside from these pointers, moms should discourage their daughter from shaving or waxing their genital area as this might irritate the delicate labia.
“You’re also advised to step out of the room after the intro, so your daughter will be more comfortable in sharing sensitive information with the gynecologist,” advises Dr. Miravalles.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be informed if anything major comes out, and will be called in if needed.”
