11 to gyn just because...???

[EStreetMama]

Is there any reason to take an 11 year old to a first gyno check-up if there are no problems?

This is for DSD...I would not take her myself but wanting to give info to DH.

TIA, mamas!!!

[onyxravnos]

If she isn't having any problems (hormones/PMS/weird cycles) and there isn't a history of problems in either side of her family (tipped uterus/tube issues/etc) then I can't imagine a reason you would take her to a gyn... Unless you think she's sexual active or might be sexual active sometime soon.

[hellyaellen]

i second that. i know i wouldn't have wanted to go at that age and i don't think it did me any harm by waiting. i didn't go until i was 19 or 20.

[UnschoolnMa]

I don't see any real reason if there is no....real reason lol. I went when I was 13 for the first time, but I was sexually active. Dd is 13 and we don't plan on her going for some time unless some health reason pops up.

[EStreetMama]

Thanks, mamas. I wholeheartedly agree but needed some backup to show DH.

Her mom is wanting her to have the appointment, not us. DH needs to talk to her about it but he had no idea what the usual situation is.

So now he does!!!

Thanks very much!!!!

[BrooklynDoula]

I wonder why her mom wants her to go. I see no harm in her going, especiall if there is any chance she is sexually active and might be able to get important information from an appointment. If she has started her cycle (did not read that one way or the other) it could be a good thing for her. In the end it seems like the decision should be hers to make since it is her body.

I went at 14. But, I did not have a cycle until almost 14, so that was way. I was having sex at 14 and was glad I started going BEFORE that and not after.

[EStreetMama]

I think she wants to get her in there to get the HPV/vaccine:

We hope that she will not be having sex for quite awhile, but she did just get her period. She's entirely healthy though and has not had any issues per her report, so...

[BrooklynDoula]

Yeah, the vax would not be a compelling reason to go IMO and if she is not dating and such I would at least wait until 12 or 13) or when she starts to do more than kiss other people).

[sincitymama]

I can't think of any good reason, unless she either wants to go, has a problem, or is sexually active/close to it.

The only thing I can think is maybe she *wants* to go and went to mom instead of dad to ask? Possible she has some sort of period issue she is embarrased about and asked her mother not to discuss with anyone? But if she is comfortable about it and willing, I can't see the harm. Maybe she has questions about puberty/sex she prefers to ask a doctor?

Did her mother have related health issues around that age, or happen to be sexually active at a very young age? I can see those as reasons she might think it's a good age to bring her daughter.

I think I was around 15 the first time I went for an official gyn appointment with pap smear and everything, I was already sexually active then.

If she does go, her regular ped or family doc (I am assuming someone she knows and is familiar/comfortable with) should be able to do the appointment and exam for her.

[clavicula]

no way! :

[urchin_grey]

NO WAY would anyone be doing a pelvic exam on my 11yo.... I didn't go until I was 18 (when I became sexually active). There is no reason for a little girl to have to go through that - I would have been scarred for life if my mom made me do that at that age!

[Ruthla]

I wouldn't assume that a GYN would automatically do a pelvic exam on an 11yo just because she's in the exam room.

[Meg_s]

If you think she has some issues she wants to talk about, or questions that she might ask a gyn (with you not in the room) that she would not ask you because of age/shyness or whatever that is a reason to go. Otherwise if she is not sexually active or physically well developed (meaning she'll be getting sexual attention from outsiders, like it or not) then there is no reason.

[GooeyRN]

She doesn't need to go until she is sexually active, turns 18, or has a problem, whatever happens first. But, if she is WANTING to go, that is fine, too. Maybe she has some questions or is sexually active but does not want to tell her parents that? But there is no NEED to go if she isn't sexually active or having problems at this time. (but other than her, who would REALLY know if she was sexually active?) I say its up to the girl at 11 years old.

[DoulaClara]

I don't think anyone should go to the doctor "just because." If there is truly nothing wrong with her, then an appointment and insurance billing will just contribute to the huge insurance problems in this country (assuming you're in the US). You and your husband's gut feelings are right on- find out if she actually needs to go for any reason (even if she doesn't want to go into details with Dad or you, she can say "There is a reason, and I do want to be seen."). If not, then let her know she can make her own boundaries with her very own body.

Clara

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

11 seems a little young to see gyn

Originally Posted by sincitymama

I think I was around 15 the first time I went for an official gyn appointment with pap smear and everything, I was already sexually active then.

smear at 15 that seems very young i'm 24 and have 3 kids and have never had one

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I didnt go to a gyno. until I was pg. I didnt have a pelvic until I was 21years old and only then because I was getting married and was going on the Depo shot. It was a GP not a gyno.

My dd wont be going unless she has problems until she wants/needs to go.

[love2all]

[QUOTE=beckyand3littlemonsters;7168248]11 seems a little young to see gyn



[I totally agree with that..jmo..

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by urchin_grey

NO WAY would anyone be doing a pelvic exam on my 11yo.... I didn't go until I was 18 (when I became sexually active). There is no reason for a little girl to have to go through that - I would have been scarred for life if my mom made me do that at that age!

Yeah that. I didn't have a pelvic until I was 22, and I was even a little scared then.

I would HOPE a pelvic wouldn't be involved, but that's what gyns do, right? You bring the car into the shop, they're going to want to take a look under the hood, kwim?

[2tadpoles]

Originally Posted by beckyand3littlemonsters

smear at 15 that seems very young i'm 24 and have 3 kids and have never had one

Most mainstream health practitioners recommend Pap smears for sexually active females.

There's no reason for a sexually inactive 11yo girl to see a gynecologist. I used to work in an OB/GYN office, and the only time I can recall seeing such a young girl was when a 12yo stuck a mini Koosh Ball in her vagina and couldn't get it out.

Poor kid.