I started when I lost my virginity at 19.

Anonymous wrote:American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says between 13 and 15, although it may be sooner if like pp your daughter has a medical issues with her period (cramping, abnormal bleeding) or other concerns.

This seems young. If they're not sexually active, what is the thought process behind this? I would not have like to go at 13--I was years away from being active, and would have had nothing to discuss with the gyno that I couldn't with my pediatrician.

At 15 or 16 because DD had horribly heavy periods. The birth control she was put on helped a lot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My GYN said to start visits when they become sexually active or when they turn 21, whichever comes first. Unless there is a problem, of course. Until then, a family practice doctor (or ped) is fine. One of my girls was sexually active at 17 and the other was a virgin at 21. Just depends on the kid.

That is alarming to me that a woman could potentially be menstruating for 11 or so years before visiting a gynecologist! Sure, some pediatricians are decent at whole-picture stuff, but that's not a certainty by any means! I have a son, but I'd say 16 unless a concern crops up.

Your math is off, most women do not start menstruating at 10.

I went when I was 19, the summer after my freshman year of college. I have sons, so no experience there.

Anonymous wrote:My GYN said to start visits when they become sexually active or when they turn 21, whichever comes first. Unless there is a problem, of course. Until then, a family practice doctor (or ped) is fine. One of my girls was sexually active at 17 and the other was a virgin at 21. Just depends on the kid.

That is alarming to me that a woman could potentially be menstruating for 11 or so years before visiting a gynecologist! Sure, some pediatricians are decent at whole-picture stuff, but that's not a certainty by any means! I have a son, but I'd say 16 unless a concern crops up.

Anonymous wrote:Did your mother take YOU to the gynecologist? Mine did not.

Do you think it somehow inappropriate for a mother to take her daughter to the gynecologist?

Did your mother take YOU to the gynecologist? Mine did not.

My pediatrician says once right before college unless they are sexually active before that or having any issues.

I just had to take mine at age 14 because of the severe problems she's been having. She's been put on a low dose birth control pill which seems to be helping. She was not allowed to have? an exam. I wouldn't have consented, because of her age, but the gyno told us that they do not typically do them until they are 21 now (which I thought was odd because 18 is an adult).

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says between 13 and 15, although it may be sooner if like pp your daughter has a medical issues with her period (cramping, abnormal bleeding) or other concerns.

I went at 15 because my cramps wer horrible and I threw up once a month and went home from school. Birth control was wonderful and fixed that problem and helped with acne. I didn't become sexually actively until 20.

My GYN said to start visits when they become sexually active or when they turn 21, whichever comes first. Unless there is a problem, of course. Until then, a family practice doctor (or ped) is fine. One of my girls was sexually active at 17 and the other was a virgin at 21. Just depends on the kid.

Our daughter is still young, but I'm thinking I will start taking her when she enters high school, which will be when she's 14. My understanding is that at that age, they don't do pelvic exams yet (unless there's a specific need, like unusual symptoms), it's more a general health check and talking about your body and how to care for it. My goal here is to get her going before she's sexually active so that she can get further reinforcement about things like safe sex from a doctor she trusts and so that if she does become sexually active, she hopefully will be comfortable talking about that to a doctor, even if she's not telling us, so that she can get proper care.

Did you take her for a consult when she was younger so she can get used to it before the whole exam? Want to establish a healthy attitude and make her feel comfortable taking responsibility for her health and her body before she goes off to college.