Anonymous wrote:My mom was a pediatrician. She never took me to the gynecologist or talked to me about my period. She put some pamphlets on my bed and later said "You didn't have any questions, did you?" I didn't tell her when my period started but I took her tampons. She left me a note in the drawer that said "Buy your own, cheapskate."

I did see another doctor for check ups and I don't recall him asking me anything about my periods or doing any kind of exam. I did finally get myself to Planned Parenthood when I started having sex at 15, but they focused on the sex part. I had one physician there express disappointment in me because she worked with my dad (he was also a doctor). A few years later when I had no boyfriend and I went off the pill it never occurred to me that a gynecologist might be able to help me with my overwhelmingly heavy periods and cramping. I did work up the courage to mention it to my mom and of course she had no advice. I saw a doctor for a physical and she told me it was "common to be uncomfortable" when you had your period, nevermind that I was often bed bound. I think I finally started going regularly in grad school at 26 when the physician assistant I saw referred me to an actual gynecologist.

My mom, the pediatrician, did nothing to teach me about my period or connect me with anyone who could. It makes me sad to learn that other parents are like this, too. I thought my mom was just a b*tch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom was a pediatrician. She never took me to the gynecologist or talked to me about my period. She put some pamphlets on my bed and later said "You didn't have any questions, did you?" I didn't tell her when my period started but I took her tampons. She left me a note in the drawer that said "Buy your own, cheapskate."

I did see another doctor for check ups and I don't recall him asking me anything about my periods or doing any kind of exam. I did finally get myself to Planned Parenthood when I started having sex at 15, but they focused on the sex part. I had one physician there express disappointment in me because she worked with my dad (he was also a doctor). A few years later when I had no boyfriend and I went off the pill it never occurred to me that a gynecologist might be able to help me with my overwhelmingly heavy periods and cramping. I did work up the courage to mention it to my mom and of course she had no advice. I saw a doctor for a physical and she told me it was "common to be uncomfortable" when you had your period, nevermind that I was often bed bound. I think I finally started going regularly in grad school at 26 when the physician assistant I saw referred me to an actual gynecologist.

My mom, the pediatrician, did nothing to teach me about my period or connect me with anyone who could. It makes me sad to learn that other parents are like this, too. I thought my mom was just a b*tch.

This made me teary. Your mom WAS a bitch. I'm sorry; I want to give you a hug and a talk about your body.

A child should not have to buy their own tampons. Your mom really shut down conversation. My DD is 14 and a half. I've given her talks a couple/few times a year about her body, about relationships, about health, etc. They've changed as she's gotten older. I will take her to a gyn when I think she's about to get physical with a boy or right before she goes off to college. For now, she doesn't need one. She's told me enough about her body that I know everything happening is normal. She asks enough questions that I know she's comfortable bringing issues to my attention.

Anonymous wrote:My mom never took me to the gynecologist. When I was 19 and was about to become sexually active, I went to one at the college student health center myself. It was fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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.

If a girl is having regular periods and not complaining of any problems, what would the gynecologist be looking for or doing differently than a pediatrician

-An interested pediatrician, just asking

Both our pediatrician and my GYN said girls need to be seen at 21 or when they become sexually active. Whichever comes first. We followed that guidance for our girls. My older daughter is still a virgin ar 23. She saw the GYN at 21. My younger daughter was sexually active at 17. She saw the GYN before she had sex for the first time. She actually asked me to go with her. I thought that was pretty awesome. Our pediatrician did a great job talking to the kids about their bodies at every stage.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why is it alarming? Mine started menstruating at 10, and I have no plans to take her before 21 unless there's a problem.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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.

If a girl is having regular periods and not complaining of any problems, what would the gynecologist be looking for or doing differently than a pediatrician?

-An interested pediatrician, just asking

Both our pediatrician and my GYN said girls need to be seen at 21 or when they become sexually active. Whichever comes first. We followed that guidance for our girls. My older daughter is still a virgin ar 23. She saw the GYN at 21. My younger daughter was sexually active at 17. She saw the GYN before she had sex for the first time. She actually asked me to go with her. I thought that was pretty awesome. Our pediatrician did a great job talking to the kids about their bodies at every stage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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.

If a girl is having regular periods and not complaining of any problems, what would the gynecologist be looking for or doing differently than a pediatrician?

-An interested pediatrician, just asking

Anonymous wrote:
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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why is it alarming? Mine started menstruating at 10, and I have no plans to take her before 21 unless there's a problem.

Because maturing young women might have health concerns that they want guidance about, and they deserve to have the opportunity to dialogue with a professional and not just their parents (or god forbid, their friends). I view it as a parental responsibility to give your kids the opportunity to have these learning experiences so they can obtain knowledge and decide what to do with it. It's like giving the tools to prepare them for college. You don't just say "Hey, fill out the applications" the summer before Junior year; you give them resources and their school provides them with counselors to professionalize the exploration of their next few years. At least that's how it's supposed to work!

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why is it alarming? Mine started menstruating at 10, and I have no plans to take her before 21 unless there's a problem.

Anonymous wrote:My mom was a pediatrician. She never took me to the gynecologist or talked to me about my period. She put some pamphlets on my bed and later said "You didn't have any questions, did you?" I didn't tell her when my period started but I took her tampons. She left me a note in the drawer that said "Buy your own, cheapskate."

I did see another doctor for check ups and I don't recall him asking me anything about my periods or doing any kind of exam. I did finally get myself to Planned Parenthood when I started having sex at 15, but they focused on the sex part. I had one physician there express disappointment in me because she worked with my dad (he was also a doctor). A few years later when I had no boyfriend and I went off the pill it never occurred to me that a gynecologist might be able to help me with my overwhelmingly heavy periods and cramping. I did work up the courage to mention it to my mom and of course she had no advice. I saw a doctor for a physical and she told me it was "common to be uncomfortable" when you had your period, nevermind that I was often bed bound. I think I finally started going regularly in grad school at 26 when the physician assistant I saw referred me to an actual gynecologist.

My mom, the pediatrician, did nothing to teach me about my period or connect me with anyone who could. It makes me sad to learn that other parents are like this, too. I thought my mom was just a b*tch.