The first visit to the gynecologist

There is no fixed age recommendation for when a girl should see a gynecologist for the first time. There is usually a specific reason for making an appointment at a gynecologist's office. This could be menstrual cramps, a missed period or an inflammation in the genital area, for example. Often it is the desire to be prescribed the contraceptive pill, but sometimes it is also the suspicion of being pregnant.

Before the first visit to the practice, people are particularly worried about having to go to the gynecologist's chair. However, a physical examination - palpation, smear test and breast examination - is usually not necessary at the first appointment.

Some gynecologists offer a special consultation for girls, where they only give advice at the first appointment, but do not perform an examination. Topics at the first visit may include:

• Menstruation (regularity, duration, strength, when was the last period?)
• Diseases or health problems in the family
• Gynaecological complaints or problems
• Contraceptive methods and options

Medical confidentiality applies to all consultations, which means that the consultation is confidential. However, for girls under the age of 14, parents must be involved if the pill is prescribed.

It's probably impossible to completely avoid the excitement before the first appointment at the gynecologist's office. It can therefore be useful to write a cheat sheet for the consultation together with your daughter. Then the most important questions cannot be forgotten. If she already keeps a menstrual calendar, this should also be in her bag, as well as her health insurance card, of course. If your daughter doesn't want to go to the gynaecologist alone, she can take a friend, boyfriend, mother or father with her as an accompanying person.

Even without any specific concerns, the first visit to a gynecologist's office often triggers feelings of shame and anxiety. After all, this is about sensitive issues and an intimate area of the body. It helps to know that almost all patients are afraid of the "first time" and that this is usually unfounded.

It helps to reduce anxiety if you talk about your positive experiences. As a mother, you can describe how you felt at the time. Talk about the procedures in the gynecologist's office, the sensitive care you received or the reassurance that check-ups provide. As a father, you can talk about the experience of seeing your child for the first time via ultrasound.

The most common reason for the first visit to the gynecologist's office is the desire for contraception. The gynecologist can provide expert and individual advice on the various options and the respective advantages and disadvantages. Girls and young women are welcome to bring their boyfriends to the practice for a discussion about contraception. After all, contraception together is an issue for both of them!

Whether your daughter wants to go to your gynecological practice or not should be up to her. The choice of practice is up to you. A fundamental decision is rather the question: female or male doctor? Many girls prefer to have their private parts examined by a woman. In addition to your own experience, it can't hurt to ask friends and listen to recommendations from people you trust. However, waiting times for an appointment at popular practices can be relatively long if there are no acute symptoms.