For parents of teens...

Many parents wonder when to address their daughters’ gynecologic health issues. Adolescent girls are confronted with numerous challenges, and the decisions they make can have serious consequences for their health and well-being.  To this end, it is recommend that girls first visit a gynecologist between the ages of 13 years and 15 years or sooner if you have concerns. 

The following three suggestions are ways we can work together to guide your daughter to a lifetime of good health. Dr. Menn meets teen girls where they are most comfortable -online! This makes tele-health a perfect way to connect in a secure, safe, andcomfortable way for teens. Dr. Menn can order labs and imaging tests, prescribe medications and formulate any treatment plans all via tele-health. Teen health is very patient education heavy and the majority of teen visits are spent talking . When a physical exam is required, Dr. Menn will consult with your daughter's pediatrician or refer to a trusted colleague for in person care. 

1) Get informed. Ask us for handouts and resources that deal with teen issues. We have or can find materials on health topics that you can use in talks with your daughter. This includes reproductive health topics, such as menstruation (eg, what to expect, menstrual cramps or irregularity, tampon use, and hygiene), promoting abstinence, and contraception. We also can help you to learn about other health issues, such as alcohol and tobacco use, safe driving, and healthy diet and exercise. 

2) Talk with your daughter. Many health topics warrant open discussion. For example, although it may be awkward to discuss sex, it is important to talk with your daughter about it. In fact, parents who do so are more likely to have daughters who delay having sex. Too often, school health education programs lack important information. Thus, it is important for parents and physicians to work together with teens to fill in any gaps. A great resource is a book I recently read, called "Talk to Me First" by Deborah Roffman. It focuses on how to make discussing sex and sexual health a natural part of your relationship with your children and not a taboo.

3) Be sure your daughter is seeing a health care practitioner who will discuss preventive health care issues with her, including pregnancy, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and immunizations. By consulting with your daughter in at this age, we can work with to give her the knowledge and skills she needs to make healthy decisions, identify important behavioral or physical health issues, provide any needed treatment, and refer her for other services, if needed. Understand the importance of this confidential relationship and know that I will always work to encourage communication between a teen and her parents.

4) Some girls are initially reluctant to visit a gynecologist because they do not want a pelvic examination. However, in most cases, a pelvic examination is not needed. ACOG recommends the first pelvic and pap at age 21. So tele-health is an ideal way to start gyn care! 

Ask us if you have any questions about adolescent health. Together, we can work to keep your daughter healthy and safe. 

Dr. Menn


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