Most girls and teens that menstruate should have their first gynecologist visit between the ages of 13 and 15, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. For some parents and caregivers, this comes as a shock, as many wait until their late teens or early 20s to visit a gynecologist.

The reality is that pediatric gynecology is an entire subspecialty, dedicated to helping young people navigate healthy menstruation, consent, reproductive health as a whole, birth control and more.

“It’s really just about establishing trust, establishing a relationship and education,” says Children’s Hospital Colorado pediatric gynecologist Patricia Huguelet, MD. “So much of our work, ideally, is about preventative care.”

Dr. Huguelet shares when and how to seek care, what to expect at your child’s first visit and some of the most valuable ways pediatric gynecologists can support kids’ health.

What a pediatric/adolescent gynecologist does

For adults, gynecology exams often involve a pelvic exam. This is not true for most teens, and especially unlikely at a first visit.

Instead, Dr. Huguelet says pediatric gynecologists are there to help families navigate vulnerable conversations. She adds that menstrual health is often considered the “fifth vital sign” helping doctors assess overall health, so she helps establish what normal looks like, and work with teens to understand their own cycle.

Pediatric gynecologists also spend time addressing reproductive health overall, including diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions, including endometriosis, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), heavy bleeding, anemia and more.

Gynecologists can also help with birth control options, including IUDs, either as symptom management for a variety of conditions or for contraception. They can also help support female athletes, who can be more prone to concerns related to irregular menstruation and bone health.

Above all, says Dr. Huguelet, the most important aspect of pediatric gynecologic care is helping teens feel informed, confident and less embarrassed about natural parts of life.

When teens should start seeing a gynecologist

Dr. Huguelet agrees that most menstruating kids and teens should have their first visit with a pediatric gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15. Of course, she acknowledges that this is a personal decision that will depend on a variety of factors, including age of first menstruation and sexual activity.

She adds that if parents or caregivers feel uncomfortable talking with their children about topics such as menstruation and sexual and reproductive health, it may be good to visit a gynecologist earlier rather than later. Your child’s gynecologist can help talk them through what to expect as their body grows and develops.

Additionally, Dr. Huguelet recommends visiting the gynecologist before kids become sexually active.

“It’s valuable to get ahead of those conversations on the early side, helping girls feel empowered to be comfortable in their own body before they’re thinking about partners and intimacy,” she notes.

Why early gynecologic care matters

Reproductive health can sometimes be an afterthought, especially in children. In reality, it’s a key part of overall health and a great indicator when something is wrong.

When these health concerns arise, they can have a significant impact on things that are vital to kids’ development, including school, physical activity, emotional well-being, cardiovascular and bone health, and future fertility.

That’s why Dr. Huguelet aims to create relationships with kids and families early on. This way, she can help establish a baseline for what’s normal and quickly raise flags when something unusual pops up.

Even if kids aren’t experiencing any issues with their reproductive or physical health, having a relationship with a gynecologist earlier in life can help them navigate things like puberty, and normalize many of the things that make kids insecure as they grow up, such as periods, asymmetrical breast development and other developmental differences.

A strong, safe and supportive relationship can help kids and their parents navigate the complexities of this time in life with greater clarity and confidence.

When to seek gynecologic care sooner

Not all young people will have the opportunity to wait until they are ready to visit the gynecologist. Health concerns may show up sooner and speed up your timeline.

If your child experiences heavy bleeding, menstrual pain that interferes with daily activities, irregular periods, anatomy differences or concerns about anemia (iron deficiency), it’s time to visit a gynecologist. Many of these issues are common, but according to Dr. Huguelet, that doesn’t mean they are OK.

“The number one reason for girls to miss school is menstrual pain,” she says. “There’s just so much that these poor girls deal with because they’re just told, ‘Oh, if you’re young, you just deal with this period,’ when in fact there are treatments that can help them.”

How to find a pediatric gynecologist

Not all gynecologists are trained in pediatrics, so finding the right care provider for your child isn’t as easy as tapping your own doctor. Instead, Dr. Huguelet recommends asking prospective doctors if they have experience working with adolescents. A few questions that can help you narrow down a good fit could include:

• Do you see teens regularly?
• What ages do you treat?
• What should we expect during our first visit?

Dr. Huguelet adds that a good pediatric gynecologist will focus on education and conversation first, with minimal need for physical exams at the beginning. She also recommends considering telehealth, especially for families in rural areas.

What to expect at your child’s first visit

It is very rare for a child to need a pelvic exam during their first visit to their gynecologist. If this is needed for a medical reason, your teen’s doctor will likely only conduct an external exam. In these instances, consent and comfort are prioritized above all.

Instead, your child’s doctor will typically focus on getting to know them. They might ask questions about your teen’s menstrual history and health and are there to answer any questions your family may have. By explaining things clearly, taking time and emphasizing that the patient is in control at all times, your child’s doctor will begin to build rapport and trust.

Often, the doctor will spend a portion of the visit with your teen while you wait outside the room. Creating this space can feel intimidating to parents, but Dr. Huguelet explains that it is a normal, healthy part of helping young people learn to advocate for themselves and their own health.

“It’s completely normal, expected and quite frankly, an important part of their own medical care to also feel comfortable having a private conversation just with a doctor,” she says. “They need to understand their own bodies, be able to comfortably talk about it themselves and advocate for themselves.”

Visiting a pediatric gynecologist for the first time can be full of new moments. In this way, it’s about much more than the exam itself — it’s about education, prevention and reassurance. These visits help teens understand their bodies, recognize when something isn’t right and speak up for themselves.