Preparing Your Daughter for Her First GYN Exam

What Parents Can Do to Prepare Their Daughters for the World of Women’s Health

By Jennifer Newell, Founder, and CEO of Betty’s Co & Jillian LoPiano, MD, Medical Director of Betty’s Co

One challenging aspect of parenthood is helping children navigate the milestones of adolescence. For parents raising daughters, this includes guiding them through their newly activated reproductive system, from hygiene to symptom management to healthcare providers—gynecologists.

Teach Her to Self-Advocate

Parents sometimes feel lost when it comes to introducing their daughters to a gynecologist. Here are three ways to create a safe space for your daughter to get her healthcare needs met.

Establish an Early Relationship with a GYN

There are many misconceptions about when young women require care. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends young women receive specialized care once beginning their periods, suggesting a first gynecological visit between ages 13 and 15.

Early introductions to gynecologists create a sense of normalcy for younger women around their bodies and ongoing need for women’s health. Plus, it establishes health providers as a resource for questions before approaching major lifestyle milestones, like sexual activity and pregnancy.

Tell Her Exactly What Happens During Pelvic Exams

Although it is rare for a teenager to need a pelvic exam yet, it’s good to begin discussing it early to alleviate future anxieties. We have created a scripted discussion guide for talking to a teenager about their first pelvic exam. Please reach out if you would like a copy. Remind your daughters that her provider wants to make her comfortable. Communicating any sensations—pain or discomfort—will help them better serve her.

One Boerne mom was on the way to the pediatrician with her young daughter, who asked, “Does the doctor have to check my “vajayjay?” Seeing the concern, this mom instructed her daughter she would have to tell the doctor herself if she didn’t want them to examine her privates. So, the daughter did just that, and the doctor was able to make her more comfortable by adjusting to only take a quick look (no exam) and explaining why it was needed (to ensure she was developing properly).

This mother taught her daughter an important lesson: self-advocacy. Gynecological visits can make women of all ages feel vulnerable. So, as you guide your daughter, consider sharing these options:

· She may request to talk to the doctor before getting undressed · She may ask to speak with the doctor in an office setting, not an exam room · She may request a chaperone’s presence in the room

In our daily work with Betty’s Co., a women’s health company in San Antonio catering uniquely to younger women, we recommend parents have open conversations with their daughters about their health needs while also helping them take control of their own healthcare by establishing a strong foundation with a women’s health provider. For more information, visit bettysco.com.

Jennifer Newell, Founder, and CEO of Betty’s Co

Jennifer Newell is a passionate healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Betty’s Co., a women’s healthcare company that serves younger women with the care, products, and education they need to stay well.

Jillian LoPiano, MD, Medical Director of Betty’s Co

Dr. Jillian LoPiano believes in educating and empowering women to manage their own health and wellness. With a Medical Degree from The George Washington University, Dr. LoPiano serves as the Medical Director of Betty’s Co.