The Learning Center Foundation

Parents need to know when they should take some action. This is an area in which parents have difficulty making a decision. They don’t want to traumatize their child. They want to protect the child’s virginity. Finally, they lack information on what should be done and when it should be done.

What to do if your child is ill. When there is a medical necessity, your pediatrician or physician will suggest that your daughter go for her first gynecological examination, regardless of her age. The child’s welfare is always of primary importance.

Consider the need for medical help if your daughter is beginning menstruation. If your daughter experiences any problems with her first cycle, it may be wise to contact a gynecologist. This may not necessarily require an examination.

Take your child to a gynecologist if she is beginning sexual activity. If your daughter is sexually active, she should have a gynecological examination. The time has come for parents and/or your physician to discuss with her both safe sex and the prevention of pregnancy. Parents may feel they are condoning premarital sexual activity by having this discussion. This is not accurate. Adolescents have to have information to protect themselves. Parents can clearly state their beliefs and values to their daughter at this time.

Age eighteen brings about important changes in a girl’s life. As your daughter reaches this age, she becomes a young adult. Hopefully, she has reached a mature level of psychological and social maturity and is able to handle information about sex and sexuality.

If there was no reason for a gynecological examination before your daughter turned eighteen, most gynecologists recommend this as a good starting age. Because most girls become sexually active around age eighteen, if not before, your daughter needs both the information and the protection IN ADVANCE to protect herself.

Recommendations: Avoid traumatizing your daughter; rather, help her. Gaining her consent to an examination is very important.