Pediatric gynecology

Sexual problems occur not only in adult women. Pediatric gynecology is a branch of medicine that deals with the health of the reproductive system in girls: both in early childhood and adolescence and puberty. A pediatric gynecologist at LuxMedic Clinic delicately consults with the age-specific characteristics of a girl's body, finds and eliminates abnormalities, and helps prevent gynecological diseases.

When to visit a pediatric gynecologist

A consultation is recommended even for a healthy girl: the doctor will assess the age-related features of the reproductive system and provide recommendations for the prevention of diseases and disorders.

Approximately, the timing of preventive visits is as follows:

• before enrolment in organized groups - kindergarten, school, university;

• at the onset of puberty - from 10 to 12 years;

• when the first menstrual periods appear - regardless of age;

• when a girl is older and can or wants to start having sex.

Of course, a visit to a pediatric gynecologist should not be postponed if a girl has problems with her reproductive system.

Reasons for urgent consultation by a pediatric gynecologist

Any disorders of the gynecological sphere in a girl or an infant girl are considered to be a reason for an unplanned appointment with a gynecologist: pain, vaginal discharge, and puberty disorders.

A detailed list of symptoms that require a pediatric gynecologist:

• anatomical abnormalities of the external genitalia;

• complaints of pain, discomfort in the lower abdomen;

• any injuries to the perineum;

• itching, burning, redness in the genital area;

• any discharge from the genital tract;

• menarche (first period) before the age of 12;

• irregular, painful, heavy menstruation after the first 4-6 menstrual periods;

• absence of the first menstruation after the age of 16;

• noticeable breast enlargement before the age of 8, breast discharge;

• pubic hair in a girl and its absence in an adolescent girl.

In childhood, even seemingly insignificant situations can cause harm in adulthood.

What does a pediatric gynecologist treat

LuxMedic Clinic offers consultations in pediatric hematology. The clinic's doctor conducts preventive examinations for children and adolescents and provides professional assistance if there is a reason for this.

Examples of diseases treated by pediatric gynecology

• labial fusion (synechia);

• congenital anomalies of the vagina and clitoris;

• inflammatory processes - infections, dysbiosis of the genital tract;

• disorders of puberty;

• diseases of the internal genital organs;

• menstrual cycle disorders;

• severe premenstrual syndrome;

• hormonal disorders in the field of sex hormones;

• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

If the periods have been regular and suddenly delayed for more than 14-21 days, a consultation with a pediatric gynecologist is required.

Diagnosis and treatment in pediatric gynecology

The first stage is a medical examination. At first, the doctor builds a trusting relationship with patients, which is especially important for adolescent gynecology. Girls at this age are emotionally fragile, and the doctor understands this.

The specialist delicately interviews the patient or her parents about the complaints that led them to seek help. The doctor clarifies the duration of the symptoms, when they appeared, and whether the patient's family members had similar problems.

Then an examination is carried out. The doctor at Universum clinic examines the girls externally, assesses the primary sexual characteristics and whether they correspond to the patient's age. 

Examination of the external genitalia is carried out carefully, without the risk of damaging the hymen.

Based on the results of the interview and examination, additional diagnostic methods may be prescribed: colposcopy, ultrasound, MRI, smear.

A pediatric gynecologist at the LuxMedic Clinic draws up a treatment plan based on the diagnosis. This may include medication, physiotherapy procedures, and preventive lifestyle recommendations.

How a visit to a pediatric gynecologist helps prevent women's health

In the Universum clinic, in terms of diagnosing and treating diseases, the specialist also helps healthy girls.

The doctor provides the patient and her parents with advice on the prevention of gynecological problems:

• how to properly care for the genitals;

• how to behave during different periods of puberty;

• what to do for the normal development and preservation of reproductive health;

• what to look for in order not to miss the onset of a gynecological disease.

The pediatric gynecologist at LuxMedic Clinic will give valuable advice to children with chronic diseases not related to the sexual sphere. For example, the specifics of genital care in diabetes mellitus.

Sources

1. Hillard, Paula JA. What is pediatric gynecology?. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology: October 2010 - Volume 22 - Issue 5 - p 361-362 doi: 10.1097/GCO.0b013e32833ef226.
2. Callens N, De Cuypere G et al. “An update on surgical and non-surgical treatments for vaginal hypoplasia”, Hum Reprod Update. 2014; 20: 775.
3. Jacqueline Brooks, MBBCH, MRCPsych, “How Early Is Too Early for a Girl to Enter Puberty?”, WebMD.
4. Meredith Loveless, Ohmar Myint, “ Vulvovaginitis- presentation of more common problems in pediatric and adolescent gynecology”, Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology,Volume 48, 2018, Pages 14-27, ISSN 1521-6934,