Going to a gynae for first time
Despite teenagers becoming sexually active early, there are still reservations, writes Viwe Ndongeni
PUBERTY can be a nerve-wracking time for both parents and their children. With so many changes happening during adolescence and teenagers sometimes becoming sexually active for the first time, this stage may present itself as a perfect opportunity for young girls to start seeing gynaecologists.
According to Dr Katrien Dehaeck, a gynaecologist at Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital –, who specialises in paediatric gynaecology, and is a consultant at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital – little girls should see a gynaecologist as early as possible, even if there are no major gynaecological issues.
Dehaeck said that in some instances, girls were born with gynaecological problems such as labia adhesions that were not treated during infancy, for instance.
She said the advantage of seeing a gynaecologist instead of a family GPwas that a paediatric gynaecologist has an expert knowledge of the gynaecological health of young girls.
But which symptoms to look out for before parents can take their daughters to a gynae?
Dehaeck says symptoms such as itching, a burning sensation, prolonged and sometimes smelly vaginal discharge or genital warts, are serious enough to take your daughter to a gynaecologist.
“Your daughter may be experiencing an itch or burn that can be caused by a variety of factors. Most commonly, if a girl has an itch, doctors diagnose it as candida.
“This is not generally something that little girls get, as their vaginas are still too alkaline, so I would recommend seeing a gynaecologist if she gets diagnosed and prescribed candida medication before going ahead with such treatment,” said Dehaeck.
She said often, because of their age, young girls were prone to infections and faecal contamination as a result of not wiping their bottoms properly – wiping from back to front.
Harsh soaps and bath gels or bubbles could also caused irritation to young girls’ vaginas.
“Not all irritations are serious, though. Some, such as rashes, can be caused by allergic reactions to creams and other products, and these can be treated with over-the-counter treatments,” she said.
However, despite the importance of gynaecological health, many parents don’t seem to be convinced about taking their children to a gynaecologist.
Liesl Van der Schyff, who is a mother of an 11-year-old girl, says she has an open relationship with her daughter. They have talks about puberty, which sometimes lead to talks about adolescence.
However, she would not take her daughter to a gynae at her age. “If I take her to see a gynae, she would feel like it’s an invasion of her privacy,” she said.
She also says that as a parent, she sees it as her responsibility to introduce female health issues to her children.
“At my daughter’s age, I will leave the check-ups to our family GP. Should there be alarming results or recommendations, then I can take my daughter to a gynae.”
When asked what a trip to a gynae by little girls entails, Dehaeck says: “A visit of a young girl should consist only of some questions to the girl and her caretaker, as well as a look at the area in question, with minimal touching. Anything more would require a general anaesthetic.”
Pelisa Kobo, is one of the parents who are adamant that they would not take their daughter to a gynae.
Kobo’s daughter is 9 years old and she says taking a child to a gynae in the pre-pubertal stage has never crossed her mind.
“I never went to a gynae until I was 24 years old. It has never occurred to me to go earlier. When I gave birth to my daughter, I asked the doctors to check if everything was normal and they did. Until now, I have not heard my daughter complain about anything.
“Apart from the GP’s general check- ups, I don’t think I would take my daughter to see a gynae unless she has health hazards.”
Dehaeck advises that if parents are not sure, rather be safe than sorry. “My overall advice would be to take what your child says seriously and get her checked out properly... the sooner problems are diagnosed the better.”
At my daughter’s age, I will leave the check-ups to our family GP. Should there be alarming results, then I can take her to a gynae