RE: WebMDHealth Link Sent By A Friend

November 12, 2006

> ~ FROM WEBMD HEALTH ~

>

> Teens Need Early Gynecologist Visit

>

> Girls should make their first visit to a

> gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15, says the

> American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

> (ACOG).

Hi,

Oh my gosh, I know I am not the American College of

Obstetricians and Gynecologists but I had such a big

negative reaction to that I have to express my lowly

opinion.

I think that is the dog's dinner.

If there is a medical problem, a gyn is

needed--hopefully a female, fine. With all the trouble

that we as a group of women with gyn problems have had

with gyn's and all the things that have been inflicted

upon us in our lifetimes, I can't imagine anybody

doing that if they are thinking straight but who am I?

Sex education should be given in a non personal

environment, classroom, lecture, a female physician's

assistant or counselor at a Planned Parenthood office

that the girl has made her own private personal

appointment with or with a friend, or a talk with an

adult friend,------anywhere but a gyn's office for a

teenager. Kids know a lot about their bodies and

should be encouraged to know a lot but shouldn't be

encouraged to think of their bodies and sexuality as

sick or a medical problem to be instructed to by a

physician.

I was thirteen once and 15 and 16 and 17 and 18. I

would never want to put my daughter through that

little excercise without it being an absolute

emergency and the last resort. I can't even imagine

doing that.

Just my opinion.

Arline

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November 12, 2006

I couldn't agree more, Arline. You are right on! My daughter is 20 and has

never set foot in a doctors office let alone gyn office. We are big on self

care and it has worked tremendously for us. My 20 and 18 year olds are

living out on their own now and they tell me everytime their

roommates/friends are coughing, they are at the clinic or doc's office.

It's amazing to me these other kids have been trained to seek medical

attention for the most benign things. My son and his roommate are both

rockclimbers and I was so proud the other day to hear my son say he wished

his room mate ate better...'all he eats is junk, no wonder he's always

getting injured and takes long to recover'. My kids have been well educated

on how to eat well and thankgoodness that will stay with them their whole

lives. That, and the deep-seated knowledged that avoiding doctors unless

it's an absolute emergency is the best self care in the world. Most things

can be taken care of completely on our own with common sense and a good diet

and 'time'---yes, most things we can just 'leave alone and monitor' and they

resolve themselves in 24-48 hours anyway. However, most of us, out of fear,

have been brainwashed to run at the first sign, to doctors for just about

everything. It's a mindset and if folks are used to running to doctors, it

will make sense to them to take their daughters to gyn's for no good reason.

Oh well, i don't get it either

CarolLynn

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November 12, 2006

are you saying you treat Vulvadynia with out a doctor? or just everything else. we dont run to doc either but I had TO BEG for help with this pain. love, ML

-------------- Original message from "CarolLynn DiFelice" : --------------

..

November 12, 2006

Unless a girl suffers from abnormal bleeding or abdominal or pelvic pain, a

first gynecological visit doesn't have to include a physical exam, a Pap test,

or a pelvic exam, Laufer says.

The article goes on to state that the first visit should consist mainly of

discussions about various things including menstruation, sexuality, healthy

nutrition, eating disorders, and normal development, Laufer says..

Most girls have already been exposed to such information long before they are 13

years old, along with a lot of misinformation, and if they don't have the proper

mentality to absorb what they have learned already, a visit to a gyn is not

going to reinforce their knowledge.

If the ACOG is really interested in the health of 13 to 15 year olds perhaps

they would be willing to send some of their members to schools to properly

educate the girls.

Ora

Here is the article at:

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/122/114509.htm

Group Recommends Visits Start When Girls Are 13 to 15 By Charlene Laino

WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

on Tuesday, May 09, 2006

May 9, 2006 (Washington) -- Girls should make their first visit to a

gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15, says the American College of

Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

" The goal is to get acquainted with the provider before you need care for a

specific health problem, " says Mark R. Laufer, MD, chief of gynecology at

Children's Hospital in Boston and chairman of ACOG's Committee on Adolescent

Health.

Among topics that should be discussed are menstruation, sexuality, healthy

nutrition, eating disorders, and normal development, Laufer says.

The new ACOG committee opinion was released at ACOG's annual meeting.

Opportunity to Ask Questions

Unless a girl suffers from abnormal bleeding or abdominal or pelvic pain, a

first gynecological visit doesn't have to include a physical exam, a Pap test,

or a pelvic exam, Laufer says.

Instead, it's an opportunity for girls to start learning about staying healthy

and to confide their sexual history to a nonjudgmental health expert.

" It provides an opportunity for teens to ask questions they may be too

embarrassed to ask family or friends, " he says. " It also helps ensure that

gynecological myths are not perpetuated on the school bus. "

Most Teens Sexually Active

Lesley L. Breech, MD, assistant professor in the division of adolescent medicine

at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, says the visit is also an

excellent opportunity to discuss pregnancypregnancy prevention and sexually

transmitted diseases.

" This is crucial, " she says, " as more than 85% of them will have had some form

of sexual contact by age 19, and nearly one-third of ninth graders and more than

60% of 12th graders report having sexual intercourse. "

If a teen is sexually active, she should be screened for sexually transmitted

diseases, Breech adds.

Breech also recommends that parents be included in an initial discussion.

" Conversations regarding normal pubertal development and menstruation can be

reassuring for both mothers and daughters, as neither frequently knows exactly

what is normal and what is not. "

But after that initial talk, the teen and provider should be left alone to

develop a one-on-one trusted relationship, she says.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCES: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists annual meeting,

Washington, D.C., May 6-10, 2006. Mark R. Laufer, MD, chief of gynecology,

Children's Hospital, Boston; chairman, ACOG Committee on Adolescent Health.

Lesley L. Breech, MD, assistant professor, division of adolescent medicine,

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

November 13, 2006

Everything you're saying, Arline.....all terrific points!

CarolLynn

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November 13, 2006

Everything you're saying, Arline.....all terrific points!

CarolLynn

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November 13, 2006

Well, let me put it this way malada.....

Every single treatment I've done for myself regarding vulvodynia has been

researched by me and 'requisitoned/suggested' to my doctors......outside of

this, was dr. melmed who was the only one with experience with

vulvodynia....and his protocol......going on a low oxolate diet, overall

made my symptoms the worse they had been in 3 years. The E and T creams, i

learned about through Dee and this site and would never have found them thru

most MD's....had to delicately and gingerly 'beg' for them to try...talk

about feeling subjugated. The only thing any other doctor has seen fit to

give me was steroid cream which is ridiculous (told to use it the rest of my

life) and antidepressants. I can't say md's have been much help when we're

the ones doing all the research and they are the ones getting paid!

Something is not quite right here! Anyway, if someone out of desperation

must see a doctor, then so be it....I'm just saying that for me and my

family, it's the last place i turn to to get/stay well.

There are some treasures out there, but they are like a needle in a hay

stack. And my goodness, who would dream of taking their daughters to an md,

to learn a single thing about nutrition and eating well?? I like what

Arline said about doctors taking their sons in for that same sort of thing.

Why do we see it as totally unnecessary for boys...if not outright

ridulous....and necessary for girls?? I can't figure this one out. But of

course, it will make tremendous sense to many others, so people will do

it...eventually 'expect' it and ultimately 'demand' it. Oh well.

CarolLynn

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November 13, 2006