WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for January, 1998: Re: 14 too young for exam?

Re: 14 too young for exam?

From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 26 Jan 1998 22:17:50 -0600 (CST)

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At Mon, 26 Jan 1998, Marcy wrote: >
>I took my 14 y/o daughter to our local doctor as she was having very
>painful periods. He lifted my daughters dress, exposing her panties, he
>pressed on her stomach in several places. He then asked her to remove
>her panties as he was going to do an internal examination. My daughter
>was shocked and so was I. My daughter removed her panties and he
>explained what he was going to do. He firstly did a pap smear. Then he
>did a manual examination, I saw him insert two fingers up her. She was
>not expecting all this and was clearly distressed by it all. The
>outcome not much better as he still had no explanation. He just put her
>on the pill. I feel that she was invaded at 14 to have such a throuogh
>examination. She is not sexually active yet. Is it normal for such a
>young girl to be examied in such a way for painfull periods?

Having ot been there, I cannot discuss the propriety of the manner in which the local doctor rrequested and carried out the gynecologic exam.

The part about the need for the exam is something I can comment on.

With painful periods (dysmenorrhea), there are several possibilities for the cause. Some are physical abnormalities but most are not physical. The production of prostaglandin is the major cause of dysmenorrhea. Anti-prostaglandin medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) are helpful in most patients but I don't know too many physicians who would prescribe medication without an examination of the affected area, be it the pelvis, the breast, the heart or other organs.

Pelvic exams have a different position in acceptance to be sure. If there was a breast lump, no reasonable person would refuse a breast exam. With a murmur causing symptoms, no reasonable person person would refuse a stethescope pressed near their heart or an echocardiogram.

Bottom line : The exam was appropriate to be carried out but from your description, the sensitivity of the physician didn't neet your daughter or your needs and that is truly unfortunate. I'm sorry your daughter's first gyn experience was not more "pleasant".

I hope this helps. In the future, you may wish to seek a consultation with a gyn if the "local doctor" was not.

--
Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG
OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York
Great Neck, New York
http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm
http://www.obgyn.net/women/advisors/harveym.htm

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
and/or interventions.

**Private emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints,
consequently no private emails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

Next message: Kelly: "Re: 14 too young for exam?"
Previous message: Kelly: "Re: prevention of urogenital prolapse"
In reply to: Marcy: "14 too young for exam?"
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