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

Re: 14 too young for exam?

From: Kelly (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 26 Jan 1998 22:19:19 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Marcy: "14 too young for exam?"

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?

It is not unusual, but perhaps it could have been handled with more explanation beforehand. I always try to give my young patients a sense of control -- first we talk while she is fully dressed, then I explain what I think may be going on and why I need to do a physical exam. Then I go over just what that exam means -- then we go to the exam room. Once she is undressed and draped, I come into the room and start the exam, explaining what I am about to do before I do it. I always tell her if htere is anything she is very uncomfortable with, if she wants me to stop at any time, just tell me because she is in control -- that really seems to make a young girl more at ease and tolerate an uncomfortable, embarrassing exam much better.

--
Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
S. Lake Tahoe, CA

note: Opinions here are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your own physician. It cannot take the place of a face to face consultation and examination.
Sorry, but private e-mails will not be answered.

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