Hi, One of my relatives are moving to switzerland. and regarding that i would like to know is all teens should get a gyn test? in other word is it a mandatory procedure after they start attending their school (gymnasium)? Please specify the procedure and whether they can choose thier gyn doctor (probbly a lady doc)? thanks
If I recall correctly, you don't really need to start going for pap smears until you are sexually active or are well into your 20s.
Maybe if you have a family history of gynaecological conditions (cervical/ovarian cancer, endometriosis, infections, etc.) starting your check ups early might be worth it.
Teenagers up to the age of 16 are usually under the general care of a "Kinderartz" (Paediatrician) anyway.
You should ask her doctor for immunisation against the HPV virus, before she is sexually active: here in Europe to be on the safe side, it is considered necessary for 12 to 13 year old girls,
It is certainly not compulsory for teenagers to see the gyn, and the school would never ask you about it.
It is however advisable and responsible to start speaking about feminine matters and sex-related matters early on with a trained specialist. If the teenager wishes to start taking the pill, she'll have to go see a gyn anyway.
And as other mentioned, the HPV vaccine is highly recommended as well. But a GP can perfectly do it.
Sbrinz, this is a somewhat misleading comment - it sounds like anyone who has HPV is likely to get cervical cancer! A more accurate comment would be that HPV is almost always the cause of cervical cancer. HPV is very common and it's great that teens now have the chance to be vaccinated (although there are many types for which there are no vaccinations) but it does highlight the importance of going for your yearly check-up, especially if you have HPV. Cervical cancer takes on average about 10 yearst to fully develop. Chances are if you have a smear test every year, they'll catch anything dangerous in time.
Thanks for your valuable comments. And now the issue is in that family there are 3 girls - 15 years, 21 years and 24 years. Now here comes the issue again, then should other girls start making appointment with gyn (both of them are not married and for the time being say they are not interested in pre marital sex) if so can they select a lady gyn and go? will there be adequate privacy? I'm expecting your valuable replies. Thanks
I read today that an HPV infection almost always preceeds cervical cancer. But then not all HPV infections cause cervical cancer. Significant difference!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPV_virus try to get them vaccinated as early as reasonable. Any doctor can order this. Can they not receive the vaccination in Sri Lanka?
What do you mean by privacy? Confidentiality? All appointments and their results are confidential and only discussed with the patient and/or any relevant medical people (labs, specialists, etc).
Physical privacy? The examination is done in a room with just patient and doctor. It's a bit uncomfortable and awkward wandering around with no trousers on but it's the same for everyone.
If you are worried about it from a cultural point of view, you just need to mention it at the time of making the appointment. I'm sure most doctors would be respectful of any wishes or requirements.
Providing you find a lady gyn that still accepts new patients (which can be tricky), yes, you call and make an appointment. 90% of it will be paid back by the basic insurance providing you've reached your deductible.
On a side note, what girls say to their parents and what they effectively do can actually be quite different... Emergency contraception can be bought in any pharmacy, and the Planning familial will help and advise teenagers and young adults for free...
Thanks for the informations. Actually they are worried in cultural point of view. And yes what they do and what they say to their parents are very much different.
I'm asking all these on behalf of them because they are worried to move to switzerland as somebody had told them there (in swiss) most people don't worry about nudity (no offence) the examinations will not be as in sri lanka (here they never use to wear bikini). So they want to stay in sri lanka even afterr they got the visa
To be honest, I don't know how they can make the examinations any more dignified. I know a few people from the US mention that the doctor will throw a blanket over your legs during the examination and you may get a gown to cover you as you run from the cubicle to the chair but the procedure is pretty much the same all over the world.
Speculum, spatula-thing, twizzle around, quick manual examination to check all is in order, get dressed, job done for the year. Phew.
Nudity isn't as widespread as you seem to assume - it's cold here in winter so people are normally bundled up in coats. Anywhere that might have a risk of nudity (gym changing area, sauna, etc.,) can be avoided.
Tell hem to wear a dress with leggings if they're worried about their modesty. One of my friends went in winter and said she felt a bit weird wearing a huge, woollen roll-neck jumper with nothing on the bottom!
In sri lanka there is a very poor GP system (which i hate) so if i feel that I want to get a medical advice I can channel to any one (female male or even the speciality ) so usually female gyn can be selected.
There are no compulsory gyn tests for teens at all- so no need to worry. Also, when the time comes, you can make an appointment with a femal gyn, and make it clear at the time that only femal nurse/assistant will be acceptable to them.
To make exams easier for teenagers and those who are not sexually active:
I would ask for the blanket or bring one. A bathrobe might also be useful, since there will probably be a breast exam as well. I would also ask the gynecologist to warm the speculum and to use a smaller sized speculum (these do exist!). Emphasize that the patient is a virgin and that this is her first exam. If the doctor seems brusque, end the exam.
My mom did this for me (I needed to have an exam for painful periods long before I was interested in sex). The doctor took one set of tools to explain what she would do and then used a second set for the exam. My mom also stayed in the room and held my hand
I was told that Switzerland it's mandatory from the age of 18 every 1-2 years, to receive a pap smear. You chose your own doctor and there's plenty of female gynos around