Adolescent Gynecology

Adolescence is an exciting period of growth and puberty changes. At Women’s Healthcare of Norman in Norman, Oklahoma, the board-certified OB/GYN general and robotic surgery team provides exceptional support and guidance to help maturing adolescents navigate the milestones that puberty brings. Call the practice today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about adolescent gynecology. 

What is adolescent gynecology?

Adolescence is the onset of puberty when girls experience the greatest amount of growth,

both in weight and height. It’s also a period of sexual maturation. During adolescence, girls begin menstruation, which brings about many other physical and emotional changes.

Adolescent gynecology strives to help young women navigate these changes in a warm, compassionate manner.

What changes in puberty can adolescent gynecology address?

Hormonal changes during puberty cause girls to develop at different rates. Most of these puberty changes usually begin before boys of the same age.

Some of the puberty changes adolescent gynecology can address include:

• Breast development
• Pubic hair growth
• Armpit hair growth
• Bodily hair growth (arms, legs, etc.)
• Menstruation

The team of women’s health specialists works with adolescents to make this time of transition as comfortable as possible.

What does adolescent gynecology include?

The specialists at Women’s Healthcare of Norman are experienced in addressing common concerns of adolescent girls, such as:

Menstruation care

One of the most important developments during puberty, menstruation causes the lining of the uterus to shed each month.

Heavy bleeding, cramping, and pain are some of the most common symptoms your teenager may experience. To understand the underlying problem, the team may perform a gynecologic exam to help them identify the cause and develop a treatment plan.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis and treatment

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods, severe acne, excessive facial and body hair — the result of excessive androgen — pelvic pain, and obesity.

Without treatment, PCOS can cause: 

• Infertility
• Type 2 diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Miscarriage
• Premature birth

To diagnose PCOS, the team performs a thorough evaluation that may involve blood work and ultrasound scans.

Breast care

Teenagers experience breast changes and development during puberty that can benefit from regular checkups.

Breast exams can identify unusual lumps or growths around the breasts and help early diagnosis of conditions like fibroid tumors or breast cysts. The team also teaches young women how to do a self-breast exam at home.

Sexual care

For sexually active young women, the team offers multiple contraception options. While oral contraceptives, vaginal rings, and condoms are popular choices, you may prefer an intrauterine device (IUD). Your practitioner discusses the pros and cons of each type to help young women make informed choices.

Call Women’s Healthcare of Norman today or schedule an appointment online to connect with a board-certified OB/GYN.