Adolescent Gynecology
Covington, LA

What should I expect at the first gynecologic visit?

The first visit may be just a talk between you, Dr. Schultis or her Nurse Practioner. You can find out what to expect at future visits and get information about how to stay healthy. You also may have certain exams.

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Dr. Schultis may ask a lot of questions about you and your family. Some of them may seem personal, such as questions about your menstrual period or sexual activities (including vaginal, oral, or anal sex). If you are concerned about confidentiality, you and Dr. Schultis should talk about it before you answer any questions. Much of the information you share can be kept confidential.

 

What exams are performed?

You may have certain exams at the first visit. If you choose, a nurse or family member may join you for any part of the exam. Most often, these exams are performed:

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• General physical exam

• External genital exam

 

You usually do not need to have a pelvic exam at the first visit unless you are having problems, such as abnormal bleeding or pain. If you are sexually active, you may have tests for certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Most of the tests that teens need can be done in the office with a urine sample. You may also be advised to have certain vaccinations.

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Preventing UTIs in Teen Girls

UTIs can affect women at all ages and stages of life, including the teen years. If you have a teen daughter just starting her period, you can help her reduce her risk of UTIs by:

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• Teaching her proper period hygiene (and how often to change pads, etc)

• Limiting bubble baths (which can increase UTI risk and irritation)

• Encouraging her to drink enough water each day 

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The most common type of UTI, the bladder infection, causes mostly just discomfort and inconvenience. Bladder infections can be quickly and easily treated. And it's important to get treatment promptly to avoid the more serious infection that reaches the kidneys.

 

Bacteria Are to Blame

UTIs are usually caused by E. coli, bacteria that are normally found in the digestive tract and on the skin around the rectal and vaginal areas. When the bacteria enter the urethra, they can make their way up into the bladder and cause an infection.

 

Girls get urinary tract infections much more frequently than guys, most likely due to differences in the shape and length of the urethra. Girls have shorter urethras than guys, and the opening lies closer to the rectum and vagina where bacteria are likely to be.

Some people seem to get frequent UTIs, but they often have other problems that make them more prone to infection, like an abnormality in the urinary tract structures or function. The most common functional problem of the urinary tract is called vesicoureteral reflux, a condition in which some urine flows backward, or refluxes, from the bladder into the ureters and even up to the kidneys.

 

Bacteria can get into the urethra several ways. During sexual intercourse, for example, the bacteria in the vaginal area may be pushed into the urethra and eventually end up in the bladder, where urine provides a good environment for the bacteria to grow. This is the reason why females who are sexually active often get UTIs . UTIs are not contagious, so you can't catch a urinary tract infection from someone else.

 

Bacteria may also be introduced into a girl's bladder by wiping from back to front after a bowel movement, which can contaminate the urethral opening. The use of spermicides (including condoms treated with spermicide) and diaphragms as contraceptives also may increase the risk of UTIs.

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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may cause UTI-like symptoms, such as pain with urination. This is due to the inflammation and irritation of the urethra or vagina that's sometimes associated with chlamydia and other STDs. If untreated, STDs can lead to serious long-term problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Unlike UTIs, STDs are contagious.

 

Symptoms of UTIs

A number of symptoms are associated with UTIs, including:

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• frequent urination

• burning or pain during urination

• the feeling of having to pee even though little or no urine actually comes out

• pain in the lower abdomen

• pain above the pubic bone (in women)

• a full feeling in the rectum (in men)

• bloody or foul-smelling urine

• mild fever

• a general feeling of shakiness and fatigue

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