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</ iframe > </noscript> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --><div id="header"> <div id="CClogo"><a href="https://www.cookchildrens.org"><span class="srText">Cook Children's</span></a></div> <div id="CCsearch"> <form id="searchform" name="searchform" method="GET" onsubmit="return (this.q.value == '') ? false : true;" action="/CookChildrens/en/parents/"> <input type="hidden" name="search" value="y"/> <input type="hidden" name="getfields" value="description"/> <input type="search" class="search" name="q" id="q" maxlength="256" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" placeholder="Search"/> <input type="hidden" name="datasource" value="cookchildrens"> <input type="hidden" name="start" value="0"> <input type="hidden" name="rows" value="10"> <input type="hidden" name="lang" value="english"> <input type="hidden" name="section" value="parents_teens_kids"> <input type="submit" value="" id="searchButton" class="buttonImage"/> </form> </div> </div> <!-- If we have main navigation separated then it will reside here --> <div id="thelou" tabindex="-1"> </div> <div id="mainContentContainer" class="kh-article-page"> <div id="rsSearchBrowse"> <div id="rsBrowse" role="navigation"> </div> <div id="rsSearch"> <div id="rsSectionLabel">teens</div> </div> </div> <div id="khContentHeading" class="ar licH"> <h1>When Is it Time to Start Seeing a Gynecologist?</h1> </div> <div class="clearBox"> </div> <div id="khcontent"> <div id="xp1"> </div><br clear="all" style="width: 0; height: 0; line-height: 0; font-size: 0;"><div id="khcontent_article" lang="en-us"> <div id="NavigatePage1"> <div id="whichRead_1"><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!-- The following article is brought to you by CookChildrens. --></span><div class="rs_skip rs_skip_en rsbtn_kidshealth rs_preserve" id="readspeaker_button1"><script> var theRSURL = (escape(document.location.href)); var rsAudioTitle = document.title.replace(/ |\'|\?/g,"_"); var whichReadPage = 1; var doesItGotFlash = ''; makeTheRSLinkEN(); var readSpeakerDownloadLink = "//app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&voice=Kate&speed=100&readid=khcontent_article&url="+theRSURL+"&audiofilename=KidsHealth_"+rsAudioTitle+""; </script></div><div class="rte-image"><!--<sly data-sly-test.buttonBorder="khb-noborder"></sly> --><h4>I’ve had my period for a few years now — is it time for me to start seeing a gynecologist?</h4><p>Doctors recommend that girls start seeing a <script type="text/javascript" id="splatJS_gynecologist_T" name="splat" src="/content/kidshealth/us/en/teens/splats/gynecologist.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" id="splatDW_gynecologist_T">document.write(def_gynecologist_T);</script><noscript class="rs_skip"> gynecologist </noscript>between the ages of 13 and 15. This is extra important for those who are having sex or who have problems such as heavy bleeding, missed periods, or a change in their <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/vdischarge.html">vaginal discharge</a>.</p><p>Other health care providers can see teens for sexual health wellness visits too, including <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/adolescent-doctor.html">adolescent medicine doctors</a>, family practice doctors, and <script type="text/javascript" id="splatJS_nursepractitioners_T" name="splat" src="/content/kidshealth/us/en/teens/splats/nurse-practitioners.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" id="splatDW_nursepractitioners_T">document.write(def_nursepractitioners_T);</script><noscript class="rs_skip"> nurse practitioners </noscript>.</p><p>Your gynecologist (or other health care provider) can:</p><ul><li>make sure that your reproductive system is problem-free</li><li>help you avoid problems in the future</li><li>answer your questions about how your reproductive system works, your period, or your body</li></ul><p>It might seem like the health care provider asks lots of personal questions about your body and your sexual activity. It’s important to be honest so that the doctor can help keep you healthy. If you don’t want some information shared with your parents, ask what will be kept confidential (between you and your health care provider only).</p><p>The doctor also may do an exam. Most teen girls don’t need a <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/pelvic-exams.html">pelvic exam</a>. Doctors don't recommend regular pelvic exams or Pap smears until a woman is 21 years old. You can have a nurse, parent, or other family member there during any part of the visit.</p><p>Getting into the habit of seeing a gynecologist yearly is a great way to ensure your good health now and in the future.</p></div> <div id="reviewerBox"> <div id="reviewedBy">Medically reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD</div> <div id="reviewedDate">Date reviewed: November 2020</div> </div><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!--Thank you for listening to this KidsHealth audio cast. The information you heard, is for educational purposes only. 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