Establishing Gynecological Care

Young Adults - Establishing Gynecological Care

As young adults, you experience several life milestones and rites of passage in rapid succession – puberty, first love, graduation from high school or college, and your first ‘real’ job. It’s at this time that you may also become sexually active.

There is a lot to adjust to and get to know during this part of your life and it’s important to have a good support system and establish healthy routines that will last a lifetime.

Exceptional Patient Experiences

Our team strives to provide you with personalized, compassionate care and supportive medical team before, during and after appointments. We facilitate honest conversations to address your health needs, concerns and challenges. It is when you feel comfortable, as a patient – to express your needs, ask questions, and feel empowered to take action – that you truly make the most of your relationship with your physician.

If you have questions or feel concerned about your health, or are exploring other options - we encourage you to call us at 845-333-7575

When should I Schedule My First GYN Appointment? 

We typically recommend that our patients start establishing care with a gynecologist at age 18 - or when they first become sexually active.

And sometimes much earlier if menstrual conditions or period pain present themselves early in life during the transition of puberty. In the end, “when” is really a personal choice - based on your lifestyle and individual health.

What Should I Expect at My First Appointment? 

It is common for women to be a bit nervous their first women's health visit. Yes, there maybe a need for an initial physical exam, but your first appointment is really where we will begin our relationship and get to know each other. We will discuss many things that pertain to your health – family, medical history and sexual health.

We may also discuss some of these common topics:

• Birth Control Options
• Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear) starting at age 21
• Family Planning
• HPV Vaccinations
• Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Pregnancy Screenings

Breast & Pelvic Exams

Your first Pap test, to check for abnormal cells on the cervix that could lead to cancer, generally will take place when you are 21 and will reoccur every 3-5 years. The pelvic exam will allow your doctor to examine your genitalia, vagina and uterus to check for any internal issues that could affect your reproductive health.

Common Gynecologic Conditions

Some common gynecologic conditions we see in this age group, include, but are not limited to:

• Amenorrhea – the absence of menstruation
• Period Pain - Cramps and pelvic pain with menstruation, with common causes such as heavy flow, passing clots, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis.
• Ovarian cysts – a common condition where a solid or fluid-filled sac or pocket (cyst) is present within or on the surface of an ovary.
• Menstrual disorders – other disorders may include abnormal bleeding, light or infrequent menstruation, PMS, or PMDD.

If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, we encourage you to call us. Together, we can discuss your symptoms and, through a medical history and exam, diagnose your condition and put you on a workable path to resolve or manage it.

Choosing a Provider Who is Right for You

We encourage you to explore your options when choosing a provider. It's important to find a provider who is supportive, and one with whom you can talk with honestly and openly. For the different ages and stages of your life - puberty to post-menopause, we will be there to help you maintain health and prevent illness.

Family Medicine

Providing exceptional healthcare to all ages, from newborns to geriatrics.

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MyChart

Convenient electronic access to your medical information through a web-based version of our computer system called MyChart.

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