PEDIATRIC & TEEN GYNECOLOGY

Girls wonder, worry, and have questions about many things, not the least of which is their own changing bodies. We believe that developing a trusting relationship with a gynecologist early in life can prove to be beneficial for future reproductive health.

Adolescent And Teenage Care

+Counseling services prior to first menstrual cycle for girls
+Understanding the changes of puberty
+Contraceptive counseling
+STD prevention, counseling, diagnosis and treatment
+Evaluation of irregular menstrual cycles
+HPV vaccination

A teenage girl benefits from first visiting the OB/GYN when she’s between 13 and 15 years old. This starts her out with a good pattern of managing her reproductive health

River City OB/GYN provides a comprehensive approach to female reproductive healthcare offering everything from first-time gynecologic visits to specialized care for congenital conditions and other reproductive disorders. Our team delivers expert medical care along with respectful communication and emotional support for the young women and families we treat.

About Menstrual Periods

Menstruation is a woman’s monthly bleeding. When you menstruate, your body sheds the lining of the uterus. This vaginal bleeding is due to hormonal changes over a monthly cycle. Periods are triggered by a process called ovulation. Ovulation occurs once a month when an egg is released from your ovary. 

During your period, you shed the thickened uterine lining and extra blood through the vagina. Periods can be light, moderate, or heavy in terms of how much blood comes out of the vagina. The length of the period also varies. Most periods last from 3 to 5 days, but, anywhere from 2 to 7 days is normal.

Most people get there first menstrual period around age 11-12. Some people may start their period as early as 8 or as late as 15. If a girl has not had her first period by age 15, or if it has been more than 2 to 3 years since breast growth started, she should see a doctor.

Menstrual cramps are caused by contractions of your uterus during your period. Cramping is normal and is often worse during the first one to two days of your period. Cramping that prevent you from doing your normal daily activities (i.e school, sports) is not normal. Using Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Midrin, Aleve, etc. often helps to reduce the pain from cramps.

Birth Control

Birth control is a type of medication or device that is used to prevent pregnancy. There are many different forms and types of birth control.  Some types of birth control also help to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

  • If you are having sex or thinking about having sex and do not want to be pregnant you should be using birth control.
  • If you are having sex you should use condoms every time you have sex to help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

  • Condoms are available at the pharmacy over the counter.
  • Prescriptions for other types of birth control can be obtained from Dr. Paoloni.

About Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STIs) are infections that are transmitted by sexual contact (oral, vaginal, penile, or anal). They are passed through skin to skin contact or passage of bodily fluids. 

There are many different types of STIs, including Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, HPV, HIV, AIDS and more. To learn more about the different disease, please visit this website.

The best way to prevent infection is by abstinence (no type of sexual activity). If you are sexually active, you must use condoms with every sexual act and limit your number of sexual partners. In addition, talk to your partner about possible past infections, and get vaccinated against Hepatitis B and HPV.