Gynecologist for a little girl

It can seem like a big step to take your young child to the gynecologist. A lot of parents may not know why or when this visit is required. It’s normal to be curious about the appointment process and how to best get your child ready for it.

Gynecologist check-ups on a regular basis help guarantee a girl’s reproductive health is in check from a young age. These consultations can deal with issues like pain, infections, or just giving the parent and child comfort.

It’s crucial to handle these appointments carefully, ensuring your child is secure and at ease. Any anxieties can be reduced by being prepared, which will facilitate a more enjoyable experience for all parties.

It can be difficult to choose a gynecologist for a young child, but it’s crucial to put her comfort and wellbeing first. Early detection and resolution of concerns can be facilitated by the specialized care provided by a pediatric gynecologist in a compassionate and understanding setting. Frequent visits can help foster healthy growth, reassure the child and her parents, and lay the groundwork for long-term wellbeing.

What you need to know about a girl"s toilet

– During the day, it is enough to wash the girl with warm running water backward, so that the bacteria inhabiting the intestines do not get into the vagina. An adult"s hands should be washed. You can also use a gauze napkin or cotton swab for this procedure. – Do not wipe off the moisture after washing, but blot it. The towel should be clean, soft and individual. – Children"s underwear, panties should be changed daily. – When wearing diapers, it is recommended to use baby cream under the diaper or a special protective cream. Not recommended: – most pediatric gynecologists strongly DO NOT recommend washing the external genitalia with soap. This disrupts the natural microflora of the vagina, creates conditions for the survival and reproduction of pathogenic flora. In addition, the proximity of the anus to the vagina increases the possibility of infection. In addition, the sebaceous and sweat glands of a small child do not yet work. And frequent use of soap dries the mucous membrane, leads to the destruction of the protective water-fat layer. All kinds of fragrances and flavors (even natural), which can be part of soap or foam, can cause itching and redness of the mucous membrane of the vulva. Therefore, soap for intimate hygiene should be used as little as possible and only the skin around the vagina should be washed; – herbs should not be added to water due to the risk of developing an allergic reaction; – sponges and washcloths are not needed to care for the genitals, they can cause microscopic scratches, because.. baby skin is very delicate and sensitive.

Subtleties of hygiene for girls

Consultation is necessary!

• redness of the skin and mucous membranes of the external genitalia, itching and burning, discharge from the genital tract;
• itching and burning when urinating,
• detection of bacteria and an increased number of leukocytes in urine tests;
• suspected abnormal structure of the child"s external genitalia;
• presence of acute or chronic abdominal pain or a change in its shape and size;
• presence of endocrine problems;
• presence of allergic diseases;
• detection of inguinal hernias, especially bilateral;
• mother of a newborn child with chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.

It’s time to remember the doctor who has devoted his professional life to the gynecological health of girls if, after reading these sentences, you find yourself doubting your knowledge.

At the doctor"s

When a girl visits a gynecology office for children or adolescents, the doctor will undoubtedly examine her and determine whether or not her sexual and physical development is in line with her age. It is best not to make matters worse by giving the preschool-aged girl advance notice of the pediatric gynecologist’s appointment. Just positioning her so that she can accurately state her name and age and be able to reveal her tongue, chest, underarms, stomach, and back is sufficient.

The pediatric gynecologist will kindly ask the girl to lie on her back or, bending forward, get into a knee-elbow position (on a couch, on a chair or on her mother"s lap, depending on her individual reaction to the examination). When the child is on his back, offering to take the frog pose, the doctor will carefully spread the legs and examine the external genitalia. If any pathology is detected during the examination (redness of the skin around the external genitalia, vaginal mucosa, discharge, abnormal structure, tumor-like or other formations of the genitourinary system), then the gynecologist suggests that the mother perform a special examination of her daughter using gynecological instruments adapted for children"s age, which do not cause discomfort to the child and do not violate the anatomy of the girl"s structure.

Wearing disposable rubber gloves during the examination is imperative for the mutual safety of the pediatric gynecologist and the patient.

Possible problems

The following gynecological pathologies are most frequently found in girls under the age of seven or eight: ovarian tumors, ovarian cysts, synechiae (adhesions) of the labia minora, vulvovaginitis (inflammation of the vaginal mucosa), malformations of the genitals (underdevelopment of the uterus or vagina, violation of sexual differentiation – hermaphroditism), ovarian tumors, ovarian tumors, and ovarian tumors in infants; premature puberty (the emergence of secondary sexual characteristics, enlargement of the mammary glands, growth of pubic hair, and menstruation up to eight years old).

Vulvovaginitis (inflammation of the vaginal mucosa) is currently the most common gynecological disease in girls of preschool and early school age. Characterized by redness, swelling of the skin around the external genitalia, the vaginal mucosa, and discharge from the genitals. The child is bothered by itching and burning. Newborns may cry, toss and turn, fidget, have difficulty falling asleep and wake up quickly. Irritation increases when urine gets on damaged skin. The fact is that girls, unlike adult women, do not have lactic acid bacteria – natural defenders of the vagina from infection. And with the slightest decrease in immunity, for example, after a common acute respiratory infection or flu, all the microbes living in the perineum "attack" the weakened body, causing the symptoms described above. Treatment of vulvovaginitis is sometimes a difficult task and is always complex, including local therapy (toilet genitals with antiseptic solutions, use of anti-inflammatory ointments), personal hygiene, increasing the body"s defenses with vitamins. In case of repeated vulvovaginitis or in severe cases of the disease, antibiotics are prescribed in various dosage forms (suppositories, vaginal tablets, emulsions, creams, gels, irrigation solutions, etc., as well as in the form of tablets taken orally, and injections). At the final stage of treatment, in order to correct the violation of the vaginal microflora, they are used locally and orally (BIFIDUMBACTERIN).

As astonishing as it may seem, a sexually transmitted infection (such as trichomonas, chlamydia, etc.) can cause vulvovaginitis in even the youngest girl. Intrauterine infection is the most frequent mode of infection (from mothers who had this infection during pregnancy). In this case, the mother ought to keep this possibility in mind and get in touch with a pediatric gynecologist for the child as well as an adult gynecologist for herself.

While vulvovaginitis is a serious condition, pediatric gynecologists can assist in treating other issues as well. Worms, or parasitic worms that live in human bodies, frequently cause similar irritation. Moreover, young girls have been known to stick foreign objects in their vaginas as well as their ears or noses, which instantly inflames the mucous membrane. Parents should be aware that occasionally the only sign of a systemic allergic reaction in the body is redness and itching of the external genitalia.

The reason for contacting a pediatric gynecologist is the presence of acute or chronic abdominal pain or a change in its shape and size in a girl. The causes of such changes can be cysts and tumors of the ovaries (congenital or acquired), sometimes occurring in girls, as well as in adult women. Sometimes, even during an ultrasound examination of a pregnant woman, the doctor sees in her future daughter ovarian cyst (a pathological hollow formation filled with liquid contents). Most often, these cysts disappear within 2-3 months after birth. However, their presence requires mandatory ultrasound examination and observation by a pediatric gynecologist. Significantly less often, congenital cysts are an indication for mandatory surgical treatment, since their structure does not allow to exclude malignancy.

Sometimes ovarian cysts and tumors grow to enormous proportions, occupying the entire abdominal cavity. They can also twist around their axis, impairing nutrition and causing pain in the abdomen. Surgery is recommended to remove some ovarian cysts and tumors because they have the potential to develop into malignant formations.

A young girl’s health and wellbeing can be improved by making regular trips to the gynecologist. Early examinations can help resolve any issues, provide information, and lay the groundwork for long-term health.

While it is normal for parents to be unsure of when to make the first appointment, it is always preferable to take preventative measures rather than waiting for issues to crop up. It will be less stressful for the child if the parents and doctor take a kind, understanding approach.

Establishing a rapport of trust between the child and the gynecologist can facilitate candid discussions regarding health concerns in the future. During these visits, putting her comfort and safety first aids in the development of favorable attitudes toward healthcare from an early age.

Video on the topic

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