Welcome Back Dads, Partners and Important Support People!
We are happy to announce that we are now able to welcome one adult visitor to every office visit. Please note that we will continue to require masks at all times in our office. We thank you for your patience and we are excited to see you back!
When Should my Teen Start Well Woman Exams?
This is a question we field from you all a lot so we thought we should tackle it in newsletter form. There are a few answers to this question so here we go!
1. If your teen is considering becoming sexually active (or already is).
Ideally, we would love to see your teen or young adult to make a solid contraception plan and provide safe sex counseling prior to them becoming sexually active. There are several important parts to a conception counseling visit. We will discuss all birth control options, the pros and cons of each, and their failure rates. We will choose a contraception they are comfortable with and make a follow up plan to see how it is going. We will provide counseling on STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention and on Gardasil immunizations to protect against HPV related cancers and diseases, if appropriate. Some teens choose to have their parent sit in on the visit, and some teens prefer to be seen alone. We do not perform pap smears (cervical cancer screening tests) until age 21, but will perform STI screening when it is appropriate.
2. If your teen has painful, heavy, irregular or bothersome periods.
There are many ways we can help with period pain, heavy flow, irregular cycles, or other period problems like acne, headaches and mood changes. If your teen experiences very heavy flow, soaks through protection or requires both large tampons and large pads to prevent accidents she may benefit from an evaluation. If she has cycles that are so painful or bothersome that she misses school or social events, it may also be time to see us. Hormonal acne and acne that worsens with menses can also be treated in our office.
3. If your teen is headed to college.
We find that this is a great time to do some counseling with our young adults. As they prepare to leave home for the first time and explore their independence, it is a good opportunity to discuss plans for contraception, safe sex and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
4. If they are turning 21.
The age of 21 is when pap smear tests (cervical cancer screening) should begin. If your young adult has not yet seen us by age 21, it is time. We will do our best to talk them through their first exam and make sure it is a comfortable experience in a friendly environment.
WCJC is proud to take care of you and there is no better compliment to us then the referral of your friends and family! If you (or your daughter) would like to schedule a visit, please call us at:
913-491-4020
WCJC Aesthetics
8901 West 74th Street
Suite 1
Merriam, KS 66204
913-266-8926