I just attended the Annual Clinical meeting of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists in Washington, DC last week. I was interested to hear that a recommendation of an ACOG Task Force is that adolescent women (girls?) between the ages of 12 and 14 are now encouraged to have an appointment with an ob-gyn physician before they become sexually active. I mention this because many of my patients have asked me over the years, “when should my daughter have her first visit?”

The purpose of the early visit is not necessarily to perform an examination or Pap smear. Unless she is having problems with her periods, an exam really isn’t necessary. It is merely a chance to have a conversation during which reproductive health topics may be discussed, and questions answered.

It is the opinion of the task force that these subjects are not being adequately covered by school programs, pediatricians, and family physicians, and that early education and familiarization with ob-gyns will help decrease unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease in this vulnerable population. Providing a link to an ob-gyn practice will hopefully improve access to birth control and emergency contraception, as well as STD information and screening, and abstinence support. And, with the new HPV vaccine that will be available this year, it seems prudent to get the word out there about cervical cancer prevention.

I think this is a great idea. Since 75% of high-school students now admit to having sexual intercourse, it seems the earlier the better to initiate these conversations.

Related Topics: Media May Prompt Teen Sex, Teen Virginity Pledges: Can They Work?

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