What age do you have to be to go to the gyno?

Question

im 17 and i feel like i need to go get a check up. Do my parents have to go or can i go by myself and will it be confidential that i went?

Answer 1

You should start getting annual gynecological exams as soon as you become sexually active, or are at least 15 and have had your period for a minimum of 3 years or are 18 and never had a period. So says the Journal of Gynecology.

BTW, all general practitioners are well versed in the basics of gynecological care; they'll refer you out to an OB/GYN if they find anything abnormal that they think needs special attention.

PS - If you're not currently sexually active (as in still a virgin) NOW is the perfect time to talk to your doctor about the Gardisil cervical cancer/HPV vaccination. Its a three-injection series that will help protect you against the viruses that cause cervical cancer. But it can only be administered before you become sexually active.

Answer 2

It depends on where you live and the laws where you are from. Where I live (in Canada), you can see a doctor, gyn or any other without your parents knowing at the age of 14. The only thing you can't do is ask the doc to do something that could put your life in danger or could cause permanent damage. For example, you can't get an abortion without your parent's knowledge, as an abortion can render you sterile for life. So that's a no-go. Just for a check up, I'm pretty sure you can see a gyn without your parents knowing. But I just want to add this: Even if you can't see the gyn where you are without parental permission, you should go anyway if you feel you need a check up. If you have been sexually active and feel you may have caught an std, you really need to see the doc. There are some std's that won't kill you but will render you sterile. Please, don't hesitate to see the doc. I know what I'm saying here... I'm a mom with 2 daughters and I would rather know that my daughters are seeing a doc rather than hiding something that could be very hazardous to their health. You don't mess around with your health. Ever. It's important! Oh... one more thing: A doctor is obliged to keep what happens with you a secret as they are sworn to professional secrecy. I would suggest you contact a gyn doctors office and ask the secretary. She will tell you if you can see the doctor without parental consent.

Answer 3

You should definately go, at your age if you are sexually active or not you should go. And you go EVERY year for your ANNUAL check up. Every woman should be getting a pap smear every year. You can go without your parents and it can be confidential. I started going at 16 years old, and at 35 I have not missed one year. You may need your parents to go due to them having your proof of insurance. Just tell your mom that you feel you need to go. I never told my parents I was sexually active, I was just having really bad cramps and we needed to make sure everything was ok. It is not a totally unbearable experience, although not altogether enjoyable either. But it could save your life or insure your reproductive future.

Again, it is a yearly 'annual' pap smear. Not every 3 years!!

Also, I went to the health dept and had an exam to get put on the pill. I don't think it cost me anything. My parents most definately never knew about that.

Answer 4

If you feel like there is a reason that you should go, you should go. I don't know if at 17 if you can go without parental consent or confidentiality. A call to their office will answer all the questions you have though.

Answer 5

If you aren't sexualy active your first visit should be when you are 18, then one every year after. If you are sexualy active right now, then you should by all means go and get a check up at the gyno, and go every year afterward as well. Many gynocology offices will be discreet if you don't want your parents to know that you are going there, but that is only if you are older than the age of concent in your state. If you are that worried you should try your local Planned Parenthood. They will see you at 17 and they are always very discreet if you don't want parents finding out.

Answer 6

I'm not sure, but you can call and ask, most of the people who answer the phone will understand if you say your 17 and have never been...they will tell you what to do next, if they aren't helpful, try someone different...I went, I believe when I was 17, it was quite a while ago so I don't really remember. My step mom set it up I think, but later I found, woman doctors understood more, and were easier to talk to then the old man....But our Health Dept in town, if it was just for birth control, had the friendliest, nicest and easiest to talk to staff then anyone....

Answer 7

If you have a Planned Parethood in your city or county or nearby in another city, they will give you an appointment with complete privacy and without parental notification. There is nothing wrong with a young woman seeking gynecological care when she is 17. You need to start having yearly pap smears, breast exams and if necessary be put on some birth control if you are sexually active. They will also test you for all the STDs, test you for anemia, hypertension etc. It's a good physical. Good luck on good health!

Answer 8

Usually you begin going to the gynecologist when you turn 18 or you start having sex, whichever comes first. Your general practicioner should give you a referral, or some are even able to do the basics themselves. I'm not sure how it works in the US, but in Canada, all people are covered by their provincial health care, so no forms or anything are necessary (that may be needed to be signed by parents for insurance reasons). I suggest you call your doctor or a gynecologist and ask what the procedure is, they will be able to help.

Answer 9

if I may be so bold. talk to your parents. seriously. if you are just going cause of a checkup then there's nothing to be afraid of telling them. if you want to go cause you want on the pill and you are afraid they will freak, you are likely wrong. My twin sister was about your age when you went to our parents and told them that she wanted to talk to our family doctor about going on the pill. She was not sexually active at the time but she did have a boyfriend. She calmly and maturely explained that she wanted to go for a couple of reasons. one being that her periods never seemed to be regular and it was a pain and she wanted to hear from the doctor that everything was a-okay 'down there'. and yes she admitted that she wanted to talk about the pill. she was willing to admit that she hadn't had sex yet but it had crossed her mind and probably would even more when we started college the next year. and even though she was going to insist that the guy were a condom (for STD protection as well) sometimes they break.

Our parents were totally impressed by her maturity and her honesty and had no issues with calling the doctor. We needed our check ups soon anyway. He was at a family clinic with an inhouse OB/GYN that came to talk to my sister and gave her a clean bill of health and yes she did start taking the pill which also made her periods regular.

Answer 10

The information that you and your doctor discuss should always be confidential. If you use your parents insurance to pay for the visit they will probably find out. If you need to see someone cheaply, try your local Planned Parenthood.