21 Reasons to See a Gynecologist Before You Turn 21

Gynecological care falls into five domains: health, periods, sexuality and relationships, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. It is extremely important to learn about healthy lifestyles and how to feel good about yourself. Developing good habits cannot only make you feel good but give you healthy bones. Healthy habits also allow you to find issues in your body such as urinary tract infections, vaginal itching, discharge, or other symptoms and their treatment options. This gets us used to what is normal and what isn’t. For example, it is important to know what is normal for our periods. Is it too painful, is the flow too heavy, what is the timing of my period? It is important to ask these questions to not only deal with your period, but how to deal with premenstrual syndrome as well. Being knowledgeable on your body permits us to have healthy romantic relationships. This can also mean learning what a consensual relationship is and what your partner’s sexual preference is. With this information you can have safe sex. Safe sex limits your risk of catching sexually transmitted infections. Preventative care such as HPV vaccines and regular testing is recommended if you are sexually active. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your partner about how your reproductive system works, you can always go to your provider to assist you, from periods to pregnancy. It is extremely important that you know your options when it comes to pregnancy. If you aren’t ready, there are many forms of birth control, such as oral contraceptives, IUD, and implants among many others. If you are ready to start a family it is important to confirm the pregnancy and then weigh your options. Always go to your provider for any concerns you may have about your body.

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ACOG American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists