Adolescent Gynaecology

Development from childhood to adulthood is quite an important phase and sometimes may encounter complex physiological and psychological issues.

Young women may encounter various health issues including vulval conditions, early and delayed puberty, congenital absence of the reproductive tract, and problems with fertility, to name a few and these often have associated psychological impact.

Therefore, holistic treatment includes alleviating physiological conditions while mitigating the psychological impact along the way.

Various conditions treated include

Disorders of development

• Conditions of abnormal uterine and vaginal development
• Rokitansky syndrome
• Androgen insensitivity syndrome
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Common childhood gynaecological problems

• Vaginal bleeding
• Vulvovaginitis
• Labial adhesions

Normal and abnormal puberty

• Ovarian and testicular function during infancy, childhood and adolescence
• Initiation and tempo of normal puberty
• Assessment of stage of puberty
• Causes and management of precocious puberty and delayed puberty

Adolescent problems

Menstrual disorders and pelvic pain in adolescence

• Dysmenorrhoea in teenagers – causes, diagnosis and management
• Other causes of pelvic pain
• Menorrhagia – investigation and management
• Management of ovarian cysts

Teenage contraception

• Oral contraceptives
• Role of depot progestagens
• Barrier methods
• When should an IUCD/IUS be used?
• Teenage pregnancy issues

Sexual health and Sexually transmitted infections

• Prevalence of STIs
• Screening
• Treatment
• Prevention strategies, including HPV vaccination
• Diagnosis of sexual abuse

Psychological support for girls (along the way and not a counselling service)

• Psychology of intersex conditions
• Understanding and coping with the diagnosis
• Support for timing of surgery, if needed