GYN Doctors serving patients in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk & Portsmouth

A Gynecology Specialists note: Following is an excellent article by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Since 2004, our GYN doctors have helped girls, teens and parents better understand puberty and more in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and throughout Hampton Roads. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our GYN Clinic at (757) 312-8221.

The Top 3 Questions Parents Ask About Their Daughters and Puberty

March 2021

Puberty is a time of growth, and it can be a confusing and awkward time for parents and girls alike. Often parents don’t want to see their little girls growing up, and girls can be scared about all the changes.

The first time a teen comes in with her parent or guardian, sometimes the adult does most of the talking. Here are the three most common questions that our Gyn doctors in Chesapeake are asked:

1. How do I know if puberty has started?

The first sign of puberty in a young girl is breast development. The average age of breast development is 10, though some girls develop later and some develop earlier.

Puberty is a process. After breast development starts, there are a series of changes that involve pubic hair and underarm hair growth, growth spurts, and her first period.

2. How old will my daughter be when she has her first period?

The average age of menarche (when a girl gets her first period) in the United States is about 12 and a half. On average, a girl’s first period is 2 years after breast development begins. If breast development starts earlier, it’s possible she may start her period earlier. If breast development is later, she may start her period later. The whole process varies from girl to girl.

3. Will my daughter grow taller after she starts her period?

A girl’s largest growth spurt is typically just before she starts her period. A girl may grow slightly after she starts her period, but her major growth spurt is finished before the first period.

First Gyn visit

Most Gyn doctors in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Portsmouth recommend that a girl’s first Gyn appointment be between ages 13 and 15. This office visit allows a teen to get her questions answered and to start a relationship with her gynecologist. A lot of times these conversations also allow us to address any risky behaviors that might be on a girl’s mind like drinking, sex, vaping, and more. Most girls don’t need a pelvic exam during their first visit.

Also, we want you to have the right information as a parent. There’s so much that’s available in the age of the internet, but it’s hard to know if what you read is accurate. When you get information straight from a gynecologist, you’ll know that what you’re hearing is as correct and up to date as possible.

Asking questions

It is also important that girls talk with parents, guardians, or trusted adults to learn more about the changes they are going through. There are also a lot of good books out there, so if it’s hard to start that conversation with family, a book is a great way to begin.

Some teens feel awkward talking about puberty. Our Gyn doctors in Chesapeake encourage girls not to be shy, whether they’re talking with a gyn or their parents. But girls should have some time alone with their Gyn doctor, without parents in the exam room, so they can ask questions that they may feel are personal.

We want girls to ask all of the questions they have. There are no wrong questions, and we are here to help. We want to make sure every girl has the information she needs to understand her body and to take charge of her health – now and in the future.

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If you have any questions about your daughter's health, please contact our GYN Clinic at (757) 312-8221 or by clicking here. 

About our GYN doctors and clinic
Our all-female gynecologist practice covers a wide spectrum of gyn and health issues. Since 2004 our GYN doctors have been caring for women and teens in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth.