Adolescent gynaecology: satisfying the needs for special patients

1 Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Hospital Department of Gynecology, 06500, Ankara, Turkey 2 Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Hospital Department of Pediatrics, 06500, Ankara, Turkey Abstract Introduction Adolescent gynaecology requires special attention for understanding the dynamics of the adolescent’s psychological and physiological circumstances. The first gynaecologic examination can be an important factor for establishing a long-term relationship. Creating a relaxing comfortable environment is essential for making the patient comfortable. As such, practitioners should be at ease discussing a variety of issues with adolescents, including eating disorders, substance abuse, house and school environment and dating violence. The practitioner should be familiar with the differential diagnosis, evaluation and management of diseases which are common in the adolescent period as amenorrhoea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Thus, recognition and prompt treatment of both diseases are advocated to prevent future fertility implications in a population with their entire fertility potential ahead of them. Conclusion Understanding these basic concepts is critical for complete care in a very important and unique age group. This review discusses adolescent gynaecology. Introduction Adolescent patients are always a challenge for a practitioner. First impact in the examination room for young girls may have a key role in their future health status. In this group, lack of self-consciousness about changes in their body makes the diagnosis more difficult. Referring for medical care usually delays during this period of their lives due to difficulties about defining pathological and physiological changes of youth. As mentioned in several textbooks about adolescent gynaecology and reviews about this topic as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee Opinion in July 2010 first reproductive visit provides an excellent opportunity for the gynaecologist to start a patient–practitioner relationship, build trust and dispel myths and fears1. During the first visit, careful patient interview with and without parents should precede genital examination. Full body physical examination usually gives excellent clues even for reproductive problems, and also provides excellent settlement between the practitioner and the teenager. The aim of this review was to discuss how to satisfy the needs for special patients in adolescent gynaecology.