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Expert Care for Young Patients

Vaginal bleeding, pain and discharge have significantly different causes in children compared to adults, and they require a unique approach to evaluation, too. When a physical exam is needed, our compassionate team is committed to helping your child feel calm and safe. To help reduce anxiety, we can:

• Offer immediate access to a child life specialist and a therapy dog
• Perform an exam while your child is under anesthesia at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, if indicated

Understanding Menstrual Concerns in Teens

For most teens with period problems, we can often start treatment without a pelvic exam or ultrasound. This is because the most common issues are cramps (primary dysmenorrhea) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Our team knows when it’s OK to start treatment right away and when we need to take a closer look. And, we work closely with physicians from Adolescent Medicine, Pediatric Endocrinology and Hematology/Oncology to make sure we consider any other possible causes of menstrual concerns in teens.

We believe it’s important to include both the teen and a parent in conversations about care. We explain treatment options and support the teen in making the choices that are right for them.

Surgical Care for Teen Gynecologic Conditions

If your teen needs surgery for a gynecologic condition, our highly experienced team is here to support you both through every step of treatment:

• Most ovarian cysts and masses in teens are benign and do not need surgery. When they do, we work carefully to protect healthy ovarian tissue.
• We diagnose and treat blockages in the reproductive tract, such as hymen or Müllerian abnormalities.
• We work closely with Pediatric Surgery and Behavioral Health to give comprehensive, supportive care.
• We do not just treat current problems — we also help teens build a strong foundation for making healthy reproductive choices in the future.