Episode 9.9 Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Essentials

Join Howard and Janeen Arbuckle for this discussion of pediatric and adolescent gynecology essentials. Pediatric and adolescent gynecology is a newer discipline bringing specialized care to young women with unique gynecologic needs, with a focus on counseling, education, and age-appropriate interventions. • Abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents is rarely caused by structural problems (unlike in adults) and typically relates to immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis• Hematologic workup should be considered for adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding as this may be the first time their clotting system is challenged• Hormonal therapies are safe to use once menarche has occurred, with no impact on bone growth• Long-acting reversible contraceptives offer superior pregnancy prevention (1 in 10,000 for implants vs 8 in 100 for typical pill use) but require thoughtful counseling• Private interviews with adolescent patients create trust while preparing them for independent healthcare navigation• Tranexamic acid is effective for heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents but pill size and frequency can limit compliance• Most ovarian cysts in adolescents represent normal physiologic function and rarely require intervention• Preservation of reproductive organs should be prioritized in adolescent surgery, including leaving ovaries after torsion when possible• Vaginal bleeding in pre-pubertal girls requires assessment for secondary sexual characteristics to distinguish precocious puberty from other causes00:00:00 Introduction to Pediatric Gynecology00:07:20 Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Adolescents00:19:36 Contraception Choices for Young Patients00:29:40 Managing Difficult Patient-Parent Conversations00:38:04 Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis00:46:58 Adnexal Pathology and Ovarian Issues00:50:51 Congenital Anomalies and Vaginal BleedingFollow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.