Adolescent gynaecology is a medical speciality that handles gynaecological issues of adolescent girls or younger females. The World Health Organisation describes adolescence as those within the age group of ten to nineteen years. Unlike the body of a woman, an adolescent girl’s body is less developed and still growing.

Gynaecological concerns in adolescents are typical. While severe pathology is rare, discomfort and distress can be significant. Prudent and sympathetic evaluation is critical when dealing with adolescent girls. Early detection and proper treatment of gynaecological disorder help ensure the best possible outcomes in fertility and sexual function. Amongst the various adolescent gynaecology issues, here are five of the most common ones in adolescent girls.

Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is a condition wherein a female experiences pain during a period. This pain is usually referred to as menstrual cramps. The condition can be categorised into two types: primary and secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea is a type of cramping pain that repeatedly occurs, not because of other illnesses. Typically, the pain comes within one to two days before the menstrual bleeding or when it begins. Girls will often feel pain around their back, lower abdomen or thighs. The pain can either be mild or severe and can last for twelve to seventy-two hours.

The menstrual pain may also occur along with other symptoms, including fatigue, nausea or diarrhoea. In many cases, the cramping becomes less painful as a female grows older and might even completely cease after childbirth.

On the other hand, secondary dysmenorrhea is pain caused by some other diseases in a woman’s reproductive organ, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. The pain begins early in the menstrual cycle and may last longer. Unlike primary dysmenorrhea, secondary dysmenorrhea does not happen with other symptoms like vomiting or nausea.

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is a condition wherein menstrual bleeding is the absence or usually described as the absence of one or more menstrual periods. Amenorrhea is classified into two types: primary and secondary.

Primary amenorrhea can be of two kinds of conditions. In the first condition, a fourteen-year-old girl experiences deficiency of menstrual bleeding and secondary sexual characteristics, including breast and pubic hair development.

In primary amenorrhea’s second condition, a sixteen-year-old girl experiencing menstrual bleeding absence occurs in girls that have not had their period by the age of fifteen. Hormone levels typically cause this condition. Anatomical issues may also cause amenorrhea.

On the other hand, secondary amenorrhea is characterised by the absence of three or more menstrual bleeding in a row by a woman who has experienced menstruation in the past. The most common cause of this condition is pregnancy. Still, hormone problems may also lead to secondary amenorrhea.

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Abnormal vaginal bleeding happens between menstruation, after sex, after menopause, and during menstruation but with heavier than normal bleeding or bleeding that lasts longer than normal. Abnormal vaginal bleeding during adolescence typically has non-organic causes. Nevertheless, a careful elimination of organic causes is required before making a diagnosis of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Adolescent girls experiencing this situation should consult with a gynecologist Singapore to determine the reason for the bleeding and get proper treatment.

STDs or Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually-transmitted diseases are conditions that are transmitted from one person to another via sexual contact. STDs is also known as STIs (sexually transmitted infections) or VD (venereal disease). An individual can contract an STD when having unprotected oral, vaginal or anal with someone infected with STD. 

Some common STDs in Singapore are:

• HIV or AIDS
• Gonorrhoea
• Chlamydia
• Syphilis
• Herpes
• Genital warts

Girls who suspect they are infected with STD should visit a gynecologist as soon as possible. Treating STDs early is critical to lower the risk of complications and prevent the infection from spreading to others.

Contraception

Working knowledge about contraception gives considerable support to the paediatrician to promote sexual health preference and managing typical adolescent gynaecological diseases. The best practices for offering guidance to adolescent includes the following:

• Review sexual health history
• Perform screening for STDs and pregnancy
• Offer proper counselling
• Provide contraceptives

A long-term relationship between paediatricians and adolescents and their families helps promote healthy sexual decision-making, including abstinence and contraceptive use.

Conclusion

The most common gynaecological problems among adolescent girls include dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, abnormal vaginal bleeding, STDs or STIs, and contraception. Those who experience these gynaecological issues should consult with the best gynecologist Singapore for early detection and treatment and avoid further complications.