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Adolescent Care

Pediatrics of Southwest Houston Our Services Adolescent Care

Pediatrics of Southwest Houston

Pediatricians located in Houston, Bellaire, TX

Your teen needs routine and preventative care, just like they did during childhood. When it’s time for your adolescent to see a doctor, make an appointment at Pediatrics of Southwest Houston. Your young adult meets with the expert pediatric team at Pediatrics of Southwest Houston who specializes in working with teens (and their parents). The practice also helps with school and sports physicals, if your teen needs to have those performed. If you’re in the Houston area, make your child’s first visit by calling the office, or booking an appointment online.

Adolescent Care Q & A

What types of preventative care does my teenager need?

Your teenager continues to grow, experience puberty, and develop throughout teen years. When they have a relationship with a pediatrician, your teen has someone they can trust to help with medical questions or concerns. Beginning at age 12 or 13 we routinely set aside some time for the doctor to speak with the teenager alone at the well visits.

If your adolescent is healthy, plan on bringing them in for a checkup about once a year. Of course, you’re more than welcome to come in more often if needed.

During those visits, your teen’s pediatrician starts looking for any red flags that may become health concerns later on in life and works to prevent any medical issues. Preventative care can include:

  • Obesity screening

  • Nutrition counseling

  • Immunization updates

  • Behavioral counseling

  • Sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening

  • Birth control discussions

  • Blood or urine lab work

When does my daughter need her first pelvic exam?

Your daughter’s first gynecological exam should occur between the ages of 13 and 15. This exam is a chance for your teen to talk with her pediatrician about menstruation, cramps, sexual activities, or other health concerns.

This teen well visit usually includes a general physical exam and an external genital exam only. Unless your daughter has abnormal circumstances, like a sexually transmitted disease or severe menstrual cramps, she most likely won’t need an internal pelvic exam during her teen years. You, as the parent, may be present for all or part of this exam, depending on your daughter’s needs and comfort level. We recommend establishing routine care with a gynecologist and beginning pap smears and pelvic exams around age 21.

Which immunizations does my teenager need?

It depends on their age, as well as whether or not your teen is up to date on immunizations. By age 13, your adolescent should have the following vaccines and vaccinations:

  • Hepatitis A and B

  • Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

  • Chickenpox

  • Meningococcal vaccine

  • Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis booster (Tdap)

  • Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV)

  • Flu shot

  • Pneumococcus
  • Polio
  • Hemophilus Influenzae

 

The pediatricians at Pediatrics of Southwest Houston work with your teen if they’re behind on any immunizations. As your teen gets older, they need fewer immunizations.

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