Pediatric and adolescent gynecology through a global lens

Abstract

Girls and adolescents, aged 0–19 years make up almost 30% of the world’s female population yet their specific healthcare needs often slip between the gaps of pediatrics and adult women’s health. Pediatric and adolescent gynecology is the clinical field that endeavors to address the reproductive health needs of this age group. The environment and psychosocial well‐being, social determinants of health, have direct bearing on reproductive health, affecting menstrual cycles, menstrual hygiene, and risks for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. This narrative review will highlight common gynecologic conditions of adolescents, especially where diagnosis and management are distinct from adult women. It will also present preventive health strategies to improve reproductive health through vaccination, improved access to hygiene supplies and contraception.

Menstrual symptoms and subjective well-being among postmenarchal adolescents

“… 3 Nevertheless, adolescent menstrual health still faces specific obstacles. 4 Poor menstrual literacy, normalization, and stigma prevent young women from reporting or seeking help for menstrual health problems. 5 Symptoms among younger teens may often slip through the cracks because of unclear care responsibility among gynecology, pediatrics, or primary care services.…”

“… 5 Symptoms among younger teens may often slip through the cracks because of unclear care responsibility among gynecology, pediatrics, or primary care services. 4 , 6 Furthermore, children may have a relatively weak position in healthcare systems where choice is increasingly relevant. 7 …”

Reproductive justice in pediatric health care: a scoping review protocol

“…As a result, pediatric clinicians are increasingly being charged with providing specialized care to females during the pubertal period when sexual maturation is established with menarche (first menstruation) 4 . The average international age of menarche is between 12 and 13, 5 and approximately 90% of girls in the United States experience menarche by age 14 6 . Furthermore, nearly 50% of girls report having their first sexual intercourse by age 18 7 .…”

Inpatient disease spectrum and clinical characteristics of surgical disorders in pediatric and adolescent gynecology: A single-institute study of 12 years data from China

“…To the Editor : Pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) is a specialized branch of gynecology that focuses on reproductive health issues of women from infancy to adolescence. [ 1 ] In 1939, the Hungarian Dobszay first established the new branch. Since then, the PAG subject has begun to develop and gradually matured in the past 80 years.…”

“…The diseases young females experience in the gynecological field have own particularities. [ 1 ] Also, PAG shares connections with various medical disciplines, notably surgery. Investigating the inpatient disease spectrum, prevalence rates, and clinical characteristics of PAG surgical disorders is of significant clinical importance, yet no previous research has addressed this in China or other countries.…”