Why do American girls go to a Gyno regularly from a young age ?

Question

when Australian women don't? We don't even have 'physicals' with our GPs during puberty.

Does this seem like a weird cultural thing? (The only reason why women would ever see a gyno here would be for a specific problem - eg. pregnancy/infection - certainly not just a general check-up)

Answer 1

In regards to another comment related to this question, even women that are virgins can get cervical cancer.

As many as 30% of cervical cancers cases are NOT HPV related. There are nuns that have been diagnosed with HPV and cervical cancer. A gynecologist or midwife is best suited for giving papsmears and exams because this is their specialized field of medicine. They may notice abnormalities where a general health care practitioner might not.

Answer 2

any women should get screened for cervical cancer that's why they go to the gyno  

Answer 3

Same with English girls, when we start to have s*x or reach 21, we're supposed to go for a 'smear' which is to check for cervical cancer.

We get regular letters through telling us when our next smear test is due.

Same as in Australia, we'd only have a physical of we had a specific problem :)

Answer 4

idk..i haven't seen a gyno yet...normally it's just to see if you're devloping like you should be...

oh and physicals are just if you plan on playing sports( to make sure you are physically fit to play the sport) and normally you can get them done at any doctor...and physicals are required in the US...so it's pretty normal over here...i play sports i know....

Answer 5

it's recommended to go when you start to be sexually active or by the age of 21. No this does not seem like a weird cultural thing it is smart to get checked out and screened for cancer or a sexually transmitted disease it's about early prevention.  

Answer 6

I'm not sure - you don't really need to go unless you're having s*x or have some kind of problem (excessive periods, pregnancy, PCOS).  It might just be that American girls have s*x younger.....Or the girls who post on the internet question rooms have s*x younger :p Something like that.  There is a big push over here to get Gardisil - a vaccine against HPV...... I know it's easier to get from a gyno than a GP or pediatrician.  (I think that's the "we care about cancer comments...I'm not sure, my age group isn't elligible, so we don't really pay attention to the advertising :p )

Most schools require vaccinations for entry into school - it's up to your doctor if they do a whole "physical." And even then, it's usually like, height, weight, do you have anything I should know about.  Not like, a full scale gyno exam. I didn't even have BP taken til I was teenager and passed out (I had pneumonia).  

Answer 7

only if there not virgins

Answer 8

Perhaps American women are more concerned with getting cancer than Australian women.  Physicals with GPs are required for school in the US.  

Answer 9

Many problems can occur during puberty and the earlier cancer,etc. is detected the easier it is to treat. Just better preventative medical care. Also a good way to teach young girls about birth control, etc. Also, MD's are looking for signs of molestation, rape,etc.

Answer 10

i went to the gyno when i was 13 not because i was having s*x but because i was having really bad periods where it was so bad that i  stayed home from school every time i had my period my mom took me to the gyno just for help they dont clean you or anything! unless you have s*x...its not a cultral thing its a parenting thing

Answer 11

I dunno.. I had to start going right before my 13th birthday..

But; I had a lump inside me and tampons wouldn't fit right.. so i had to get checked.. and then I had to get it once every year just to make sure the lump hasn't come back..

I'm 16 now.. and they said since it keeps coming back they're gonna cut it out..because they think it's cancer..it's something that runs in my Mom's family..

soo; had I not started going at a young age; I wouldn't have known...

Answer 12

It's recommended that women/girls in the US have their first gynecological exam when they become sexually active or if they have family history of health concerns.