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I am open to see patients face to face at Bella Vista, or via Telehealth
“Talking about periods and your ‘bits’ is often embarrassing for maturing young girls. As an adolescent gynaecologist, I ensure my patients feel comfortable talking through and managing these issues so they are empowered to focus on what they enjoy doing in life.”
– Dr Monique Atkinson
One of the most common statements mothers of my patients make to me is “I wish I had a paediatric gynaecologist when I was growing up!” We are lucky nowadays with a range of medications available that can make periods manageable.
Some of the conditions I commonly help young girls and their parents manage are outlined below.”
Going through puberty and getting their first period is often a big event in a young girl’s (and her parents’) life. Unfortunately some find their periods less easily managed than others due to them being unpredictable in their timing, too heavy, or too painful. We can discuss the multiple hormonal and non-hormonal strategies available to assist with managing periods from as early as when they first start, through to adulthood.
As a parent of a young girl with a chronic medical condition, you are already doing an amazing job navigating their routine care needs… and then puberty hits and throws in another challenge for you! Fortunately there are a number of ways we can manage (or aim to eliminate) your daughter’s periods to assist you and them with their transition to adulthood.
Normally a girl should expect to get her period by 16 years old, or one to two years after breast development commenced. If this is not the case, we should investigate if there is an underlying hormonal, genetic or structural cause. These can sometimes be confronting conditions to discuss as they may have significant impacts on fertility, as well as bone, heart, brain and sexual health – issues not often thought about until much later in life. I am happy to work with young girls and their families to empower them with knowledge about what options they have in the future if problems are encountered.
There are a number of conditions a girl may be born with that result in her having ovaries, a uterus or vagina that are formed differently, or not at all. These range in the significance of their consequence but may effect her fertility, sexual function, psychological health and progression through puberty and the development of breasts or periods.
Labial adhesions, also known as labial agglutination or labial fusion, describes a condition where a young girl’s labia (lips of the vagina) are temporarily fused together. It occurs in girls commonly between 3 months and around 3 years old due to them having a low oestrogen level. This makes the tissues more sensitive and inflamed, causing them to stick together. You may have noticed it when changing your daughter’s nappy or if she has unusual vaginal discharge, pain or multiple urinary tract infections. Reassuringly we can easily manage the agglutination through application of medicated creams over a number of weeks.
Some conditions (such as cancer, or autoimmune conditions) need to be treated with medications that cause damage to a young girl’s ovary (gonadotoxic). Strategies are now available to young girls which can be employed prior to receiving their gonadotoxic treatment. As a CREI subspecialist, I am able to work with the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and Westmead Fertility Centre, in order to arrange preservation of either mature eggs or ovarian tissue.
Vulvovaginitis may be the underlying cause of a young girl having itch, vaginal discharge, redness and discomfort. We can treat it using simple changes in routine practices (such as being mindful of nappy/underwear hygiene and avoiding exposure to potential irritants) or with the application of medicated ointments.
We offer a full spectrum of reproductive health care services for all our patients.
About 80% of couples conceive within the first six months of trying. If you've been trying for 6-12 months without success, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist.
Struggling to conceive naturally? There are many fertility treatments available, varying in invasiveness, duration, and cost. Whether it is by using medication, IUI, or IVF, we can help find the right path for you.
Planning a family is a big decision and it is important to be well informed about your decision to freeze your eggs.
I have held a passion for reproductive medicine for over fifteen years. I am humbled by the trust my patients place in me to be part of such a significant stage in their life.
I am open to see patients face to face at Bella Vista, or via Telehealth
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