Body Mass Index by Age-Girls

Step 1: Determine body mass index (BMI) by locating the intersection of the patient’s weight with the patient’s stature (see reverse side); Step 2: Determine where the patient’s BMI intersects with t...

Body Art

FS004

What is Body Art? Body art includes piercing, tattooing, and branding; Body art for decoration or rituals goes back thousands of years; In recent years, media stars and professional athletes have mad...

Depression

FS006

What is depression? Depression is a set of feelings of sadness, loss of pleasure, helplessness, and hopelessness that persist over time, for at least 2 weeks. Depression can be linked to alcohol ...

Dear Parent

Many parents wonder when to address their daughters’ gynecologic health issues. Adolescent girls are confronted with numerous challenges, and the decisions they make can have serious consequences f...

Blood Pressure Levels for Adolescent Girls by Age and Height Percentile

1. Use the standard height chart (on back) to determine the height percentile; 2. Measure and record the adolescent’s systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure levels; 3. Find the adolesce...

Billing and Coding Issues in Adolescent Reproductive Health

Adolescent reproductive health presents many challenges to the obstetrician–gynecologist. Issues related to adolescent psychosocial development and interaction with the family of the adolescent patie...

Alcohol Use-A Fact Sheet for Parents

FS028

As parents or guardians of teenagers, what should you know about alcohol use? Alcohol is the drug most often used and abused by teenagers; Alcohol use includes beer, wine, wine coolers, hard liquor, ...

Media and Body Image

FS014

Media play a large role in young people’s lives today, including television and music (radio and recordings), videos and movies, computers, print media, and video games. Along with many positive asp...

Internet Safety - A Fact Sheet for Parents

FS031

The Internet, including web sites, e-mail, chat rooms, social networking web sites, and instant messaging, is increasingly part of young people’s lives. Risks of Internet use by adolescents are an in...

Menstrual Periods

FS016

What is a menstrual period? Vaginal bleeding that occurs in adolescent girls and women as a result of hormonal changes. It usually happens in a predictable pattern, once a month, and is a sign you a...

Menstrual Cramps and Dysmenorrhea

FS015

What causes menstrual cramps? When most girls begin their menstrual cycles, muscle cramps in the uterus are caused by contractions that lead to discomfort and pain. The body produces a chemical call...

Media and Body Image - A Fact Sheet for Parents

FS032

How can the media have an impact on a teenager’s body image? Media play a large, and often negative, role in shaping young women’s ideas about how they should look, including television and music (r...

Internet Safety

FS012

What are the risks of using the Internet? All kinds of material are on the web. You may come across material that is inappropriate and disturbing, including sexual, violent, drug-promoting, or other...

Driving Safety - A Fact Sheet for Teens and Parents

FS007

Why is auto safety an issue for teenagers? Motor vehicle accidents (car crashes) are the number one cause of death among young people aged 16–20 years Motor vehicle accidents are a significant cause ...

Do You Have an Adolescent Girl in Your Family

We care about her health. Girls should first visit a gynecologist for health promotion, education, and prevention when they are 13–15 years old. Most girls do not need a pelvic examination at this ti...

Depression - A Fact Sheet for Parents

FS029

What is depression? Depression is a set of feelings of sadness, loss of pleasure, helplessness, and hopelessness that persist over time, for at least 2 weeks. Depression can be associated with al...

Acne

FS001

What is acne? Acne occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil; Bacteria become trapped in the pore and irritate the skin and hair follicle; The irritation around the plugged pore and h...

Acquaintance and Date Rape

FS002

What is rape or sexual assault? Any genital, oral, or anal penetration without consent (permission) is rape. Rape is a crime. Nothing a person does justifies being raped. Inappropriate touching also ...

Alcohol Use

FS003

What should you know about alcohol use? Alcohol is the drug most often used and abused by teenagers; Alcohol use includes beer, wine, wine coolers, hard liquor, and mixed drinks; Alcohol is a chemica...

Bone Mineral Density Concerns Should Not Discourage Use of Contraceptive Shot

Washington, DC -- Concerns about the effects of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)—the contraceptive shot—on bone mineral density (BMD) should not prevent clinicians from prescribin...

ACOG Directs Attention to Health Risks of Noncoital Sexual Activity

Washington, DC -- When counseling patients about preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it's important for physicians to ask direct questions about both intercourse and noncoital sexual act...

Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Bone Effects

Number 415

ABSTRACT: Although depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) loss during use, current evidence suggests that partial or full recovery of BMD occurs at the...

Vaginal Agenesis Diagnosis Management and Routine Care

Number 355

(Reaffirmed 2009, Replaces No. 274, July 2002)

ABSTRACT: Vaginal agenesis occurs in 1 of every 4,000.10,000 females. The most common cause of vaginal agenesis is congenital absence of the uterus and vagina, which also is referred to as mullerian ...

Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents - Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign

Number 349

(Reaffirmed 2009)

ABSTRACT: Young patients and their parents often are unsure about what represents normal menstrual patterns, and clinicians also may be unsure about normal ranges for menstrual cycle length and amoun...

ACOG Steps Up Efforts to Get Emergency Contraception to Women

Washington, DC -- From its Annual Clinical Meeting today, top leaders of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)-the preeminent authority on women's health-launched a new natio...