when do teens start seeing GP on their own.?

[brimfull]

I am taking dd to see GP about her irregular periods..but I do feel a bit like she should be doing this on her own now. She is 16 ..17 next month and quite happy to have me there..in fact I think she expects it.Am I mollycoddling her?

well we went and she did all the talking,tbh it was helpful that I was there as w discussed our period histories ,looks like she may have pcos like me

I occasionally go with ds1 (who is 17)

He had a sore willy not long ago and i had to go

Other times he goes alone thank god. Has gone to dentist alone for ages tho.

Don't forget that the doctor may need to know if she is sexually active & may prefer to ask without you there. When DD started having fainting problems (she was 15)I went in with her because I wasn't sure she wasn't going to pass out again, but once the doctor had done the routine checks, he said 'I'd just like to ask DD a few more questions if you'd like to wait outside' and I went - DD told me later what he'd asked her.

she did ask that rusty

Of course, as your DD is over 16, it's not quite such an issue as it would have been for a fifteen year old.

yes never thought of that

It can still be awkward when a doctor has to ask the parent to leave or gives the patient the choice. The patient is automatically worried that their parent will think they're up to no good, even when they're not!

Ds (16) was sent recently by himself for what I thought was impetigo (rugby season again!), and the doctor packed him off the hospital for Lymes Disease. Felt guilty about that!

Having said that, he was born with a cleft lip and palate, and dh and I always go with him to those appointments, particularly as they often involve discussions about possible treatments etc.

Dd (15) asks me to go at present, but no doubt that will change shortly.

so do they have to ask parents to leave if patient under 16?

dd1 is 16 and now goes on her own, but if she wants you there, then i would go with her

for girls - when they want contraception!
I definately went on my own at 16 to get travel jabs, I don't remember before that.
But if she wants you there I don't see what is wrong with that.
FWIW when I went for my travel jabs I fainted and they had to call my mum to come and get me.

just seen that you have already been - duh.

If she wants you there, then go with her. You are not mollycoddling her at all - and you will be better informed and better able to help her take decisions on the basis of the advice she receives from the GP.

can I just sneak in and report that GP's name was Dr Fanjul

I was on the pill from 13 as my cycle was so haywire, Mum always went with me. I wasn't much older when my GP asked in front of Mum, I hadn't even had a BF then. She then sent Mum out the room and asked again! Similar sort of age she told me it would get better when I had a baby - Mum wasn't impressed! I wouldn't know if it works though as breastfeeding has kept my cycle slow.

ggirl- Age isn't the main determinant if whether parents get asked to leave. Just because a teenager is under 16, doesn't give the parent automatic rights to being in the ocnsultation or involved in any decision-making. We are obliged to assess any minors for 'competence' when they are seen alone and whether it is appropriate to treat in the absence of parental consent.

When I see a girl under 16 presenting with period problems, abdominal pain, discharge, etc who is accompanied by an adult, I might say 'I need to ask you some personal questions, which you may find embarrassing. Would you prefer your mum to stay or would you rather she waited outside for a moment?'. I always address the patient, not the parent and leave the decision with the patient. I have never met a parent who refused to leave!

ggirl, think we might have something in common. My DD is younger at 14 and I've wondered this about the age she may go on her own. We are waiting for an ultrasound. I go with her to appointments and end up crying, then again I cry at everything. CAT me if you like.

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread, just saw this and PCOS and posted.

emma-ah didn't realise,I thought all under 16's had to be accompanied..you learn something everyday.
I was quite happy to let her go alone,but she did want support. ,but yes I would've bolted out the door if asked.She needs to gain a bit of confidence with this sort of thing though ..probably cos she never goes to dr.

alleve-is your dd being investigated for pcos?DD also to have ultrsound and bloodtests but better to know if she has it or not.
I am glad that I am aware of the symptoms etc as I was growing up I'd never heard of it.I was diagnosed about 20 yrs ago and had to go to a bookshop to look it up and I am a nurse

Yes she is being investigated for PCOS. Would be nice to chat off-site. I have CAT.

have cated you

Good ggirl, having trouble getting into my email just now but will love to reply as soon as the tech stuff is sorted. Not sure what is wrong.