Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Program's Yale Medicine experts provide specialized gynecologic care to young females from birth through adolescence and into early adulthood.
Our fellowship-trained pediatric gynecologists provide compassionate medical care to young female patients in tandem with a devoted team of experienced nurses. Their roles extend well beyond providing excellent medical care; they strive to fulfill emotional and psychological needs of young patients as they travel through their life journeys.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that an initial visit to a gynecologist should take place between ages 13 and 15. During this first visit, young female patients will initiate the doctor-patient relationship and obtain education about reproductive health and healthy choices. In our family-centered setting, we put our young patients at ease by dispelling common fears and myths.
We provide expert consultation for a variety of gynecologic conditions:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (pre- and post-menarchal)
- Contraceptive management for patients with complex medical histories
- Fertility preservation for children, adolescents, and young women with cancer or other medical conditions which may compromise future childbearing
- Genital trauma
- Gynecologic issues related to gender identity in teens
- Menstrual irregularities in young women with physical and mental disabilities
- Obstructive anomalies of the female reproductive system, such as imperforate hymen and/or transverse vaginal septum
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), ovarian cysts and other pelvic masses
- Pelvic pain and endometriosis in adolescent females
- Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
- Primary and secondary amenorrhea
- Vaginal discharge and infections in teenagers
- Vulvar disorders
We closely collaborate with the following pediatric specialties:
Specialized Programs
Adolescent Gynecology and Endocrinology Program (AGE-P)
The Adolescent Gynecology and Endocrinology Program (AGE-P), the only one of its kind in the state of Connecticut, provides comprehensive gynecologic and endocrine care to adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or those who are at risk for PCOS. Our coordinated multidisciplinary team employs both conventional medicine and a holistic approach to evaluate, treat and manage the hormonal aspects of PCOS. Also addressed is prevention of associated obesity and obesity-related metabolic complications through dietary, exercise and medication interventions. Our team is committed to providing compassionate, family-centered care to support the health and psychosocial needs of these patients.
Differences/Variations in Sexual Development (DSD)
DSD is a broad term used for medical conditions in which development of sex chromosomes, gonads or sexual anatomy is atypical. Our pediatric and adolescent gynecology specialists are part of this multidisciplinary program that includes pediatric endocrinology, urology genetics, psychology and social work. During the visit, our specialists will address the multiple health and psychologic needs of children, adolescents and young adults with DSD. Common diagnoses that we treat in this setting are congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen insensitivity, Klinefelter's syndrome, Turner's syndrome, gonadal dysgenesis, hypospadias, and other variations that may impact sexual development.
Pelvic Pain Program
Yale Medicine specialists treat pelvic pain in girls, adolescents and young women. Patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary team of experts in gynecology, pain disorders, gastroenterology, urology, psychology and more. Pelvic pain is common in young girls and can be caused by a variety of gynecologic conditions, including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and menstrual issues. Non-gynecologic causes can include functional abdominal pain, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, bladder spasms, as well as musculoskeletal pain.
