INFO:

Gynecological examination of the prepubertal girl can be challenging. In the office setting, the examination should be limited to external inspection only; speculum exams should not be performed in pediatric patients. Procedures such as vaginoscopy can be used for the diagnosis of gynecologic conditions in prepubertal girls. In this video, pediatric and adolescent gynecologist Veronica Alaniz, MD, discusses the indications, proper technique and risks of vaginoscopy and hysteroscopy. Vaginoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that can be used to evaluate the inside of the vagina and is recommended for girls who are too young for a speculum exam or cannot tolerate one. Hysteroscopy is a procedure to evaluate and manage issues of the uterine cavity and is typically only performed in adolescents when indicated. Hysteroscopy is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. When indicated, both vaginoscopy and hysteroscopy procedures can be performed by a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. For more information, visit https://www.childrenscolorado.org/doctors-and-departments/departments/pediatric-gynecology/.