Caring for Teens and Young Adults
Maria Fareri Children's Hospital offers specialty services that focus on the unique physical and psychological characteristics of adolescents and young adults and their health needs. Our specialists are trained and experienced in meeting the distinct needs of this age group and can work with you and your child on a variety of medical care and specialty needs.
Adolescent Medicine Services
Select a service below for more information.
Our Adolescent Medicine specialists provide care to adolescents and young adults ages 12 - 21 years old for urgent issues relating to eating disorders and gynecologic and menstrual emergencies.
Eating Disorder Care
Board-certified Adolescent Medicine specialists who are experts in eating disorders care for our patients at the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital Eating Disorders service. Here we help patients with eating disorders and related health issues with a comprehensive holistic team of specialty doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists, and social workers. We provide advanced evidence-based guidelines that are individualized to care for each patient’s unique needs. We focus on wellness both in the hospital, and plan for future care following the hospital admission.
Gynecologic and Menstrual Emergencies
Our Adolescent Medicine specialists are experts in providing care for gynecologic and menstrual emergencies specific to this time of life using advanced evidenced-based practice guidelines that are catered to each adolescent and young adult’s needs.
Our Adolescent Gynecology program provides expert care and guidance for children and teens experiencing gynecologic health issues. Our compassionate team is dedicated to creating a comfortable and confidential environment for your teenager.
Our services cover a range of issues, from menstrual irregularities to contraception and more. We encourage open communication and are committed to educating adolescents about their bodies. Whether it's a routine check-up or addressing specific concerns, our specialists are here to support your child's well-being and provide the information needed to make informed decisions about their health. Some of the conditions we treat include:
- Amenorrhea (not having a period)
- Contraceptive counseling for all forms of birth control, including IUDs and contraceptive implants
- Irregular Periods
- Ovarian Cysts
- Painful or Heavy Periods
- Pap Smears
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- Testing and Treatment for STIs
- Vaginal Discharge
Navigating the topic of contraception is an important aspect of your teen’s healthcare. Our Adolescent Contraception program is designed to provide teenagers with the information and resources they need to make responsible choices regarding sexual health.
We offer a range of contraception options tailored to individual needs, from birth control pills to long-acting methods like IUDs. Our team is here to answer questions, address concerns, and ensure that your teenager has access to safe and effective contraceptive methods. We prioritize confidentiality and respect patient privacy, creating a supportive environment where teens can make informed decisions about their sexual health.
We understand that finding the right treatment for eating disorders is a crucial decision for parents. Our comprehensive Eating Disorder Management program at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital offers expert care and support for your child's recovery journey, treating eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), Bulimia, and binge eating. Care is offered in a variety of settings, including: outpatient, intensive outpatient, inpatient, and residential.
Our team of experienced physicians specialize in evidence-based treatments tailored to the specific needs of adolescents. We provide a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing medical, nutritional, and psychological interventions. Our goal is not only to address the physical aspects of these disorders but also to support emotional well-being and long-term recovery.
We encourage parents to explore their options and make informed decisions about their child's care. At Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, you can trust that your teenager will receive compassionate and effective treatment, empowering them on the path to a healthier, happier life.
Understanding Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Gender identity and sexual orientation can be complex topics for adolescents, young adults, and their families to navigate. It's important to distinguish between the two. Sexual orientation refers to the physical, romantic, or sexual attraction a person feels toward others, irrespective of their gender identity. Regardless of gender identity, a person may be attracted to individuals of the same sex, different sex, both, or none.
Gender identity, on the other hand, is a person's innermost sense of self as male, female, both, or something else entirely. When someone's gender identity doesn't align with the sex assigned at birth, they may identify as transgender.
What Is Gender Affirming Care?
Gender affirming care is a personalized approach to help individuals align their physical appearance with their gender identity. There is no single or “correct” way to achieve this alignment. Gender affirming care may involve various components, such as therapy, changes in clothing or name, medications, hormone therapy, and/or surgery. The specific treatment plan varies from person to person and can evolve over time.
Puberty Blockers and Hormone Therapy
For children and adolescents in puberty, the option of using puberty blockers may be considered. These are reversible medications that temporarily pause the natural progression of puberty. This provides individuals and their families with time to explore their options and can prevent the development of physical characteristics incongruent with their gender identity. If desired, puberty blockers can be discontinued to allow a typical puberty experience. Alternatively, individuals may choose to initiate hormone therapy for a more comprehensive gender transition.
Hormone therapy is administered by our healthcare providers and may include hormones and medications that block sex hormones, leading to physical changes that align with the desired gender identity.
Surgical Options
While not all transgender individuals opt for surgery, some choose to undergo specific procedures to further align their physical appearance with their gender identity. The timing of these surgeries typically occurs during late adolescence or young adulthood. Surgical options may include procedures related to the chest or genital area, depending on individual preferences.
Preventative Health Care for Transgender Individual
Transgender individuals have unique healthcare needs. Regular screenings are essential to monitor potential health issues related to transgender hormone use. Additionally, routine health screenings based on an individual's anatomy, such as Pap smears for trans male young adults, are also necessary.
Our healthcare team is committed to providing comprehensive, inclusive, and affirming care to transgender individuals, ensuring their physical and emotional well-being throughout their gender journey.
IUDs (Intrauterine Devices) and contraceptive implants are highly effective birth control methods that provide long-term protection without the need for daily maintenance. Modern IUDs are much safer than the IUDs of decades past. These devices may also be used to manage painful periods and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Our team specializes in the insertion, maintenance, and removal of IUDs and contraceptive implants. We prioritize patient comfort and safety throughout the process. If your child has questions about these contraceptive options or is experiencing any issues, our healthcare professionals are here to provide guidance and address concerns.
Regular check-ups are crucial to ensure the continued effectiveness of these devices. We offer convenient and confidential appointments, ensuring that your teenager receives the best care and support for their contraceptive needs.
Our Adolescent Medicine team is experienced in managing the unique menstrual conditions that may affect a teenager or young adult. Diagnostics can often be completed via blood and urine tests. In-office pelvic exams may also be performed when needed.
Conditions treated include:
- Amenorrhea (not having your period)
- Irregular Periods
- Ovarian Cysts
- Painful or Heavy Periods
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Our Adolescent Medicine providers are specially trained in the medical management of:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
Our team collaborates with therapists and psychologists to ensure comprehensive care for each patient. We provide ongoing education and support to patients and their families and also provide confidential care to support the young adult as they grow and mature into an independent adult.
Pre-Exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP) is medicine that may be taken daily by individuals who do not have HIV but may be at-risk for HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective (approximately 99 percent success in reducing the risk of HIV from sex). Because PrEP only aids in the prevention of HIV, condom use and other precautions are still necessary for the prevention of other STIs. Our Adolescent Medicine providers are specifically trained to provide PrEP in a confidential manner, along with STI screening and treatment.
Our team of specialists excels in delivering the latest evidence-based medical care tailored to the unique developmental needs of teens and young adults. We prioritize confidentiality and providing personalized care while supporting young adults in their journey toward greater independence from their families as they transition to adulthood. Our providers are highly skilled in:
- Annual Well Visits
- Screening tests as indicated
- Sick visits with same day availability
- Vaccinations
Adolescents and young adults may require routine testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Our team of Adolescent and Young Adult Specialists has specialized knowledge in addressing STIs and takes a developmentally appropriate approach to prevention and treatment. Furthermore, we respect and prioritize appropriate confidentiality requirements as we assist patients in managing their healthcare needs.
We partner with the WMCHealth’s Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program, to provide specialty Adolescent Medicine care to teens and young adults with cancer or who are survivors of cancer, both in our inpatient units and as outpatients.