Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology: My adolescent daughter is being difficult. Could she have a hormone problem?

It is true that hormones are responsible for the physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence. The concept that your daughter's hormones are out of balance and the cause of the family's problems is highly unlikely. As an adolescent matures towards adulthood, nature provides the physical and to some extent the emotional development necessary for independent survival. Even children nurtured in a strong family unit may have difficulties realigning their role. Parents may find it difficult to accept rejection of their advice whilst the adolescent may find it difficult to realise that parenthood is for life. George Orwell once summarised the conundrum as follows. Each generation imagines itself more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.

Q 5. 1 Our baby has had a little vaginal bleeding. Is this worrying?
Q 5. 2 What are intersex states?
Q 5. 3 Our toddler does not seem to have a normal opening down below. What should be done?
Q 5. 4 My little girl has a vaginal discharge. What might be the cause?
Q 5. 5 What is puberty?
Q 5. 6 What is precocious puberty?
Q 5.7 Our teenage daughter's periods have not started yet. When should we seek medical advice?
Q 5. 8 Our daughter's periods are occurring infrequently. Should we be concerned?
Q 5. 9 What is adolescence?
Q 5. 10 What is acne and how can acne be treated?
Q 5. 11 Our teenage daughter seems to have more body hair than we would expect. What should be done?
Q 5. 12 Our teenage daughter's periods are so heavy that she has to be absent from school. What can we do?
Q 5. 13 How does the doctor determine the treatment of heavy periods for an adolescent?
Q 5. 14 How long should treatment of heavy periods be continued with an adolescent?
Q 5. 15 Should a D and C (cervical dilatation and curettage Q 24.12) be performed for an adolescent with period problems?
Q 5. 16 Are there any particular worries about a teen pregnancy?
Q 5. 17 What should be the purpose of sex education?
Q 5.18 My adolescent daughter is being difficult. Could she have an underlying hormone problem?
Q 5. 19 Are there any special contraceptive considerations for teenagers?
Q 5. 20 What contraceptive options are available to adolescents?
Q 5. 21 Are there any medical worries if a young teenager takes the oral contraceptive pill?
Q 5. 22 Can a teenager use emergency contraception?
Q 5. 23 Where can I obtain more information?
Q 5. 24 Could I have some child support groups and teen support groups?
Q 5. 25 Could I have some acne support groups?

Do you have an unanswered women's health question?

Please let us have your general question on our NEW FORUM / MESSAGE BOARDS facility and we will try to answer it for you. I am sure that you will appreciate that we cannot offer advice on the management of an individual's specific problem.

Please subscribe to receive our FREE women's health newsletter. STAY UP TO DATE on the important issues affecting YOUR HEALTH.
First Name:
Family Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:
Age:

DISCLAIMER

The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.

Thank you for your visiting us at 2womenshealth.com.

This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London.

I do hope that you find the answers to your questions in the patient information and medical advice provided. If you still have unanswered questions, please consider entering them into one of our forums and I will try to assist you.