The preteen and teenage years are taxing and have become increasingly difficult for a multitude of reasons. This is a part of the patient population that pediatricians really worry about. Part of the angst of this time of life has always been the changes that occur to kids’ bodies as they grow – particularly for young girls. This experience is different as they experience menarche, the onset of menstruation, which can be both psychologically and physically challenging. Menstrual irregularities are very common, occurring in an estimated 14% to 25% of all women of childbearing age. Many gynecologic conditions diagnosed during childhood require treatment that extends into adulthood and it’s hard to stay abreast of all the new therapies and hormonal management strategies of menstruation. “When you can really connect with a teen who is so vulnerable so has just been struggling that recognizes that this is normal, that they are not alone, and that we can help, that’s pretty great,” Tricia Huguelet, MD, says.

Today we are joined Dr. Huguelet, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. While she didn’t always plan for this career route, she developed a love for pediatrics from an early age. She fondly reflects on her memories going on rounds with her father who was a pediatrician focusing on pediatric infectious disease. Combining her love for children with her passion for surgery, she has become the section chief of pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Children’s Colorado, as well as a faculty member in the OBGYN department at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “When I discovered that not only could I do reproductive care for women but then specifically focus in kids and teens it was a no brainer that that was where I was going to focus my time,” Dr. Huguelet says.

Dr. Huguelet explains how menstrual abnormalities are not just physically demanding, but can create a strain on mental health. “I mean I’ve had patients with bleeding disorders who we send letters to school and they still aren’t excused. So just the embarrassment over that and day to day life when you don’t want to talk about it, you certainly don’t want to show it, has a tremendously negative impact,” Dr. Huguelet says.

Some highlights from this episode include:  

• Most common menstrual abnormalities in children
• How to normalize these conversations between kids and parents
• Management and treatment of these abnormalities
• Mental health impacts from menstruation abnormalities

  For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org