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About Adolescent Medicine
Adolescent medicine professionals uniquely specialize in all the physical, emotional, and social challenges teens face. The team at Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania includes exceptional adolescent medicine specialists who have helped many teens and young adults navigate these difficult years. They have 12 offices in Nuremberg, Sullivan Trail Falls, Freeland, Hazleton, Monroe Township, Wilkes-Barre, Shickshinny, and Edwardsville, Pennsylvania. To schedule an appointment, use the online booking feature or call the nearest office today.
"Every staff member in this clinic, from the receptionist to the doctor, are always so genuinely friendly, caring, and helpful..."
"They truly care about their patients and what they do."
"Everyone working there is always pleasant and courteous and make you feel at ease."
Adolescent Medicine Q & A
What is adolescent medicine?
An adolescent medicine physician specializes in the unique challenges faced by preteens, teens, and young adults. These specialists start seeing young women and men as soon as they reach puberty.
Puberty begins when a child's body starts to develop into an adult body, with changes such as menstruation and breast and penis growth. These changes typically begin between 10 to 13 but can start as early as age 8 or 9. Adolescent specialists see young adults up to the age of 21.
Why should I see an adolescent medicine specialist?
The teen years bring a wave of physical, emotional, sexual, and cognitive (brain) changes that make life incredibly challenging. Though adolescent medicine specialists help teens understand hormones and all the bodily changes throughout adolescence, they also support all aspects of their emotional and physical health.
Adolescent medicine specialists have extra training in the complex issues teens face, including:
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Mood changes
- Mental health problems
- Behavioral problems
- Eating disorders
- Relationship struggles
- Birth control and sexuality
- Irregular and painful periods
- Questions about gender identity
- Problems at home and school
- Dealing with peer pressure
No matter what challenges teens experience, they can depend on honest, respectful help from an adolescent medicine specialist.
What should I expect during an adolescent medicine appointment?
What happens during an adolescent appointment depends on the reason for your visit. Some teens have a medical problem that needs an exam, diagnostic tests, or medication.
Teens may need a routine physical exam, want birth control, need testing for a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or have questions about their bodies.
Other teens need to talk. They may face emotional issues like depression and anxiety or want guidance because they find it hard to socialize or have ongoing conflicts with parents or peers.
Is adolescent medicine confidential?
Your adolescent medicine provider protects your privacy as much as the law allows. In Pennsylvania, your provider does not need to tell your parents about what you talk about or your physical exam.
Teens don't need their parent's permission to get treatment for mental health, substance abuse, and things related to sexuality. For example, teens can get their own birth control, testing and treatment for STDs, and Pap tests.
Though your provider can perform a physical exam and keep it confidential, they can't provide medical treatment to anyone under 18 without parental consent.
If you need help from an adolescent medicine specialist, call Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, or book an appointment online today.