Question:
My cousin is 16 and suffering unbearable and unusual period pain in her lower back. She thinks she may have miscarried. Her period also came late. She is too scared to go to the doctor or hospital in case they tell her parents. What should she do?

Answer:

Girls are often scared about seeing their doctor about a personal health issue as they worry about the repercussions from parents. But your cousin can be reassured that a consultation with her doctor is private and confidential and the most important thing is getting medical advice immediately, especially if there is unusual or unbearable pain.

It's hard to say if the pain your cousin is feeling is related to a miscarriage or if there is another reason for it. Pelvic infections, hormonal period pains or other abdominal conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, may also trigger unusual symptoms. The key is to seen a doctor quickly, as the sooner she is diagnosed, the sooner she can recover. Tests may also need to be taken to sort out a diagnosis. Young women are often worried about the issue of informing parents. But at age 16, you can usually consent to your own check up and treatment without informing your parents.

Although many teenagers find it hard to talk to their parents about certain health or sexual matters, parents' support can also be valuable. From the age of 15, you can also get your own Medicare card. So I would encourage your cousin to seek medical help and reassure her that the doctor is there to help. A good resource for information on young women's health is www.fpahealth.org.au