The Gynecologists at Avera Women's say girls should come in for their first exam between the ages of 13 and 15 and that first visit is much more about education than anything else. We do some screening for high risk behaviors, menstrual disorders, problems with pain, as well as educating them to what's normal for their body and age. We want to make sure they are going through normal developmental stages and a lot of counseling. We basically help them prepare for the remainder of their life as a woman.

Part of that initial exam also includes discussion on the human papillomavirus which is a sexually transmitted disease that causes most cervical cancers. They also talk about the vaccine that protects against it.