Adolescent Gynecology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xix

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2. The Initial Encounter

   • Alvin F. Goldfarb

   Pages 1-6

3. Pubertal Development

   • Edward E. Wallach, Alfred M. Bongiovanni

   Pages 7-25

4. Ovarian Dysfunction in the Adolescent

   • Leonore C. Huppert

   Pages 27-53

5. Sexual Behavior in Adolescence

   • Harold I. Lief

   Pages 55-88

6. Teenage Pregnancy

   • Helen O. Dickens, Dale M. Allison

   Pages 89-118

7. Contraceptive Use among Adolescents

   • George R. Huggins

   Pages 119-143

8. Venereal Disease in Adolescents

   • Gregory C. Bolton

   Pages 145-165

9. Rape of the Adolescent

   • Joseph A. Zeccardi

   Pages 167-177

10. Gynecologic Tumors of Adolescence

    • James D. Garnet

    Pages 179-210

11. Laboratory Evaluation in Adolescence

    • Alfred M. Bongiovanni

    Pages 211-226

12. Legal Considerations in the Treatment of Minors

    • Elisa Bongiovanni

    Pages 227-240

13. Back Matter

    Pages 241-257

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ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER Adolescence is a time of significant change. The adolescent era spans the interval between childhood and adulthood. It is a time of physical, social, and even emotional upheaval. During this relatively brief period of time not only does physical growth accelerate but, of more significance in the biology of any species, the individual attains reproductive maturity. Within this time frame, the human being acquires the capacity to procreate and perpetuate our species. From a reproductive standpoint, throughout adeolescence the individual is being prepared for perhaps what might be considered the most important function an organism has during his/her brief sojourn on earth, namely to endow successor(s) with a minute quan­ tity of DNA to enable continuation of its form of life. The interlude be­ tween childhood and adulthood is not always socially or emotionally sim­ ple. The anatomic and physiologic modifications that come to pass during adolescence are not necessarily paralleled by a capacity to assume the societal responsibilities associated with reproductive maturity. Although the physiologic changes normally proceed in a predetermined fashion, adaptation to a changing role is a far more trying process. Accustomed to living in a child's world, the subject of adolescent change requires considerable time and understanding to facilitate exis­ tence in the adult world. The early stages of sexual awareness, for ex­ ample, are generally extremely confusing and, as evidenced by the in­ ordinately high frequency of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, can be extraordinarily dangerous.

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• adaptation
• biology
• child
• ecology
• pregnancy

• University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, USA

  Alfred M. Bongiovanni

Policies and ethics