Adolescent Gynaecology & Hormonal Health
Specialist, compassionate support for teenage girls — and the adults who care for them.
Adolescence is a time of rapid physical, emotional and hormonal change. For many teenage girls, this transition is smooth. For others, periods, hormones and gynaecological symptoms can become a source of distress, confusion, embarrassment or anxiety — often long before anyone realises they need medical support.
At Sirona Health, we provide thoughtful, evidence-based adolescent gynaecology care, helping teenagers understand their bodies while supporting parents to navigate what is normal, what is treatable, and when to seek help.
We work gently, respectfully and at the young person’s pace — always prioritising wellbeing, consent and trust.
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This service is suitable for teenage girls (typically aged 12–18) who are experiencing:
Difficult or painful periods
Very heavy, prolonged or irregular bleeding
Severe PMS or cyclical mood changes
Suspected PMDD in adolescents
Acne, unwanted hair growth or signs of PCOS
Delayed puberty or concerns about development
Periods affecting school attendance, sport or mental health
Anxiety around periods, body changes or hormonal symptoms
Questions about hormonal contraception for medical (not cosmetic) reasons
You do not need a diagnosis to book. Many families come simply because something doesn’t feel right.
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Teenage gynaecology requires a different approach to adult women’s health.
At Sirona, we focus on:
Education first — helping girls understand what their body is doing
Listening carefully — including to emotional and behavioural changes
Minimal, proportionate intervention — only when it genuinely helps
Trauma-informed care — particularly around exams, school stress and body image
Supporting autonomy while keeping parents appropriately involved
We never rush, dismiss concerns, or default to medication without explanation.
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Caring for teenagers means carefully balancing a young person’s growing independence with appropriate parental involvement and safeguarding. This can feel uncertain for parents, particularly when health issues relate to periods, hormones or mood.
At Sirona Health, we follow established UK legal and ethical guidance to ensure consultations are safe, respectful and developmentally appropriate.
Gillick competence
Under UK law, some young people under 16 may be considered able to consent to medical care if they demonstrate sufficient understanding and maturity to make an informed decision. This is known as Gillick competence.
In practice, this means we assess whether a young person can:
Understand the nature of the health issue being discussed
Appreciate the benefits, risks and alternatives of any proposed treatment
Understand the consequences of accepting or declining care
Communicate their views clearly
This assessment is individual and contextual — it is not based on age alone.
Fraser guidelines
When discussions involve contraception or hormonal treatments, we also apply the Fraser guidelines, which provide a framework for supporting young people while prioritising safety and wellbeing.
These guidelines emphasise that:
The young person understands the advice being given
Their physical and emotional health may suffer without appropriate support
They are encouraged, wherever possible, to involve a parent or trusted adult
Any decision is made in the young person’s best interests
The aim is not to exclude parents, but to ensure that teenagers can access appropriate medical care when they need it.
How parents are involved at Sirona Health
We recognise that parents play a vital role in supporting teenage girls, particularly when symptoms are affecting school, sport, mood or confidence.
Wherever possible and appropriate:
Consultations involve parents and teenagers together
Decisions are made collaboratively
Information is shared openly and transparently
For older teenagers, there may be parts of the consultation where a young person wishes to speak independently. This is a normal and healthy part of adolescent development, and we handle this sensitively.
Parents are reassured that:
Safeguarding concerns are always acted upon
Confidentiality is not absolute if a young person is at risk
The focus remains on wellbeing, safety and long-term health
Supporting teenage girls early can prevent years of distress, missed school, and loss of confidence.
If you are worried — even slightly — you don’t need to wait.
Led by Dr Georgina Standen, Family Doctor & Women’s Health specialist, remote consultations or in person across Stroud, Cirencester, Tetbury, Bath & surrounding areas
MBChB MRCGP DRCOG DFSRH
FAQs
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In most cases, yes — particularly for younger teenagers. We usually begin consultations with parents and teenagers together. For older adolescents, there may be part of the consultation where the young person prefers to speak independently. This is handled sensitively and discussed openly.
Parents are not excluded, and safeguarding is always prioritised.
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This can be a normal part of adolescent development. We balance a young person’s wish for privacy with parental involvement, maturity, and clinical judgement. Any decisions are made in the young person’s best interests, and parents are reassured that confidentiality is not absolute if there are safety concerns.
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No. Medication is never automatic.
Many consultations focus on education, reassurance, lifestyle factors and understanding what is normal during puberty. Where medication is discussed, this is done carefully, proportionately, and with clear explanation of benefits, risks and alternatives.
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Hormonal changes during adolescence can significantly affect mood, anxiety and emotional regulation. For some girls, these changes are mild. For others, they can be severe and disruptive, particularly around school stress and exams.
Part of our role is helping families understand what is within the range of normal — and when additional support may help.
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Yes. While PMDD is more commonly diagnosed in adults, some adolescents experience severe cyclical mood symptoms that meet criteria for PMDD. This requires careful assessment and should not be dismissed as “just teenage hormones”.
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With consent, we can support families in thinking through reasonable adjustments or strategies that may help at school. We do not contact schools without agreement unless there is a safeguarding concern.
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We follow UK consent and safeguarding guidance, including assessment of maturity and understanding. Parents are involved wherever possible, and decisions are always made in the young person’s best interests.
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Yes. Many families book because something feels “off” rather than because they have a diagnosis. You do not need to know what you’re looking for to book an appointment.
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No. Sirona Health complements NHS care rather than replacing it. We work alongside NHS services and can help clarify options, provide second opinions, or support more complex discussions.
