How Thorough Are Physical Exams for Teenagers?

Teenagers may dread the yearly visit to the doctor for a physical, but while getting an exam may not be an ideal way to spend an afternoon, it builds a medical history that can help doctors identify possible health problems. Some types of physical exams may be more thorough than others.

  1. Sports Physicals

    • Unlike a typical physical examination, a sports physical tends to be less thorough. Doctors may ask about your teenager's medical history, as well as that of the family, according to KidsHealth. Vision, heart, lungs, blood pressure, pulse, height and weight may be checked. Your teen's doctor may also ask about any problems she experiences while playing sports, or if her menstrual cycles are regular. A follow-up exam may be scheduled if a doctor feels your teen is not ready to get involved in a particular sport. Your teen may need additional sports physicals each year if she gets injured and returns to playing a sport after healing.

    Physical Exam

    • In addition to checking organs like the heart and lungs, a physical exam may also include checks of the muscles, skin, joints, breasts and pelvic area, according to WebMD. Vital signs, like temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate may also be noted. The exam itself usually lasts a few minutes, according to the Center for Young Women's Health.

    Concluding the Exam

    • Toward the end of the visit, you may be asked to leave while a doctor discusses sexual health and drug use with your teen. Teens can also take the opportunity to ask any questions. Questions focusing on proper nutrition, a healthy weight range for your teenager, or where your teen can go to learn more about safe sex and birth control may be ideal.

    Additional Information

    • Some doctors may be more thorough in a physical examination than others, so calling ahead to ask what you can expect may relieve anxiety. While a yearly physical exam is usually recommended, you can talk to your teen's doctor about whether exams are necessary on a more or less frequent basis, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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