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Caring for your health is an important part of growing up. If you notice changes that you are not sure are normal, ask one of your parents or a trusted adult to help you make an appointment with a doctor or other health care provider. Health care providers you can see include:
- A pediatrician. This is a doctor who cares for children and teens. Some pediatricians have special training in reproductive health issues like problems with periods, but not all do.
- A family practitioner or general practitioner. This is a doctor who does not focus on a specific medical specialty, but instead covers various medical areas in patients of all ages.
- A gynecologist. A gynecologist is a doctor who focuses on women's reproductive health.
- An adolescent specialist. This type of doctor specializes in caring for teenagers. Many adolescent medicine doctors can take care of your reproductive health in addition to your general health.
- A nurse practitioner (NP). A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with special training. If your clinic or doctor's office has an NP, he or she can do many of the things a doctor can and will work with the doctor if you need special tests or medicines.
- A certified nurse midwife. This is a nurse who is trained to care for the general and gynecological health of women and their babies.
Content last updated October 13, 2010