Culturally sensitive gynecologic care in adolescence

Culturally sensitive gynecologic care means rendering gynecologic care taking into account adolescents' needs, problems and feelings, as seen by adolescents themselves. Adolescence is a period of turmoil, where limits are being tested and risks taken. A certain degree of rebellion is necessary and normal. In contemporary societies, risk-taking behaviors seem to outnumber any previous historical period. Antagonistic depictions of 'two worlds', transforms the question into one between a culture and a counterculture. Sometimes, the perspectives are exaggerated by attitudes of superiority, leading to inadequate or punitive practices. Health providers need to confront their own prejudices, so as to understand that in their role as health workers, what adolescents ask for is help to cope with their problems in the fields that professionals are qualified for, but not to behave as policemen, judges or priests. Adolescents also need help to overcome resistance to formal environments. In order to achieve success, they have to have the opportunity to be heard and to participate in tailoring programs. These undertakings should be aimed at contributing to health promotion, encouraging self-care and reaffirming confidence in adolescents' responsibility, while generating trust in health services and professionals.