Society often teaches people to expect mood swings, cramps, and general chaos when girls enter puberty. However, a healthcare professional suggests that this perspective may be causing people to miss important warning signs about a teen girl's overall health and well-being. In an Instagram post, Holly Miller, OB/GYN (obstetrician and gynecologist) listed the things people often overlook when it comes to women’s health. The core message is that people should stop accepting certain struggles as "normal" and instead consider them as potential reasons to investigate deeper. 10 Ways People Often Dismiss Teen Girls’ Health In the post caption, Dr Holly detailed 10 different things that people have normalized teen girls and their health concerns. "She’s just moody." Don't simply blame hormones; constant moodiness could point to serious mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or even PMDD. These conditions require professional support and should not be ignored. "She’s always tired—probably just growing." Extreme tiredness is often a sign of a real physical problem. It might be an iron deficiency, a thyroid imbalance, or a cortisol (stress hormone) issue caused by poor sleep or constant stress. "Crippling period pain? Welcome to womanhood." Pain that stops daily life is not normal. It could be endometriosis, a condition where tissue grows outside the uterus. The doctor reminds us this painful issue can begin when girls are very young. "She’s gaining weight—probably eating too much." Unexpected weight gain can signal deeper health problems. Look for PCOS (a hormone disorder), insulin resistance, or emotional eating as a way to cope with unacknowledged stress. "She cries over everything—classic drama queen." Crying often and intensely isn't always drama. It may be a sign of a trauma response where the teen’s nervous system is easily overwhelmed. Be compassionate and seek help. "She’s super self-conscious—all teens are." Intense focus on flaws is not just typical shyness. It could be body dysmorphia or a disordered eating pattern, which social media pressures can make much worse. "Her acne is bad—part of being a teenager." Severe acne can be a clue that something is off with her hormones. It often signals a hormonal imbalance caused by high male hormones (androgens) or an underlying condition like PCOS. "She misses school during her period—she’ll toughen up." Missing school due to periods is not normal. The true cause could be painful conditions like menstrual migraines, endometriosis, or PMDD, which are all treatable with the correct medical care. "She’s embarrassed to talk about periods—normal!" Shame around periods is often caused by a lack of proper education. It might mean she needs a safe and open space to ask questions and fully understand her own changing body. "It’s just a phase—she’ll grow out of it." Some teen troubles fade, but if you have a strong feeling that something is wrong, trust your gut. Don't wait; it's vital to speak up and advocate for the teen's health now. The doctor concludes that people must recognize that not every struggle is "just hormones." If a daughter, niece, student, or any teen girl is struggling, it is not "overreacting" to ask questions and seek professional help; the doctor states that it is the smart and necessary thing to do.
Email
Google
Facebook Email Google Facebook