Adolescent Medicine Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
GAPS recommendation
Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services recommendation for specific preventive care practices in adolescent medicine.
pubertal blocking
Medical intervention using GnRH analogs to temporarily halt pubertal development in specific clinical situations.
pubertal blocking therapy
Medical intervention using GnRH agonists to temporarily suppress pubertal development in adolescents.
pubertal dysphoria
Distress experienced by adolescents when physical development does not align with gender identity.
pubertal gynecomastia
Temporary breast tissue enlargement in adolescent males during normal puberty.
pubertal spurt
The rapid acceleration in linear growth that occurs during puberty, typically lasting 2-3 years.
pubertal staging examination
Clinical assessment of physical sexual maturation using standardized developmental scales during adolescence.
pubertal suppression therapy
Medical treatment using GnRH agonists to temporarily halt pubertal development in adolescents. Often discussed in contex...
REACH
Adolescent health screening tool assessing Relax, Eating, Activities, Cigarettes, and Health behaviors.
reproductive coercion
Controlling behaviors that interfere with an individual's reproductive autonomy and decision-making.
reproductive health counseling
Age-appropriate education and guidance about sexual health, contraception, and reproductive decisions for adolescents.
risk-taking behavior
Actions that potentially threaten adolescent health, safety, or well-being, often related to brain development.
SBIRT
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment - a systematic approach for identifying and addressing substanc...
SBRA
Screening, Brief intervention, Referral to treatment, and Assessment - an expanded substance abuse screening framework.
SCOFF questionnaire
A five-question screening tool used to identify potential eating disorders in adolescents and young adults.
sexual health history
Confidential assessment of an adolescent's sexual behaviors, experiences, and health concerns conducted in a non-judgmen...
sexual maturity rating
An alternative term for Tanner staging used to assess pubertal development in adolescents.
SHBG
Protein that binds and transports sex hormones in the blood.
SMR
Standardized system for documenting pubertal development stages.
SOGIE
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression; framework for inclusive adolescent healthcare assessment.
SORT
Screening, Options, Response, and Talk - a framework for reproductive health counseling with adolescents.
SSHADESS
Comprehensive psychosocial screening framework for adolescents covering eight key life domains.
Tanner staging
A standardized scale used to assess the progression of physical development during puberty in adolescents.
thelarche
The onset of breast development, typically the first sign of puberty in girls.
transition of care
Process of transferring adolescents from pediatric to adult healthcare systems.