My son is 16yrs old and I still am with him every minute in the dr's office. (No I don't think I'm over-protective--he goes to the dentist by himself for years now, but going to the Endo is a different story...this is his life, not just his teeth!) A few years ago I let him know that I would leave the room if he wanted during the exam, but he just looked at me as if I were weird & said something like, "Naw, you don't have to do that." So we just share a look that says, "ugh, time for this part" and  I turn my head to give him privacy now that he's older. When he was little I would get up near his head and let him know in looks & words that I understood that he didn't like this part. Then we would talk afterwards about how that is another way that the dr makes sure his meds are right just like the blood work, X-rays, blood pressure, height & weight... and that it is important for the dr to have ALL these things checked not just one or two.

I can only imagine how much worse this feels for girls, but yes, ALL children need extra comfort, support and understanding from their parents during 'this part' of the exam.