What happens on your first visit to the Gynaecologist???

Question

I'm 21 and still haven't been... I'm a little nervous!!!

Oh, and is it better to go to a woman or a man?? Thanks!!

Answer 1

Nothing to be scared about, rather than worrying about what's going to happen or feeling exposed, try to think of it as you doing something positive for your health and use it as an opportunity to ask questions.

I believe it is a little different in the US to the UK, here in the UK the first visit is normally either because of a sexual health concern or for a smear test, where as in the US I believe they do pelvic exams as well as smear tests and possibly swabs.

It can be a little uncomfortable but the most important point to take note of is that it should not hurt – if it hurts then tell the person doing the exam and they will stop, if need be you can go back another day, if they do cause you pain and do not stop then make them stop, get out of the room and report them to the front desk. You need to make sure they know if you are experiencing pain or discomfort.

You will be asked to undress; they will give you some privacy here and probably give you something to cover up your bottom half, you'll go onto an exam table and either have your feet put into stirrups or just ask you to bend your legs up and let your legs fall to the side. The pelvic exam will probably come first, then the smear test – the doctor should of course wear gloves for this, they should explain everything to you as you go along but if you have any questions let them know.

For a pelvic exam the doctor will insert two fingers into your vagina, then put their other hand on your abdomen and gently push, the doctor will feel around for lumps and bumps, they will ask you if you feel any pain or discomfort.

For the smear test you'll have a speculum put into your vagina to hold the walls of the vagina open, this normally feels like pressure around your abdomen, they will then insert something like a spatula into your vagina to take samples from your cervix – this can be a little uncomfortable, a feeling similar to very mild menstrual cramps. The speculum will be removed and that's you done.

There is a web site specifically for this question - http://www.firstvisit.org

Whether you go to a man or woman is personal preference, a lot of women prefer going to a female doctor as they think a female doctor will know better about their bodies, however whether they are male or female they will not know specifically about your body, so to me it makes no difference.

I personally actually prefer to go to a man because I find women are very 'know-it-all' thinking because something works for them as a woman that it should be the same for you too – last time I saw a female doctor she made a big deal of the fact I did not suffer menstrual cramps, when she inserted my IUD she made me lay down for 10 minutes on the exam table with my *** hanging out because she did not believe that it didn't hurt me. I do also agree with an above answer, men do tend to be more gentle because they don't know themselves what may be painful for a woman, they also tend to be better at explaining things as they don't instantly think that you should know something that they know.

Answer 2

Typically you get a pelvic exam and they check for breast lumps. It's very straightforeward. Just try your best to relax. Even if you aren't sexually active, you're long overdue. The doctor should give you an overview before things actually get started. If you're not sure about a doctor, ask to do interviews before you make an appointment. Any doctor worth seeing will be happy to have a little Q&A session with you before choosing.

As far as choosing male or female, I have a male gyno and he's much more gentle than any woman I've been to. (He told me that it's because he doesn't know what is going to hurt a woman because he obviously isn't one.) He's also more open to trying different types of treatment for painful periods and such. However, it's up to you. With a male gyno, there's always a nurse in the room when you have your exams, so you don't have to feel uncomfortable. Once again, I recommend the interview process so you can find a doctor that fits for you, regardless of the doctor's gender.

Answer 3

its not fun
you'll prolyl get a pap smear which is scary i lucked out of one. they check ur boobs for lumps, since u've never been and its been a few years since u were 19 (when they start ur first anual pap smear or 3 years after u become sexually active) you'll prolly get one... ask for a woman cos they know to be more gental than a guy would. look stuff up online. i thought i had to have one even tho i'm only 16 so the night before i went in i looked it all up to be sure. web md or google pap smear/// and you probably have a lot of reason to be nervous i was.

Answer 4

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSPRG000/23414/24383/283498.html?d=dmtContent

There is a great deal of information contained in the link above. Just remember to breathe slowly and try to relax.

Answer 5

u need to go, u culd be at risk to tons of disease and infestion. all he does is take a look inside there. feel around and thts it.

Answer 6

You strip naked, lie face up on a table, spread your legs, and then a doctor looks inside your pvssy, sticks tools inside, and scrapes around, to make sure you don't have cancer. It sucks. I had my first pap when I was 13. Get a woman doctor because that is less creepy.

Answer 7

I don't know...I fainted.