The main reason I am anxious about going to the gynecologist is the fact that it has been about 4 yrs (I'm 24) since my last visit and I have had 2 more partners since then who had been with other women before me.
Also, about a year ago I noticed some small skin colored bumps down there that did not hurt AT ALL and never turned red or blistered. I did some research online and I came up with HPV (genital warts). Since then, all of the bumps have disappeared.
I am getting married to the greatest guy this coming summer and I want us to be healthy going into our marriage. I know there are a million reasons why I should be running to the gyn. first thing tomorrow, but I am SO nervous about finding out that I have an STD or even worse... cancer. I know I probably don't, but I guess what I need is some encouragement. I don't need anyone to put me down for not going already. I KNOW it's time... I just need other people who know how I feel to give me some encouragement.
Thanks.
2007-02-13 16:36:54 · 7 answers · asked by wk24marble 1 in Health ➔ Women's Health
My fiance knows about ALL of this... well, except the part about me asking complete strangers for their opinions... :)
2007-02-14 05:55:59 · update #1
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN SO POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING. I AM PLANNING ON MAKING AN APPOINTMENT VERY SOON!!
2007-02-14 05:58:28 · update #2
It is so important that you go every year. I know it can be very scary. Now a days if you do have something and it is caught early enough, the doctor can take care of it. Sometimes if you wait too long it is harder to treat and can cause other problems.
After you get it done you'll feel so much better!
2007-02-13 16:57:54 · answer #1 · answered by Shine 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What happens if you don't go and you wait to late like my friend did? She was just recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she's just 30. HPV which can cause uterine cancer is a slow growing cancer. It would not be in the last stage. My mother was diagnosed with changes in her cervix when I was 11 and it was in the second stage. They caught it early. They did outpatient surgery. She was home the same day.My aunt did not go for paps either and they found cervical cancer. She had to endure radiation and a hysterectomy. My friend is currently going through chemo and will have to have surgery. It has already spreaded to her liver and pelvic bone. So,please go and have the pap. It's better to find out and have a chance to live than to wonder and die. More than likely the worry is for nothing. There are many strands of HPV but only a few strands could lead to cancer. If you do find anything out be honest with your fiancee.
2007-02-13 17:08:38 · answer #2 · answered by Denise79 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, nobody LIKES going to the GYN but its one of the things we have to do. I have terrible anxiety about it and I'm a ob/gyn nurse! When you go to the dr for the first time just tell him/her that you are nervous (or tell the nurse) and they will help you through it. Once you find a gyn that you like and go to on a reg basis it wont be so bad. Mention the bumps to the dr....its prob nothing but something as simple as a virus can cause cervical cancer so better safe than sorry. While you are at the Dr ask about the HPV shot to prevent cervical cancer.
Relax, you are going to be fine. I always wear funny socks when I go :)
2007-02-13 16:59:19 · answer #3 · answered by aerdna2u 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one at your GYN's is going to put you down or judge you! I think checking everything out before you get married is a very responsible thing to do and I think it will give you peace of mind. Believe me, I have friends that haven't been to an Ob/Gyn for years because they feel they are to fat!
My experience is when I've gone to my Ob/Gyn over the years, the doctor has done a pap smear, a pelvic exam, checks for anemia and checks my Brest's. After my divorce, I had to ask for a STD blood test, just to make sure before I began dating again. You may need to ask for a STD test, just explain your getting married. Something that may be completely correctable could be missed if you don't ask and it could affect a pregnancy or baby in the future. Please don't worry, Ob/Gyn doctors have heard it all!!
2007-02-13 16:50:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm 20 and i haven't been to a GYN or doctor for more than 3 yrs i say about 4 just like you. I feel nervous of going since i am starting to think about getting married and having a child to a guy i have known my whole life. I also have UTI and now i am thinking it might be worse or so. I think you should go to get check and everything, I am also to make sure everything is okay with me and everything. Good Luck and go for it. You shouldn't have anything to worry about.
2007-02-13 16:47:01 · answer #5 · answered by BeBop 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Another thing, those "bumps" could have been syphilis because the syphilis chancre is usually painless, itchless, etc. Get to your doctor and have a full STD screening. You're far worse off NOT knowing.
HPV, which causes most cervical cancers, is the most common STD. The only good thing that can be said about cervical cancer is that it's a slow-progressing cancer.
Think about it this way, if you don't find out, you could die. If you find out that you have something, you can be treated and most likely cured. If you go and find out you have nothing wrong with you, then you'll feel a sense of relief knowing that nothing is wrong. When one of my friends found out she had a brain tumor, she told me that wondering what was wrong was far worse than finding out. The tumor was operable, thankfully, and she's in remission. Go to your doctor, hon; it's possible that your life is on the line. Good luck.
2007-02-13 16:58:55 · answer #6 · answered by mkbrocato 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Honey, do it for yourself, and out of respect for your wonderful fiance! Go and tell the doctor you're kind of nervous, tell her about the bumps and also ask for a full STD panel to test for any kind of diseases as well as your normal pelvic exam. Give the clean results to your hubby to be as a gift to show him that you trust him and want him to know you're starting your marriage with a fresh slate.
The bumps may just have been ingrown hair (happens especially if you shaved or trim hair), but you deserve to breathe easy and know you're clean. On the remote chance that you're not, you can talk to your doctor comfortably about treatment options if you need to, but don't EVER be afraid to be honest with yourself.
Find yourself a great female gyno/OB who you can stick with through newlywed-hood, babies, and even later on into menopause. It's the greatest relationship you can have!
2007-02-13 16:46:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋