Women please help how do u overcome the fear of the OB/GYN EXAM?

Question

How can I overcome my fear of gynecology exams?
I know this sounds crazy but I am so afraid of making a phone call to set up an appointment with an ob/gyn that I literally cannot do it.Even saying the word gyenecologist and vagina out loud is hard for me to do without hiding and im a married 27 yr old! I feel childish and ashamed but im really shy about that part of my body its so intimate, I am suffering from some sort of problem down below,it smells bad,itches and burns when I pee.I am afraid to go,im ashamed of my body.I am obese and have hairy legs as well.....IAM SO EMBARRESSED PLEASE HELPPPPPPPPPPP

Answer 1

Sounds like you have a yeast or bacterial and maybe uti.. I am obese as well and HATE going but I do it... Just pick up the phone (call a few places and ask them about their docs... for instance you may be more comfy with a female doc than a male) and get in there so you can have your infection diagnosed and treated ..

Answer 2

I was terrified the first time I went and even the second time. But really it's not that bad at all. Just relax take a deep breath. How about having your husband call and he can tell them you are a bit scared then he can put you on the phone to make the appointment. It's really not bad there is nothing to be afraid of the appointment is easy and fast. It doesnt hurt all. It sounds like you could have some kind of an infection going on down there and they can get very serious it's best for you to go it really is. The appointment is easy and you could even bring a teddy bear or something small to squeeze on when you are scared. Dont ever be ashamed or embarassed about your body the woman's body is a treasure. You are doing yourself a huge favor if you call and make that appointment. Once it's over with and you get medicine for whatever's wrong you will feel A LOT better and also feel better about yourself. I wish I knew exactlly just what to say to make it easier on you, when I went I just kept takign deep breaths it really isnt that bad at all and once you go you wont be afraid to go the next time. And besides its only once a year you have to go.

I hope this helped and good luck.

Answer 3

It sounds a bit like a yeast infection... but dont take my word for it.
What always helps me when making phone calls is i go into a well lit, comfortable place in my house. Close and possibly lock the door completely relax. Also what might help is pretending there is no one else that goes there that looks better than you because there will always be someone that looks worse. And honestly they are just there to help. They cant make you feel better unless you take the steps to get help. As for the hairy legs, if youre really that self conscious about it, shave them. Simple solution. Also remember that you are not alone. There are people that struggle with calling, obesity and going to the OB/GYN everyday. And if it makes you feel any better, I dont want to do it either. Im afraid to as well. I dont have the desperate need to go either and Im not sexually active, but I will someday. So dont worry, youre not the only one. The best way to face a problem is head on, its not going to cure itself. Do the best thing for you!

Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

ok.. you have built this up in your mind until it is terrifying!

It's not that bad.

I was raised by an RN, grandma was an LVN, I started at 16 (cervical cancer runs in the family) I scheduled the appointments the same month as my b-day.. my present to myself.. a clean bill of health.. and it was over with.... lol

take a book.. you only have to pay attention for a few minutes.. take a deep breath let in out slowly and relax.

Make sure you tell the doc that you've never had a pelvic before.. that way they will go a little slower, you can even ask the doc to explain to you what they are doing as they go. It sounds like you may have a UTI , or a really bad yeast infection, both of which are treatable, but you are going to be miserable until you go, and you need to go. They will use a couple of the long q-tips to take lab samples. they will gently probe your belly to make sure your ovaries are the right size and location.

So.. shave your legs before you go.. I'm always concerned about stubble... lol, wear a pair of socks, just in case the stirrups aren't covered.. they are metal and can be chilly.. Take a book or magazine to calm your nerves and relax. the whole thing takes maybe .... 7 - 8 mins from start to finish.

Answer 5

I wish I could hold your hand and go with you but I am afraid I can't LOL. (I am a woman do not worry). Doctors have seen everything, believe me. If you are obese - many women are, if you have hairy legs, its ok too, many women have hairy legs. You have a problem and you must do something about it. You might have either a Urinary Tract Infection (bladder infection) or some vaginal problem i.e. STD or some yeast infection, who knows. But it HAS to be treated. Try going to a female doctor first of all that is less intimidating than a male doctor. You do not have to say any word out loud. Phone to the doctor talk to the receptionist and make an appt. no words are necessary believe me. Once you are at the doctor's office tell her about your fears, discomfort etc. I am sure she will do her best. Good luck and PLEASE GO to a doctor before its too late.

Answer 6

Have you ever said it all! When I was younger, I dreaded going to get my yearly exam. I didn't want someone I didn't know down there, looking at my privates. Mom always told me it was mine and I should remember that, so why was it supposed to be okay for a stranger (doctor or not) to not only look at, but touch me there?

I really had to swallow my fear and apprehension and just go for it. I am lucky enough to have a group of gynecologists in my town, so each time I went there I would see a different doctor until I found the one that I was most comfortable with.

I tried a female, but that was even more awkward. If I felt bad with a strange man down there, it was magnified at least tenfold with a woman down there. Just really not natural.

With my last child I had to have weekly exams for the entire second half of my pregnancy (the baby was large and I do not have the wide "birthing hips" that some women are blessed with). I had my son in the middle of the summer.

I am a nurse and would go to the doctor straight from work. It's hot in summertime, and since I weighed in at 230 pounds, I would get rather sweaty and have that "not so fresh feeling" at the end of the day. I apologized to the doctor one day for not having showered before I came in to see him and his reply was "don't worry about it. I have seen things you can't even imagine."

Moral of the story: what may be horrible and embarrassing to you is most likely something these doctors deal with very frequently and most likely is something simple to take care of.

My friend, swallow the bullet and make that call. Your health and possibly your future of bearing children depends on it.

Answer 7

Ok. Well, although I am 14 and of course am not married, I have a fear of having to have that area checked out to (pap smears) because I would feel almost like I am being raped or something. I am very sensitve down there. And I think that even when I am older I will still be the same way. Exspecialy since it would most likely be a guy doctor. I am very squemish when it comes to that kind of stuff. Even him talking ot me about periods and such. I would suggest calling the doctors office first and ask to talk to a nurse and ask her what you could do, because my mom usually does that if i am sick.

Answer 8

My friend, i have been there. Lol. I probably had more fear than you about going to the ob/gyn. I would have panic attacks so bad that the nurse was afraid i was going to pass out. I would hyper ventilate, sweat buckets, and my heart was pound so fast and hard. So let me tell you, if i can do it, so can you. I just told myself that my health was more important than my fear. Please, never risk your health out of fear. These doctors have seen ten times worse than you describe. Most of them are really nice, and will try to make you as comfortable as possible. I know its so hard, and i sympathize with you. I am now the mother of four, and have had my share of the ob/gyn visits. And about the hairy legs. Can't you shave them before you go. Sorry, just not seeing the problem with the hairy legs. Lol.

Answer 9

It's totallly not as bad as you are imagining. The doctor has probably seen every type of body there is and could care less. Perhaps you could have someone else make the call for you, so you can at least set up the appointment. Good Luck!

Answer 10

I am 33 and I still hate having that part of my body looked at.if you are that uncomfortable have a friend,family member or your husband go with you.Theres nothing to be embarressed about at some point every woman has a problem down there.Its just a question on if they are going to admit it or not.