What should I expect from my first gynecologist visit?

Question

I'm 18 years old, and I have never been to the gynecologist. My parents never even really talked to me about sex, much less going to the gynecologist. I'm just scared, and wondering what they'll do. Especially since I tense up if anything is about to enter my vagina.

Answer 1

It's totally non-scary, it just seems like it. Gotta go, starting at 18, even if you're not sexually active---not all "girly" problems are sex-related. :)

They will:
1) Weigh you, get your height, probably, too.
2) Take your blood pressure.
3) Ask you about your past medical problems, and if anything runs in your family.
4) Ask you when your last period started (make sure you know the date!)
5) Ask you if you're sexually active.
6) Ask if you're currently taking any medications.
7) Do a breast exam (ie, doc's gonna feel you up! :) )
8) Have you lie down on the reclining table, and put your feet onto little pedals (stirrups), you'll look like a lady giving birth at this point. The doc'll put a spreader called a speculum in you, which isn't bad, just a little cold. Then they'll do a pap test (taking a long swab and getting some cells from inside) and maybe some other tests, depending on what you talk about. It's uncomfortable, but that's it. The doc will then do a manual exam, where she puts fingers inside, then pushes around on your stomach with her other hand. Again, uncomfortable, but not painful. For all of this, she's (or he, I guess, mine's a chick), checking to make sure your reproductive organs are all healthy and in good shape. It's important, so we girls give up comfort to have some peace of mind!

Both before and after the exams, your doc and you will chat about things like birth control and any issues you may be having. Make sure you mention anything weird to her, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Don't be scared, we alllll have to do it, so you're in good company. And when you get older you get to have whining sessions with your girlfriends about having to go. It's a rite of passage!

Answer 2

It will depend on the reason you are going. If you are going for an annual exam and pap smear here's what will happen.

After they weigh you and ask about your general medical history such as your periods and when the first day of the last one was they may ask about how you are feeling right now and what kind of symptoms you are having (if you are feeling bad).

Then you will be taken to a room where they will ask you to put a gown or robe on the top half of your body (this is for the breast exam the doctor will do), and a drape for the bottom half (this is for the pelvic exam and pap smear).

After a few minutes the doctor will come in and adjust the table so that your head is down. They will then ask you to lift one arm to examine the one breast, put that arm down and repeat on the other side.

Then when that is done they may check your abdomen by feeling the area around your intestine and liver are to make sure there is nothing abnormal there. Then you will be asked to put your feet in the stirrups. After that you will scoot down to the edge of the table (you won't fall off) where they will then insert the speculum. The speculum is an instrument that looks like the bill of a duck. It will then be inserted (try to relax because tensing up will make it much more painful and harder for the doctor to do the exam even though it is understandable to be a bit nervous about the first time). They will then look inside with a light and if they notice anything with your discharge take samples of it to be sent to a lab for further analysis.

Afterward they will then take a special brush to take some of the cells from your cervix (this is the pap smear) to be put on a slide and also sent to the lab for analysis. The results will come back in about 1-2 weeks afterward. If you notice any kind of spotting for a couple days afterward this is normal and it is caused by the irritation of the brush used to take the cells. If it continues past that let the doctor know.

After the pap smear is done the doctor will then take out the speculum and insert one hand inside, and the other on the outside part of your abdomen and press down on the organs (this exam is called the bimanual exam). This exam is done to feel for anything that could be out of the ordinary with the shape and size of the organs or feel for things such as masses which can be a cyst.

Because this will be your first time I would recommend going to a female physician because I think you will be more comfortable. You can also make the appt with letting it be known that you want to talk to the doctor in plainclothes first before anything else is done. Let the doctor know that you are nervous about this and they will try to help you relax.

Also, with the exam, if the doctor is really good they will explain everything they are doing as they do it so that you won't feel so nervous.

If you have other questions please feel free to e-mail or IM me off site any time.

Answer 3

If you havent started having sex, you really dont need to put yourself through that yet....but, if so, Its never fun, but as long as you try to relax, and have a doctor you feel comfortable with, youll be fine.....I prefer female doctors myself, easier to talk to and more aware of womens bodys than men....Itll be fine.....

Answer 4

they will do a simple physical. they probably will examine you vaginally, but they have done this thousands of times, and will be gentle. just mention that you are nervous, and they will take extra care.

Peace+