First appointment (TMI?)

Hi,
I've lately been wondering when I should make my first gyn appointment. My mom says it starts at age 18, but some places say that it's when you become sexually active. I've been to the gyn twice before, once at almost 11 and once at almost 13, for too frequent periods and to get birth control for my acne. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks ladies

There's no set rule on when to start regular appointments. Usually I've heard age 18 OR when sexual activity starts, whichever comes first. Sometimes it's earlier than 18 for other reasons, for example "female problems" in the family.

Whenever it is, I would suggest taking an older woman you really trust with you. For my first one it was just me, the doctor, and a nurse who was required to be there for liability reasons. I really respected both the doctor and the nurse so it was all right, but it could have been better if someone I trusted would have been in the waiting room when I was done.

Both times I went before I've had exams, so it's not really a big deal to me. What I'm thinking, though, is should I go earlier because there is a history of breast cancer in my family? I know I have to start mamograms in my mid to late 20s instead of at 40 like most people. Thanks for the info robin

ETA: Too bad, I just saw that my old gynecologist switched practices. I really liked her Of course, when I'm 18 I can go wherever I want to.

I've heard 18 is when you should start, but I also agree you should go sooner if you're sexually active at a younger age. Not only that, but even if you're not sexually active, it's still good to make sure everything's working right. You can be a virgin and get a yeast infection, for instance. But you'll have symptoms, so don't worry you've got a yeast infection if you don't itch or burn (or smell)!

I went once at 18, and not again - I'm 24 now.
Need to set up an app, but I'm a bit anxious...

Sorry if it was a bad experience for you, Sugahorse. I have vaginal pain and exams are painful for me, but I finally found a doctor who's referred me to a specialist, so I'm very glad I didn't give up. But my point is, I've had appointments that weren't comfortable, and other ones that were okay, so try not to fear going again. Your health is important, and you can try a different doctor next time, if you think that would help.

Mine wasn't a bad experience, just haven't relly felt the need, or taken the responsibility to go back

Like everyone else said, when you're 18 or become sexually active. When I was 16, I had thought I had either gotten pregnant, or my appendix was about to burst, so I had to go to an GYN, and they found a cyst on my ovary. Which was then taken out a few weeks later. In 2005, I had a LEEP procedure done, because I had one of the cancerous strains of HPV. Up until 2009, I went pretty regularly, mainly to get my BC rx. But I haven't been since then.....I should probably do that soon.

I would just go with when your mom says, unless you have other problems/are sexually active. I didn't go until I got on the pill and then pretty regularly to make sure nothing happening with that, etc.

I started going when I turned 19, because I put it off when I turned 18,

I'm not sexually active (never have been) but I get it done when I do my yearly physical as well (I live in a small town, and a gyn comes to town twice a month on certain days, I just go have the exam and get my physical done at the same time) I think it is important to do wether sexually active or not, cysts, and other problems can arise regardless, and I think it is just importnat to keep an eye on things health wise.

My mom refused to take me to the OBGYN because she thought it was condoning me having pre-marital sex. I ended up going myself when I was 16 just to be safe. But in my case I have 4 aunts and both grandmas with breast cancer and both my sister and I have PCOS so I kind of had to.

I would agree with going once you become sexually active. The main point is to check to see if you have any STDs or cervical cancer. You know your own body better than your mom or a doc do. Go whenever you feel ready.