First time going to gynecologist! HELP

I know this is might seem like a stupid question, but I'm only 16 and have an appointment with an ob/gyn tomorrow. My mom has already answered most of my questions--we're close enough that I feel comfortable asking her--but I would like any other input ladies could offer.

I was told by another doctor that I might have a hormone imbalance and to see a gynecologist to check. How do I prepare for this? My mom doesn't think I'll need a pelvic exam--THANK GOD--but I don't know how to prepare physically. She suggested shaving as usual, but how do you all prepare? Should I shave at all? Hair density is part of the reason why my other doctor thought I might have a hormone imbalance! I just don't know!

Also, any comforting words you could offer would be great. This is the same ob/gyn who brought me into the world and first saw me naked, but I'm still nervous about this appointment!

Sorry if this is not appropriate for this forum/category. I'm new!

Ugh, I sooo know how you feel. I first went to a gyn at age 10 - if that wasn't scary

Those doctors have seen everything, so I doubt anything about you will shock them. Try to stay calm and remember that your mom is always there should you need someone to come to the appointment with you. Millions of ladies do this, so you are far from alone. You came to the right place for advice - there are a lot of great women here who can give you support and help if you need it

Hope this helps...it'll be alright, just remember that your doctor isn't being a perv, they're just doing what they do countless times each day, it's nothing new to them.

The first time I had that kind of appointment the DR was great with me. I am someone who needs to know what is going on every step of the way so I can anticipate and feel in control for asking about it or to change it in some way if possible. My Dr. was very good about that. I also had a "mother figure" with me holding my hand at the time. She kept her back to the Dr so it wasn't like she was seeing anything but she was a HUGE help. Just think about what might make you feel most comfortable and have the courage to ask for it.

If your Dr. thinks you might have a hormonal imbalance, they probably won't need to do an internal pelvic exam, although they may want to do a pap smear, if you're sexually active.

They'll order blood tests to check your hormone levels, and ask about your period - how regular it is.

They may order a pelvic ultrasound, to check for cysts in your uterus. There are two kinds, external and internal. The external is less invasive but really uncomfortable - you have to drink something like 8 glasses of water an hour before and you're not allowed to go to the bathroom untill you have the ultrasound - they'll just rub your abdominal area with a small round tool and take pictures of anything that looks unusual. An internal is more invasive but gives better detail and I actually prefer it since you don't have the whole water/bladder thing happening. For an internal they won't do it, if you're a virgin. I thought it was funny - I was in my late 30's when I had my first internal ultrasound and I had to sign a document certifying that I wasn't a virgin LOL. They use a long wand, that is inserted into your vagina, kind of like a tampon, actually they give it to you to do the initial insertion and then they take over and wiggle it around a bit. It doesn't hurt, it just feels very weird. Sorry if this is TMI but I actually started to orgasm one time when I was having an internal ultrasound. I'm not sure who was more embarrassed me or the technician.

Good luck with the appointment.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORTIVE AND INFORMATIVE FEEDBACK. It really made me feel so much better about going, and the appointment went really well! My doctor actually did an internal ultrasound, but I didn't get to initially put it in. :O The only thing that the surprised me was how BIG it was, but seeing the images was pretty cool. Hahaha. I just kept telling myself, like you all said, that ob/gyn's see bodies ALL THE TIME, and I felt tons better.

He prescribed birth control pills to treat my symptoms despite my not being sexually active. We'll see how well they work.

Also, splitimage, your story is so hilarious, but I probably would have died of embarrassment if that ever happened to me!

Good to know the visit went ok I hope the pills work for you - when I went on them they did for me