[life.is.lost]

I haven't been to a gynecologist before and I'm 18. I've been nervous to go ever since I found out that women had to do that. A question I have is what do they do, and well (embarassing question) do you shave or anything before you go?

[zbmom]

You only need to go to a gyno if you're sexually active or about 21 years old. I won't lie, it's not a picnic. The first time I went I was miserable, embarrassed, and very uncomfortable. It kind of gets better and it kind of doesn't. Not really something people tend to look forward to.

Typically what happens is they will have you put on a paper gown and give you a paper cover to lie over you. They have you get fully naked under these things. It's cold, and awkward sitting or laying on the exam table in them. Usually the Dr. will do a breast exam where he or she will knead your breasts and check your nipples for discharge.

Then the pelvic, they have you scoot forward until your rear is practically hanging off the table and you have to put your feet up in these stirrups so you're quite exposed. The Dr. will tell you before they check you, they usually feel your cervix with their gloved fingers and push around on your abdomen. They also insert this thing called a speculum inside of you so they can see your cervix. That usually feels cold and uncomfortable but shouldn't hurt. If they do a pap smear, they scrape some cells off your cervix, sometimes this hurts a little but not too bad. After that they remove the speculum and you're done.

If it's a guy doctor they will have a female medical assistant in the room, if it's a female doctor, it might just be her.

Edited to add: All I've done before going is to take a bath or shower. Never shaved or anything.

[salukigirl]

I do not agree with waiting until you're 21. I would 18 at the youngest. I have never had a female assistant in the room when my doc is male. The only time was when I got a hysterosonogram and the med student had to be introduced to it so they asked me.

Because you are 18 they will probably do an std test for several of the common ones - sexually active or not - people lie sometimes...

Just be open and honest! I think zbmom is making it out to be very scary and it's really not. Have the doc explain every second of the examination - what they're doing and why they're doing it.

And they actually don't have to do the scrape test for a pap smear anymore. There is a new kind of test that is not painful at all.

In my experience I am in there about 10 mins. Quick cervix and uterus test, quick breast exam, ask my questions and I'm on my merry way. Tell the doc about your concerns. They deal with this on an everyday basis. I'm sure whatever question you ask - they've heard worse!

Same goes with your question about shaving. However you THINK you look down there - they have seen worse lol. Keep in mind people come in with STDs that are NOT pretty to look at. They are there to help not judge! And if you feel uncomfortable - ask for a different doc. Do not allow them to do anything you are uncomfortable with. Good luck!

[(JD)]

I agree that the first time is scary. But it is quickly done. Think about the shows on tv that have doctors doing what they do in them... Grey's Anatomy for one... they are just doing their job, which they love because it's caring for people and helping them stay healthy or get healthy. If you've had any bad experiences that were personal, revealing, sexual etc that is making you feel worse about this than what might be "normal" try and tell the nurse this beforehand... just that you're uncomfortable etc... You'll be okay though.

The paper gown you put on with the open in the front. But you can tie it closed, so there is SOME privacy. If it's a male doctor, ask for a nurse to join you... or ask the nurse beforehand (who gives you the gown) to be in there during the exam . The doctor might ask you questions while doing the exam, and that helps take your mind off the actual procedures... stuff like do you do self exams, etc. Sometimes doctors have funny pictures on the ceiling (comics?) to help ease the process.

They do check both openings, though, so be prepared for that. A good doctor will tell you exactly what he/she is going to do right beforehand.

Afterwards, they'll hand you a wad of tissue to wipe all the white cream they use ... I think they use too much on purpose, just to make it so you don't feel much.

Let's see, they'll press on your abdomen and feel around for any extra swelling or lumps too.

Probably afterwards you'll dress and then you'll go to the doctor's own office room and discuss things... have a list if you have questions because you probably won't remember them on your own!

It really is very short in time... a few minutes at most.

[zbmom]

Hopefully your experience will not be too bad. As a sexual abuse and rape survivor going to the gynecologist was traumatic for me. It may not be as intense for someone without those issues.

As for the female medical assistant being in the room for a male doctor, in lawsuit happy California it's a standard. No one I've ever talked to here has had an exam alone with a male doctor unless they were fully clothed.

[Flooded]

Open up and say aaaaaahhhhhhhh

[unaluna]

And since the days of the women's movement, the tools are usually warmer, not freezing. But give me an old fashioned metal speculum and an old male gyno anyday - my last exam, a petite young woman kept coming at me with tiny plastic maracas that kept biting me - I don't know what she expected to see with that darn thing! the hankster was not happy, and she usually be cracking jokes in that context.

[life.is.lost]

Thanks everyone. This has really cleared up a lot of questions I had. I'm still nervous but now it's not some horrible scary thing.