When are you supposed to begin seeing a gynocologist? I haven't been yet...I'm an almost-18 year old lesbian who's had one partner. I've always heard it was when you turned 21 or when you started sexual activity, is that the same for gay and straight women even though it's technically different in some ways? I dunno, I'm not really nervous about the whole thing, I just want to go to a good female doctor. It just makes sense to me, plus I have a good friend who had a very bad experience with a male doctor - NOT, of course, to say that it reflects on all male doctors, it just seems to make more sense.
Just go ahead and go, get it over with. It's not really all that bad. The key is to RELAX when you are in there. A gyno can help you with all kinds of stuff non-sexual. She (I have a female, too) will help you check your breasts and help you know what to look for. She can help any menstrual problems. A Pap smear checks for any abnormal cell growth. And, just because you've never been with a man, doesn't mean you can't get an STD. A trusted dr. is a good person to talk to about things that you don't want to talk to your parents about.
You should probably go ahead and go, just to start your annual visits. My mom and dad are both gynos and they always say to start going when you turn 18 or when you begin sexual activity. I go to a female, just because I'm more comfortable that way, but every one has their preferences. Good luck!
Not sure. I had my first visit when I was 15. I think you should go now. Just for a check up. Only problem I had when I went though was with the cold hands...Oh yeah my doctor was a woman too. I think it would be best if you had a female doctor.
Dr. will insert two fingers into your vagina and press down with the other hand to feel your ovaries to make sure there is nothing abnormal there. They give you a Pap smear. Simple procedure. A speculum is inserted into your vagina (no bigger than a penis...not painful) to hold open your vagina so your cervix is visible. Any abnormal discharge is swabbed, a cell sample off of your cervix is taken (this feels like a little pinch). They remove the speculum. They will prob. give a breast exam. If not, ask for one. If you need any blood work done...STD testing, this will be done, too. And anything else that you have concerns about. The internal exam takes all of 2 minutes. Not bad. I've had so many that it doesn't even bother me anymore! If I've left anything out, please add!
errrg. gyne appointments are never much fun but they are very important. i had my first at 16 as i needed an operation but i was just unlucky, most of the time you get reassured that all is well and dont have to give it a second thought, but my mum had abnormal cells seen when she was young and had to have some treatment on her cervix. stopped her getting cancer though so well worth doing. best advice i can give is go get it over with, most of the time you only need a smear once every 5 years, unless there is a problem( in the UK) but its better to know early. The speculum bit is uncomfortable, but the more tense you are the more uncomfortable it is, it doesnt hurt though, its more like a bit of a shock as it is an odd streching feeling, but its soon over and reallly nothing to worry about. promise.
What they are doing at this point, specifically, is using a small brush, kind of like a pipe cleaner. They slide it in and out of your cervix a few times, to collect some of the cells. It's similar to scraping the inside of your cheek, cells easily shed. They easily do from your cervix, as well. To me, it really doesn't feel like a pinch, it feels more like a menstrual cramp. But, I imagine everyone feels things differently. I just wanted to expand on sugrmag's description, lest someone get the idea that the doctor will be taking a piece of the cervix off. They will do that, during a biopsy, but not during a regular exam.
It really isn't that bad....just relax and think about something else. My doctor is really cool, so we can talk and pretend nothing is happening. I always heard that you're supposed to start making annual visits around the time you start your period....I didn't go until I got pregnant, though...that's when I was 17...so I guess it wasn't too bad....even though I'd kind of "been around" and should have gone a long time ago to get some contraceptive or something.... I'm a whore! Woo hoo!
I say call your local planned parenthood (I believe they have them all over the states, if not they have something like it!). They are very good about making you feel comfortable. Especially if you're able to let them know up front you're a little nervous!! It doens't matter if you're gay, straight, bi, or whatever. The purpose of the check-up is to look for abnormal cells that are cancerous or pre-cancerous. Also std's & pregnancies. I have known many woman who have caught cancer-cells in the pre-cancerous stage & were able to treat it & get rid of it before it affected any aspect of their lives! It's alright to be nervous, just talk to them. And if female makes you more comfortable, so be it. I at this point have had so many that I really don't care anymore. But that's because I know it's their job, not some sexual pick-up place!!
ive been going since i got my period, but the gyno said most girls usually start coming between 15 and 18. Go, its good to have someone to be able to openly ask any female or sex related question to, and its nice to know your healthy!
Thankyou for clarifying my "explanation" for "gyno virgins". I guess it could have come across as pretty horrid to someone who has never had it done before! I just had one last week, and the whole time, my gyno and I talked about are babies. Hers is 4 weeks older than mine, so we always compare them. It really is over before you know it. Oh, make sure she gives you a breast exam, too.
No problem, sug! I knew exactly what you meant, but I know that sometimes people read things differently. I just had mine last week too, how funny! I went to a new doc. Actually she's a CRNP, not an MD. But she is great! She has posters on the ceiling. I love it when they do that... It gives you something to look at and think about while waiting for it to be over with. She is a hippie and so cool!
