Female Advice Preferred: The dreaded Gynecologist...

[unforgettable00]

Kay so, I really dont like people any people of any sorts going down there. I will walk out of the room or refuse a guy til death if he wants to go down on me. Im that self conscious.
And it doesnt help with my moms constant teasing which she thinks is 'helping'. urgh... honestly, mothers should be built with a mute button.. but thats doesnt relate to this issue-
What should I expect? My doctor will no doubt be a female and if she is a he, good luck buddy. Not happening. and no amount of threats or beatings from my mother will make me spread my legs for a male doctor. So by default it shall be done by a female or bust.

Im really nervous and insecure to the point of crying (im ashamed of that but its true) and begging to not go because really, i dont think im mentally ready to go through that.

Any tips on what to do before hand, what they usually do during, etc? MUCH APPRECIATED.

[Bella xx]

Have you explained to your mother how worked up this is getting you? If you have and she is still insisting that you go then crying and begging won't help your case. Next time your decide to see if she's changed her mind just be very mature and explain why you want to avoid this visit for a little while longer, try to avoid crying in front of her if she doesn't change her mind.
If all else fails and you do end up going just relax. When you are there if ANYTHING is worrying you, talk to the doctor, s/he will listen to what you have to say and explain everything in a lot of detail so you know exactly what is going to happen.
Just remember, going to see the gynecologist is just a part of life and you will have to go sooner or later, and there is nothing to worry about. Just try to relax.
pm/vm me if you have any questions.

[Aletheia*]

Are you currently sexually active? If so, it's a good idea to go to the gynecologist to make sure everything is okay. If you aren't, then there is really no need to see a gynecologist until the age of 21. However, like I said, if you're sexually active, it's a good idea to go see a gynecologist to make sure everything is okay. I was your age when I went for the first time, and didn't have my first male gynecologist until last year. In my experience, a male gynecologist is 100 times better than a female. They don't make it awkward. They get in and get out, while females tend to take their time, and make things much more awkward for you.

Anyway, despite that, you should expect to get some sort of blood testing done. This is to ensure that you don't have any STI's or STD's. You won't get the results back right away. It takes a few weeks to come back, but if they notice anything strange in the blood work, then they'll call you and have you come back in or give you the results over the phone. Also, they'll have you urinate in a cup, and I think this is to make sure you aren't pregnant or have any STI's or STD's as well. Then, they'll perform the pap smear exam, if they feel that you need one. They might not suggest it, but then again, they might. AGAIN, it's a good idea to get one done. They aren't that bad. I'm not sure if I can really go into detail, but they'll just exam you, and take swabs from "down there" to make sure everything is in working order. They do this to check for infections as well. I was informed that I had a bacterial infection from having a smear done, and if I didn't, it could have been dangerous to my health.

In reality, they aren't as bad as you're thinking. You're going to have to get them done eventually anyway, and you only have to go once a year. If they are making you SO nervous to the point where you feel overwhelmed, talk to your mom. Contrary to many beliefs, your mom will be helpful in a situation like this. She has been in your shoes, and I'm sure she was just as nervous as you the first time too. She can either be in the room when the exam is done, or you can have sit in the lobby. It's entirely up to you.

[Revolution]

Here's a good video brought to you by the fabulous TeenHelp.org about gynecologist exams. But I'll do the best to answer myself as well.

What should you expect: If you are under 18, not sexually active and not on the pill, not much. They might do an external exam, so just look around to see if you are inflamed, but they probably won't do much if you are not sexually active. They didn't for me anyway.

If you are one of those, they will probably want to do a more indepth exam, or a pap. I became sexually active at 17 and I told my gynecologist, and they still only did an exam. He said it was unnecessary. If you do need a pap though, they're not that bad. It's very quick. The doctors know what they're doing.

Just as a note, my gynecologist is a male, and he's the best. They're doctors, they're there professionally. Male gynecologists didn't get the job because they were perverts, they care about women, and want to make sure that they are healthy. So I would be open minded about your gender of doctor. However, usually, they're fine with requests of gender.

Good luck!

[unforgettable00]

Originally Posted by Zelophobia

Are you currently sexually active? If so, it's a good idea to go to the gynecologist to make sure everything is okay. If you aren't, then there is really no need to see a gynecologist until the age of 21. However, like I said, if you're sexually active, it's a good idea to go see a gynecologist to make sure everything is okay. I was your age when I went for the first time, and didn't have my first male gynecologist until last year. In my experience, a male gynecologist is 100 times better than a female. They don't make it awkward. They get in and get out, while females tend to take their time, and make things much more awkward for you.

Anyway, despite that, you should expect to get some sort of blood testing done. This is to ensure that you don't have any STI's or STD's. You won't get the results back right away. It takes a few weeks to come back, but if they notice anything strange in the blood work, then they'll call you and have you come back in or give you the results over the phone. Also, they'll have you urinate in a cup, and I think this is to make sure you aren't pregnant or have any STI's or STD's as well. Then, they'll perform the pap smear exam, if they feel that you need one. They might not suggest it, but then again, they might. AGAIN, it's a good idea to get one done. They aren't that bad. I'm not sure if I can really go into detail, but they'll just exam you, and take swabs from "down there" to make sure everything is in working order. They do this to check for infections as well. I was informed that I had a bacterial infection from having a smear done, and if I didn't, it could have been dangerous to my health.

In reality, they aren't as bad as you're thinking. You're going to have to get them done eventually anyway, and you only have to go once a year. If they are making you SO nervous to the point where you feel overwhelmed, talk to your mom. Contrary to many beliefs, your mom will be helpful in a situation like this. She has been in your shoes, and I'm sure she was just as nervous as you the first time too. She can either be in the room when the exam is done, or you can have sit in the lobby. It's entirely up to you.

Yes, im sexually active. Thanks for the advice C: First time is always the hardest..
Also, blood work? I faint when I get my birthcontrol shot.
FML. </3

[unforgettable00]

Originally Posted by Coffee❤

Here's a good video brought to you by the fabulous TeenHelp.org about gynecologist exams. But I'll do the best to answer myself as well.

What should you expect: If you are under 18, not sexually active and not on the pill, not much. They might do an external exam, so just look around to see if you are inflamed, but they probably won't do much if you are not sexually active. They didn't for me anyway.

If you are one of those, they will probably want to do a more indepth exam, or a pap. I became sexually active at 17 and I told my gynecologist, and they still only did an exam. He said it was unnecessary. If you do need a pap though, they're not that bad. It's very quick. The doctors know what they're doing.

Just as a note, my gynecologist is a male, and he's the best. They're doctors, they're there professionally. Male gynecologists didn't get the job because they were perverts, they care about women, and want to make sure that they are healthy. So I would be open minded about your gender of doctor. However, usually, they're fine with requests of gender.

Good luck!

Im very skittish around males so it would take probably more time to relax and calm down.
Females though, im alright around. Female doctors are cool too.
Maybe since its my first exam theyll just take a peek *crosses fingers* and not an indepth peek.
And that video helped. thank you

[thebigmole]

Sorry to disappoint you but since you are sexually active they are going to do the full exam. They have to, it's for your safety. I'm not going to lie not having to have the full exam is the only reason I'm slightly happy about still being a virgin. I have had the full exam twice before though. The trick is to relax. To let the doctor know if anything is painful, not uncomfortable because it will be uncomfortable, but pain is a different thing. Also I know exactly how you feel about having a male doctor, it's perfectly acceptable to request a woman. Just make sure you are completely honest with your doctor and don't be afraid to ask anything.

[Aletheia*]

The blood work is very quick. Don't feel scared about it. The doctor doing the blood work, commonly known as the phlebotomist, will be in and out just like the gynecologist will. I also forget to mention they'll probably do a breast exam as well, to check for lumps. They'll teach you how to do the self breast exam as well, so you can check yourself at home for lumps too. While breast cancer is rare in teens, there is always a possibility. They also do pap exam's to check for cancer as well. So, everything they're doing is for your own health and safety. I believe you can refuse the blood work. I know my doctor's office gives me the option, though I've never turned it down. If the blood test isn't needed, don't get one. But, they will probably have you take one just to be safe.

[veggirl21]

If it makes it any easier to know you don't have to get jabbed, go in knowing that you'll refuse the blood work that day, instead coming back for just that another day if it's needed. Doing this has gotten me through many doctors appointments because the jab is always the worst for me. I can deal with embarrassment, I can't do needles.

Also, if you and your mom aren't close, I'd suggest having her wait in the lobby. It is so much easier to talk to the doctor when parents aren't there...

I have to agree that sometimes mothers need a mute button...