Gyno

[emmychan.livejournal.com]

Ok, I've always had a very irregular period ever since I started when I was 15 (I'm 17 now). It would come, be very light, and then it would come back every three months. Then it stopped for about a year. It started lightly for a few days when I was at opera camp and living in close quarters with a girl who was heavily on it, but stopped as soon as I got home.

Now, recently I've been sick, so I went to the doctor. Just a sinus infection. So I walk into the room and tell the nurse about all of my symptoms, and then all of a sudden she askes about my period. I tell her (though I'm completely shocked since I have never been asked about it and I find it quite inappropriate seeing how I went in there for my nose) and then the doctor comes in. He starts asking me all about my menstrual cycle, and I just start bawling because I'm not comfortable talking about those things with a man I've never even met... Made everyone there feel bad for me.. And then they set me up an appointment with a OB GYN.

Now, that was a very traumatic experience, and I don't think I will be going back to that clinic, but I do know that I need to go see a doctor about my period. But I'm really nervous. I'm a virgin, so I'm not really enthralled about people seeing such a personal part of me, much less someone I have never met before! I have an appointment with a female doctor, but I have no idea what to expect! Could anyone please tell me what happens, and will it hurt me since I'm a virgin?

Thanks Em

Comments

[stopbotheringme.livejournal.com]

I still haven't gotten mine : /
I dunno what's wrong with me.
I'm 15 and I look like a normal female

[puckish.livejournal.com]

You mean you still haven't gotten your period? That doesn't mean anything's wrong with you :) I had a friend who didn't get hers until she was sixteen, and she was (and is) perfectly healthy. If you still don't have it by the time you're about seventeen, though, you might want to talk to your doctor. In the meantime, count your blessings :)

[melena.livejournal.com]

I didn't get my period till I was 15 myself.

Don't worry!

[jurisenpai.livejournal.com]

Hey-
I just got my first pelvic exam and Pap smear last month, and I'm a virgin too. I was kinda scared, but it really isn't that bad.

This site (http://teenadvice.about.com/cs/girlstuff/ht/pelvicexamht.htm) has a good overview of the procedure.

They have different sizes of speculums, and we found out that the normal sized one was too big for me. They ended up using a smaller one, and it didn't hurt at all. Just kind weird. Just tell the doctor that it's your first exam and that you aren't sexually active, and she'll explain what she's doing and she should let you guide the pace of the internal exam. My doctor let me tell her when I was ready for her to procede with the exam, and I felt a lot better.

So, in conclusion, it's not bad, and you'll do fine :)

[puckish.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming you went to a GP and not a specialist, so their asking you about your menstrual cycle isn't that unusual. My doctor does it, too. They just want to check on your whole body's health.

I'm sorry you found it so difficult to discuss that sort of thing with a stranger :( But I'm also sort of surprised that it didn't come up earlier -- losing your period for an entire year is something I'd see a doctor about right away. Do you have trouble talking about your menstrual cycle with other people, like your family and friends?

As for the gyno visit: I was a virgin at my first checkup, too. It didn't hurt, but it was a little bit uncomfortable and a lot awkward, so prepare yourself for that. (If it does hurt, say something to the doctor.) It's a strange experience, but a necessary one. A few pieces of advice:

1. Talk to the doctor. Let her know that you're nervous. She should explain beforehand what she's going to do, but if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. If you want a "play-by-play" narrative of what she's doing as she's doing it, ask.

2. Bring someone with you -- your mom, or another close relative or friend. You may or may not want someone in the room with you during the exam, but it never hurts to have someone there just in case.

3. If you have any questions or concerns (other than the obvious one), write them down beforehand. If you're anything like me, you'll get to the appointment and totally forget all the questions you wanted to ask. Writing them down will help jog your memory.

4. Relax.

Also, because I didn't see this on the About.com page someone already linked -- in addition to the pelvic exam, your doctor may want to do a breast exam.

[geminigirl]

Ever since I've stopped going to the pediatrician, I've been asked questions about my period when I go to the doctor...usually something like "What was the first day of your last menstrual period?" and "was it normal, or was there anything unusual about it?" They're often trying to determine if there's any possibility you could be pregnant, which would affect how they could treat for an infection for example. Sudden changes to the menstrual cycle can sometimes indicate problems too. They were pretty much normal general health type questions...you get asked these things as you get older.

It's nothing to be shocked or embarassed about. I go to the doctor for asthma stuff and they ask about my period.

(People have already told you what's going to happen. Not sure if you've gotten all your questions answered, but if you haven't, I'd be happy to try.)

[dokuya.livejournal.com]

http://www.vaginapagina.com/showarticle.php?record=0000000012

[fairis.livejournal.com]

Every doctor I've been to since I was thirteen or so has asked me about my period. It's not an unusual question - I think it's a good indicator of other health related things like stress and good diet. They ask when the date of my last period was, and usually if it's pretty regular/am I having any unusual pain/etc. Sometimes they ask when the date of your last period was to make sure you're not pregnant, in case the have to give you a medication that would damage a fetus or an x-ray or something.

[alitaorg.livejournal.com]

the doctors are just asking those questions because it's their job to be concerned about yourself. they're not trying to humiliate you or make you uncomfortable.

a rarely-occuring, weak period can be completely normal and healthy. it can also be a sign that something's wrong. female reproductive systems are so amazingly complex (yet simple...what a work of art! =) ) that they're trained to ask for information and study your cycle for warning signs.

am i the only one who thinks that one should go to the gyno when they begin their period? i got my period when i was sixteen and went to see the gyno immediately to start a health record and to make sure everything was fine.

at the time my hymen was so thick that the gyno was talking about possibly having it surgically removed, but he still gave me a pelvic exam. it felt very strange, but not painful. i made sure mom was in the room at all times (she had a little more experience when it came to talking to the gyno). i left confident and happy i'd had it done.

i think the key to a good relationship with any kind of doctor is to be completely open and honest. there's absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about, and even though it might be strange to talk about things that you usually just don't talk about, they're there to help. so don't be shy! ;) if you'd feel more comfortable if a loved one is present, don't hesitate to take them with you.

good luck! =)

[morlockkid.livejournal.com]

hrmm.. why doesn't thing thing allow you to post anonymous?.. anyway.. I've got a weak period as well.. it's been many months since my last one, and i read somewhere that it could be because you're under weight.. and at the time i was, so i gained weight.. but still nothing.. so is it possible a lack of exersize could be the problem? And do you think this is one of those more ..not good?

[alitaorg.livejournal.com]

it's impossible for me to do anything more but guess. nearly everything effects our cycles - our mood, our work ethic, what we eat, how much we exercise, and *especially* how much stress is in our lives and how well we deal with it.

that's when doctors come in. ;) your new gyno is much more equipped to read the symptoms that (almost) all of us are.

let us know how the appointment goes. don't be scared - we're all rooting for you! =)

[morlockkid.livejournal.com]

hmm i don't think i'll be going to that doctor anytime soon, kinda in a finical crisis at the moment, and any type of doctor visit would be too expencisve. So i'm still not sure if i should be happy, or EXTREMELY worried.. but thank for your help!

[alitaorg.livejournal.com]

if you can't afford it, get thee to a planned parenthood!!

[thatdirtyblonde.livejournal.com]

VP doesn't allow anonymous posters because it cuts back on flame wars, trolling, and other nastiness. it means people are accountable for their comments.

however, if you have a question you'd like to ASK anonymously because you're shy about it, you can email it to one of the VP administrators (listed on the userinfo page) and they will post it for you.

:)