(no subject)

[lyssiek.livejournal.com]

Maybe someone knows the answer to this in this community..
I've heard of places that offer the pill without an exam...is that planned parenthood or somewhere else?

Comments

[strand3d.livejournal.com]

It's planned parenthood. But i think you do eventually need an exam. I think they'll give you about three months or so without an exam, but then you do have to have one. At least that's how it works with the one around here.

[thevargasgirl.livejournal.com]

why not get an exam? its really important to do so, and only takes 5 minutes.
-=t

[lyssiek.livejournal.com]

See..I was about to..until i read somethin from this community at plannedparenthood.com andd..i read how they do the exam...and
1-i dont want my cervix to bleed after they swab it..
2-the "bimanual exam" or whatever..they stick 2 fingers up both of your holes and push against the wall between your vagina and rectal area to feel for cancerous stuff..
3=the second part of the bimanual..they stick to fingers in your vagina and two above your pubic bone and push to feel the size of your uterus and the shape of it and everything...

blah..those thoughts make me cringe, im sorry...im only 16..and it scares me to have sex using only a condom...sometimes i feel like i could still be pregnant..and id really not like to have an abortion in my conscience for the rest of my life..so i wanna get the pill without an exam..maybe ill get an exam whem im 18..

[thevargasgirl.livejournal.com]

your cervix wont bleed, its rare that happens.
the fingers only lasts a second. if you can have a penis in you, two doctor fingers will feel like nothin.
really, for your own health, get an exam BEFORE you get on birth control. if youre having sex you should have an exam yearly.

you mention that youre only 16. it doesnt matter. if youre old enough to be having sex, youre old enough to take care of yourself my getting a yearly.

-=t

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

this is the question that would apply to me. protected sex doesn't scare me, gynecologists do. see my comment above this one for WHY gynecologists scare me...

Girl, if gynos scare you, and you can't bring yourself to get an exam, then you shouldn't be having sex, PERIOD!

It's about your HEALTH. It's not a fun experience, no, but it's NOT that bad!

You don't want to bleed? Why not, because blood is disgusting? It's just blood.

I didn't bleed the first time. Not everyone does. It just depends on the person.

It's NOT that bad of an experience. Request a female doctor..find someone you feel comfortable with..tell them it's your first time, and have them talk you through it.

I've had 4 or 5 gyno exams, and none of them stuck anything up my rectum. I don't think that's a normal exam. The normal gyno exam is quick and generally painless, and if there IS pain, it's very minimal. It basically feels like a few seconds worth of light cramping.

im only 16..and it scares me to have sex using only a condom...

Then get on the pill. You WILL have to take an exam. I don't now of any place who will let you just take the pill, without an exam, for more than 2 or three months, as a girl above said.

If you aren't ready for it you should not be having sex, period.

[giltedge.livejournal.com]

I agree 100%!

[elusis.livejournal.com]

If you're not ready to deal with a gynecologist, you're not ready for sex. Sex is an adult responsibility, and part of that responsibility is taking care of your body properly.

The gynecologist does wear latex gloves, just in case you were thinking he or she would be using bare fingers.

No responsible doctor will just put you on the Pill and forego any kind of pelvic exam. It's not safe for you.

[elusis.livejournal.com]

If you're not ready to deal with a gynecologist, you're not ready for sex. Sex is an adult responsibility, and part of that responsibility is taking care of your body properly.

The gynecologist does wear latex gloves, just in case you were thinking he or she would be using bare fingers.

No responsible doctor will just put you on the Pill and forego any kind of pelvic exam. It's not safe for you.

[of-wings.livejournal.com]

I can't stress enough how important it is to have an annual pelvic exam/pap smear- especially if you're sexually active.

And I have to echo what some of the other posters have said already- if you're not ready to take responsibility for your body, you're not ready for sex.

Despite the initial 'cringe' factor, the exam is nothing more than a few minutes of discomfort.

I've never bleed after a pelvic exam/pap smear. Did you know that there is a chance of damaging vaginal/cervical lining during sex that will cause you to bleed (sometimes without your knowledge)?

What would you do if you got pregnant? It's hard for me to believe that a girl who refuses to have a simple pelvic exam would be able to go through an abortion (like you mentioned in one of your responses) or all of the exams involved in carrying a baby full-term.

Going to the ob/gyn is something every healthy woman needs to do. It's not sexual or gross- it's natural and necessary in order for you to stay healthy.

If you're having sex, even if it's protected, you're at risk for sexually transmitted diseases. It doesn't matter if you have symptoms or not- you could have something. You could be predisposed to reproductive cancers. You could have cysts or a number of other reproductive health issues. You never know until you're fully checked out.

Going to the ob/gyn is something every woman needs to do. It's not sexual or gross- it's natural and necessary in order for you to stay healthy.

I highly doubt you'll be able to get the Pill without an exam, but I hope it's something you decide to do on your own, for your own health and that of your partner(s).

[sadisticclone.livejournal.com]

1. It's a very very very slight chance it will bleed. It's such a small chance, it's not even worth worrying about. And if it does bleed, then there's probably something wrong with you that NEEDS to be checked out by a doctor anyways.
2. I've never heard of that being done, nor have I had it done to me.
3. Yep, get over it. That's just part of the exam and is quick and painless.

So what if you're only 16? I'm only 17, and I took myself when I was 16 because I knew I had to. It's part of being a responsible person. It does not hurt, it is not scary, and quite frankly, as everyone else has said, if you're not ready for this.. You're not ready for sex or the pill. Exams are YEARLY. Meaning, you grit your teeth and do it once a year, big deal. Going to the dentist hurts more then the gyno. Infact, rarely do people feel pain, and if they do, it's minimal, and quick.

Suck it up and just go. If you don't, and you end up pregnant.. who's fault is it then? Your's. Because you wouldn't go for a 5 minute exam to help protect yourself. You need to weigh your advantages and disadvantages. And if you don't want an exam, don't have sex.

[katlynel.livejournal.com]

they stick 2 fingers up both of your holes
Uh, no.
I have had pelvic exams from five different doctors. Only one ever did a rectal exam -- and it was only one finger when she did. Ask before you make the appointment whether that gyno routinely does rectal exams, and if so, choose another gyno. The vast majority don't do this.

Cervical bleeding is quite rare.

Some places will give the Pill without an exam and some will not. You'd really just need to call around and ask.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

My cervix has never bled after a pap smear, and I've had maybe 20 pap smears in my life. And I barely even notice the bimanual exam. They're really easy to get used to. They don't hurt. (If there's a twinge of pain, it might be because there's a problem, and that's good to know about. But they've never hurt me.)

The pill is not a perfectly safe little drug. It *can* cause physical problems in some women, and it's important for the doctor to know that you're not one of those people. At the very least, a basic medical appointment should be part of it, including taking a medical history and checking blood pressure. The pelvic exam is also a useful tool. The doctors don't usually want to prescribe patients drugs that might hurt them. They need the info they get from the exam to help them decide whether it's right for you.

[mangofandango.livejournal.com]

1 - I've had many a pelvic exam. I had a bacterial infection for a while that took several visits to go away, so I had several exams for that, and I've had like 4 pap smears. I've never bled at all, and while the procedure is a bit uncomfortable, it's nothing you or any other person who has sex can't handle. A few people spot when the swab is taken, but it doesn't really hurt - it's just spotting, and it only lasts a few hours. If you have periods and live through them, you can deal with the pap even if you do bleed a little - but you probably won't bleed at all.

2- I've never, ever had any doctor do a rectal exam on me. If you really don't want that to happen, call ahead and ask whether they do them (or ask them to describe the procedure they'll use for your exam). It's probably not going to happen anyway.

3- yeah, that's pretty much what happens. It's a little bit uncomfortable. I went through it when I was a virgin - that hurt some, but I survived it and went on to have more exams after that. If you're having sex, it's not going to be nearly that bad. It's also very, very quick - we're taking about less than a minute for that part, probably, and 5 minutes all together.

Cringing is okay. Being uncomfortable and nervous is okay. Tell the doctor that's how you feel, and they will walk you through, use a small speculum, and generally help you through it. What isn't okay is denying that you have a responsibility to do this. You have every right to have sex, and every right to protection, but like anything else, it comes with some things you need to do. It's like buying a car - you may not want to pay for insurance or take the road test, but if you're going to drive, you have to.

Now honestly, you could probably get around it somehow. That's up to you. But I hope that this thread gets you to weigh the risk of cancer, STIs, and reproductive problems that you might be missing if you don't get the exam against the 5 minutes of discomfort and nervousness that you'll experience by getting it. Good luck.

[puttysan.livejournal.com]

The rectal exam is only for older women. Tell the doc you don't want it done, and she won't. Problem solved.

If you cannot handle going to the doctor, you should not be having sex.

[thekat03.livejournal.com]

lyssiek,
you probably are best off getting physically examined, even though you are scared of what might get done and so on
i would recommend calling planned parenthood or going to your doctor and talking about it
let the doctor know what you've heard about and what you're afraid of
let him or her know that youre really nervous and ask them to be extra gentle and careful (not that they wouldnt have been otherwise, but it doesnt hurt to reemphasize that)
if at any point during the exam you are uncomfortable or hurt, let your doctor know right away
this first time will be scary, but hopefully it will be a good experience
good luck (:

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

If you're not ready for an exam, then you are not ready for the pill.

If you are using the pill to regulate your periods, then you need an exam.

If you are using the pill to not get pregnant..why are you having sex if you aren't ready for an exam?

[lyssiek.livejournal.com]

If you are using the pill to not get pregnant..why are you having sex if you aren't ready for an exam?

this is the question that would apply to me. protected sex doesn't scare me, gynecologists do. see my comment above this one for WHY gynecologists scare me...

[lyssiek.livejournal.com]

If you are using the pill to not get pregnant..why are you having sex if you aren't ready for an exam?

this is the question that would apply to me. protected sex doesn't scare me, gynecologists do. see my comment above this one for WHY gynecologists scare me...

[jenbys.livejournal.com]

I completely understand how you feel.....I had my first exam a few months ago, years after I started having sex. It was really stupid of me to wait but I was scared too.

But you really need to know......that although you may not be scared of unprotected sex....you should be scared about the risk of cervical cancer. If you are having sex, no matter what your age.....you are at risk....not too mention STDS, which even with protection it is sometimes possible to contract. When I told my doctor (my primary female doctor was able to do my pap smear) when I became sexual active...and the fact that I'd never had an exam.....she told me I was lucky she didn't beat me over the head...lol. Thankfully there were no problems......but that's more luck than anything else.

Really honestly....it's not a scary or painful thing, at best it's 5 minutes of your life and slight discomfort. It's your responsibility to take care of yourself, and the peace of mind you get from doing just that....will be well worth the trip.

[strand3d.livejournal.com]

If you're having sex its important that you have an exam. The only way PPH would give you pills without an exam is if you were using it for acne reasons, or something like that. If you're having sex they won't do it. It's important to have a yearly exam to make sure your system is in order, and if you're having sex its very important to have this done.

I've never had any bleeding after an exam. Sex was 500 times more uncomfortable than a gyno exam. The doctor always uses a lot of lube, and you literally feel nothing.

Its good that you want to get on the pill to be extra sure that you don't get pregnant. But don't you want to have an exam so you're extra sure you don't have cervical cancer? breast cancer? etc?

[lindsey-nichole.livejournal.com]

there is nothing more important than sexual health. i know my planned parenthood won't give you bc without an exam, but i'm sure there are some that won't especially if you aren't using the pill for birth control reasons but rather to regulate your period or something.

exams are NOT that bad. they only last a couple of minutes and are virtually painless. even if your cervix is irritated chances are you'll only notice for a couple of hours. it's no different than having rough sex or being fingered too roughly.

i have never had a gyno check both "holes". ever. i'm sure in cases they do but in the event you just want bc i don't see why they would. and when the insert the finger in your vagina it is just to make sure your uterus is the right size and okay. it does not feel any different than being fingered. and it doesn't hurt.

chances are the exam won't hurt at all and if it does there only be a slight discomfort and it will be over before you know it.

and as everyone else said, if you aren't ready to be responsible about your sexual health you aren't responsible enough to have sex.

[nonsynthetic.livejournal.com]

You're going to have to do it eventually, so you should just do it and get it over with. It's not really something fun that you would look forward to, but it's not like it's surgery. It all only lasts for a few minutes and they are professionals who are concerned about your health, not just some weirdos who want to fondle you before they give you pills. They see tons of women all day, every day for the same exact reason. It's something that every woman has to go through.

The experience with my first one was HORRIBLE. I had a male doctor who seemed to be doing almost everything he could just to make me feel uncomfortable. I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but it was bad.
I now go to Planned Parenthood (which my insurance doesn't even cover) because it's a very comfortable environment with mostly female staff so they actually understand how you feel and do their best to make you comfortable. During the exam they usually tell you exactly what they're doing before they do it (no surprises), and then it's over in two seconds and you're free to go.

Be brave! Get it over with.

[sweet-tea79.livejournal.com]

I'm going to echo what everyone else has said...if you're not ready for the gyno, then you're not ready to have sex. Period. For your health, your partner(s) health, and your future fertility, you sould go if you are sexually active now. The exam is quick, the discomfort is minimal, and you'll get your birth control pills and be on your way. The doctor/pa/gnp will use lots of lube and it'll be over before you know it.

On another note, as a female medical student who is interested in Ob/Gyn, it's so wonderful to see all you ladies supporting each other and women's health!

slightly off topic. but

[lindsey-nichole.livejournal.com]

i am also a female medical student interested in ob/gyn :) and that's why i love this community.

Re: slightly off topic. but

[sweet-tea79.livejournal.com]

yay! i'm an M1 and today was only our second day of classes. i'm very excited. what year are you?

Re: slightly off topic. but

[lindsey-nichole.livejournal.com]

i'm still pre-med actually.

[nonsynthetic.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, and I'm not sure who wrote the information you have, or why...but in my experiences:

1. I have never bled, not even the first time. If you're already sexually active, you probably won't either.
2. & 3. They have never put anything anywhere near my rectum.

[sweet-tea79.livejournal.com]

just as a footnote, i have bled from the gynocologist. well, my pap smear was scheduled for the day before my period was supposed to start, and it just made it start early. they told me that might happen and really it wasn't a big deal...i was expecting my period anyways!

[geminigirl]

I've had only some doctors who do a rectal exam, and some who don't. More often they don't.

Even using a condom, things like herpes or HPV can spread from one person to another. You don't want to mess around. If you can't cope with the gynecologist you're really not taking care of yourself, and you shouldn't be sexually active. It's been repeated over and over again, but it can't hurt you to hear it again. If you're going to be sexually active, you need to take care of your body. It's about you and your partner and protecting both of you.

[annis39.livejournal.com]

i had my yearly this morning, and once again, as for the past 8 years, no problems ensued. no bleeding, no lingering discomfort. and i've never, ever had anyone do anything with my rectum during a gynecological exam. yeah, maybe accidentally press up against it when inserting fingers into my vagina in order to palpate everything, but nothing intentional or invasive. you need to know what's going on with your sexual organs if you're going to be sexually active. not to toss out a scare story or anything, but i've got a friend who may have cervical cancer, but it was caught because she went in for her annual exam. that's why it's important.

go make an appointment, ask for a female examiner, and make sure she knows it's your first time. if you've got a friend who's close enough, take her in with you. it'll be over a lot more quickly and easily than you think.

i hope we're not all freaking you out here, but it think we've managed to make it clear how important this is. good luck!

[melkitsune.livejournal.com]

Well when I got my first Depo shot (at PP) I didn't need an exam... only when I went back for my second shot.

The exam seriously lasts no more than 3 minutes, if that. I get a bit anxious anyway, but then it's over and I'm happy!

[infiniteamanda.livejournal.com]

Ladies!

I have nothing to add, but you helped ME a lot.
I'm not sexually active, and definitley didn't know anything about going to get examed etc. But, of course, I know of birth control.
Thanks for all the input, I know I'm going to need it one day!

xoxo