Gyno question

[pityfarmer.livejournal.com]

Hi all, long time lurker first time poster yadda yadda yadda. I'm sure tons of questions like these have been answered but I don't know who else to ask and everyone I have asked/everywhere I have searched hasn't helped.

I have a gyno appt on Monday and its my first one. Its due to irregular periods/cramps that I faint from/cysts and more. Well my period showed up for the first time in 3 months and so I called the clinic and they said to still come in since it would be impossible to rebook around it.

I'm fine with the exam itself, but what the hell do I do about my period?!?! I can imagine a tampon would be clean but wouldn't coincide with the "no sex, douche etc 24 hours before". So should I wear a pad and be all messy?? How would that work?

Please help.

Comments

[dkwgdk.livejournal.com]

I would wear a pad and just let them deal with it. They're doctors, they told you to come in, it's their problem! (Also, if your periods are anything like mine were in my pre-Mirena days, Depends underpants are absolutely the best thing ever for heavy bleeding. They are not sexy and they are not the most comfortable thing ever, but they definitely keep the mess in check, even if you bleed really rapidly like I did.)

[mystofthestars.livejournal.com]

Just use the pad ^^ there are gyno exams you need to take while still bleeding and... well, they're doctors, they're used to deal with this. :) Don't be worried about it!

[loototherah.livejournal.com]

I've gone to my gyno appointment wearing a pad while I was on the heaviest day of my period, and they didn't care. They deal with this all the time. :)

[archangelbeth]

Agreed, come in with a pad. However, after the check? Tuck a tampon in your pocket or carrything, and you can use that afterwards if you want.

[pixi-drops.livejournal.com]

The first time I went to the gyno I was on my period, but it was kinda one of those "Surprise!" things. I called and they told me to just come in wearing a pad. They should be pretty used to dealing with all sorts of issues :)

[technicolornina.livejournal.com]

Agreeing with everyone else--just go with a pad. If you want to be absolutely sure (or if you're one of those who use a cup), just give the office a ring and ask; I guarantee they'll be happy to let you know over the phone how to handle it.

[pityfarmer.livejournal.com]

Thanks all. Its what I was thinking, I just get self conscious about a smell being in that area. I know they're used to everything down there and worse but still.

Between the cup and changing pads often I can control the blood but at 21, and having been like this since I was 13, I really wanna know why.

[graybluesky3.livejournal.com]

This is kind of off topic but your symptoms sound very similar to PCOS. I used to not have my period for over a year at a time and when I did get it, it would be really heavy for like 2 weeks. I had cysts on my right ovary as well. I got on the pill and my cysts went away. I'm sure your gyno will be able to clear this up for you though

[she-of-emeralds.livejournal.com]

Seconding, thirding and fourthing about just going in wearing a pad and letting them deal with it. BUT if you are really embarrassed about the mess, get some baby wipes, bring them along, and go into the bathroom and use them before your appointment. That generally takes care of the worst of the mess. If not baby wipes, then toilet paper moistened in the sink might help a bit.

[skankkbby.livejournal.com]

Or, the doctor will most likely have special wipes to keep clean down there, mine does. I'm not so sure about the baby wipes, because mixing certain chemicals with your *down there* stuff could affect certain tests.

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

Did they specifically say to not have sex or douche beforehand? Because that rule usually applies to pap smears, where the discharge must be just what's always there, nothing introduced. The act of penetration can also disrupt cervical cells, making paps inaccurate. If they're just doing an ultrasound, I don't see why stray tampon fibers would be a problem. (They'd have you remove the tampon before the exam.)

[pityfarmer.livejournal.com]

They did inform me of the "no entrada" rule since there will be a pap smear. There's been a few minor exams and an abdo ultrasound confirming cysts but this will be a pap, internal ultrasound and visual exam because nothing is working properly down there. My family doctor has suggested PCOS or endometriosis but doesn't want to deny/confirm so she sent me off to get a full set of tests to figure it out.

I'm thinking of just doing the pad and cleaning up before actually going into the room. Just will wear pretty socks to keep my mind off of it lol

Thanks everyone, here's hoping it goes well

[eatswithfork.livejournal.com]

I don't think they care about you being messy but as far as the appointment itself goes, sometimes I end up waiting on the table for a more than comfortable amount of time if I had to be totally padless and when I had my IUD inserted on my period I kept everything on until the doc came in then I just hopped off the table and took off my underwear - no big deal. I would imagine keeping on your underwear/pad under the gown or drape until the doctor actually walks in wouldn't be a problem if that makes you more comfortable.