so.... i know there are mom's out there who want to drive me there themselves....

[moshing-nekked.livejournal.com]

Ok so i may get yelled at here or have a few heads shaking but my mother never told me how to be a woman, she was rasied in a very strict catholic house...

ok so to the point.

i'm 23, never been to a OB/GYN.

i am sexually active with the same (only) guy for 2.5 years.

i've never had any Yeast Infections, Urinary Tract Infections, nothing.

the worst i've ever had is a reaction to trojan spermicial condoms and one lubricant i tried, but after switching products any sort of problems immediatly went away. and the reactions were no mere than a uncomfortable itch.

and i'm not nor have i ever been on BC, and i'd like to be, but i have some deep rooted fears..

now i told you about my mom, well my father has also passed down his fear of doctors unto me...

and i've heard that when they "speculum" you it hurts like no other.

so what i want to know is if i'm not having any vagina issues should i really see a vagina doctor? i don't even go to the dentist or doctor for check ups...

hell my car doesnt even get oil between oil changes...

well i also want to add that i've seen how helpful and wonderful this community is and want to thank you in advance and i am glad i'm now part of this.

Comments

[jasminelily.livejournal.com]

If you are sexually active, yes, you should go to a gyno. While some people may have experienced pain during an exam, I will say that I've never experienced pain during one -- yes, there's a period of discomfort, but no actual pain. Don't be too anxious about it, it's really not that bad.

[rendancer.livejournal.com]

I heard you should go when you hit 18 or become sexually active...which ere comes first. I'm 19 and have gone twice. And I'm not sexually active. The first time I was like "goood gawd woman" but that was only because she didn't exactly warn me that the speculum was cold and that she was also doing a quick rectal. The second was much less dramatic. Neither time did it hurt. There was some discomfort, but no real pain. Don't worry hon. I think it's actually really cool to go, because I get to ask questions and learn about myself.

[moochar.livejournal.com]

Yes, you should be going & getting checked out. Of course you are an adult, no one can make you go. My mom is in her mid-40's & hasn't been to a gyno in years, even though she had cervical cancer in her 20's. I'd like her to go, but I can't make her. I've never had any problems, but I still make sure to go every Janurary.

I think it's important to let you know it's really nothing. I was scared when I went, too. After the first time I realized getting my blood taken was the worse part of the entire doctor's visit. I have friends who told me how bad it was going to hurt when they did this or that, but the truth was that it didn't hurt. It's not the most fun expierence, there are a couple moments of a bit of discomfort, but really overall it's nothing. I think the worse part for me is when she swabs to take the sample, because for a split second I get this stinging, tickle kind of feeling.

If you want to be on BC you know you have to go to the gyno. It's 1 trip once a year just to give yourself a clean bill of health. It's less than an hour a year, & thats if it's busy. Usually I get a urine test, blood taken, & a pap done in under 30 minutes. Personally I like to go just because I like to hear everything is fine. And after you go once, it will seem like nothing.

[amber911.livejournal.com]

The first time I went I thought I was gonna be in so much pain. But the only "bad" thing was when it gets slightly uncomfortable. And even that wasn't bad. Good luck, you'll be fine! x

[ryf.livejournal.com]

The speculum doesn't usually hurt, especially if you have had sex before. They put lube on it (you should mention that you had a reaction to one, they usually have two or three different lubes there) and if you breath correctly you don't even feel much.

And yes, I think you should go and see a gyn. Even if it's only for talking at first.

[ryf.livejournal.com]

Oh, and to add to why you should go: One thing I really learned there was to check my breasts. I think that's really important and can only be learned by having it shown to you.

[whoa-breathe.livejournal.com]

I agree, I have never had any pain or anything more than that feeling that you just kinda want the doctor to be done looking at your vagina. ;) It lasts 5 minutes seriously, and is NOT what all the horror stories crack it up to be. Just think of it as an errand that isn't all that fun, but has to be done...like waiting in line at the post office. Not painful, but not fun either.

[whoa-breathe.livejournal.com]

Oops, it wasn't the horror story FOR ME. Everyone has a different experience and some people have had bad experiences. But just like everything else in life, not everyone has a great experience with everything...and that shouldn't stop you from giving it a try yourself.

[she-obliterated.livejournal.com]

You should go. I have my own horror story.

My first gyn exam was so traumatizing (try going to a doctor who only says "Down there" and see what kind of ideas you come out of it with) that I didn't see one from the time I was 19 until the time I was 23. Then I went, you know, just to get it done and it was like "TA DA! You have a PROBLEM!" Moderate cervical dysplasia. In English, moderately abnormal cells in my cervix. But all I heard was, "Well, it could turn into cancer at some point..." and that was the end of my fear of the gyn. I was his best customer after that.

Since I had to sit through a colposcopy, three biopsies and a LEEP after that, I really suggest finding things early.

A speculum SHOULD NOT HURT. The End. It will be uncomfortable, but if anything causes actual pain, speak up. You might need a smaller speculum. On a scale from 0-Childbirth a speculum should be a 1 or a 2. If anything you should feel a little pressure and mild discomfort.

Also, explaining to your Dr. that this is your first time will probably help. I've found that if you do that, they tend to go slower and explain things in a lot of detail.

[ihatepavel.livejournal.com]

The speculum has never hurt me. Once it caused a little discomfort (by which I do not mean "mild pain." I mean it was a strange feeling that I was unused to. No pain).

[starsorstreet.livejournal.com]

Same. A lot of the time I'm never sure when she's done taking the sample.

[tealight-rookie.livejournal.com]

I agree with all the others... I am 29 and only went for my first smear test this year. I was terrified (abuse history - yada yada) but it was so much better than I expected. Apparently I have a pretty long vagina, which meant I had to have a longer speculum than most, and even then my GP had to try a few times to actually reach my illusive cervix, but the most I felt was discomfort, and never any pain. It is strange, yes, but I wouldn't describe it as painful. Keep talking to the doctor and breathing...

[megan0905.livejournal.com]

I was so nervous to go for the first time, but then it didn't even hurt me! In fact, it wasn't even uncomfortable. I think that the key is making sure you stay relaxed.

[sidewinder.livejournal.com]

You should go. If you're sexually active, you owe it to yourself to go.

I'm 33 and I only went for the first time this year...never had any real problems down there so it never was on my mind to do so until now...and what do you know, my first pap smear came back "abnormal". Needless to say I was pretty shaken up because I was so convinced I had no health issues that I needed to monitor or worry about.

The speculum didn't hurt at all, quite honestly. The key is to simply relax and not get all tense and worked up about it. The only thing I felt was the tiniest tinge when they took the pap swab, and that was it! (Now, when I had to go back for follow-up testing because of my abnormal pap, that's another story.)

I'm just saying, do it. Even if you've only been with one person, you may have picked up something like HPV and not show any symptoms...and like me, that can lead to abnormal paps and conditions that need to be monitored in the future, even cancer.

It won't take long, it's not that uncomfortable, it shouldn't even be that expensive if (like me) you don't have insurance, and it could possibly save your life. There's really very little reason NOT to go.

[disclaimher.livejournal.com]

Yes, you should go, simply as a preventative measure. I have a smaller vagina (and I've been sexually active for the past 3 years) so my doctor chose to use a childs size speculum on me over the standard adult sized one. If the standard one hurts any (and it shouldn't, so speak up if it does) ask your doctor if they have the smaller one available.

Trust your doctor. And if something simple gets way too painful, know that you can ask to see someone else right away.

[mangofandango.livejournal.com]

Yes, you should go. It's important because of the pap smear, mostly - you should be getting a pap smear every year once you're 18 or sexually active.

The speculum does not hurt. Nothing the gynecologist does should really hurt. They lube the speculum before they use it. It's important to relax as much as you can as they put it in to your vagina, because it will be more comfortable that way (if it's hard to do, you can sort of conciously tense your muscles and then conciously release them, and make sure your pelvic muscles relax too. Then take a deep, slow breath, and keep breathing while they're doing the exam.) If you're tense, it will be more uncomfortable, but there shouldn't be *pain*. If it does hurt at all, ask the doctor to use a smaller speculum. You can also tell the doctor in advance that you're nervous and ask them to walk you through everything they do.

For me, the speculum feels a little uncomfortable - like, not painful, just strange. The actual pap smear sometimes gives me a little crampy feeling, but it's mild and quick. And it's worth it for the peace of mind of knowing everything's okay. :)

[appletrees.livejournal.com]

I had an exam when I was a virgin, and the speculum did hurt then... but when I told her it hurt, she stopped and said I could wait until I had had sex to get the pap done. They will also do an internal exam, where they place a finger or two inside and use the other hand to feel the shape of your ovaries, etc. This is not painful at all, and like with the speculum, they use plenty of lube.

Now that I'm not a virgin, the speculum does not hurt at all. You do feel it, but it's not pain, just pressure. The actual pap smear (the swabbing of the cervix) you usually can't feel at all.

[cynica.livejournal.com]

I had never had a yeast infection or UTI, either, before my first exam. I had had one boyfriend for 3 months before I went. My first results came back abnormal with pre-cancerous cells (dysplasia). There's no way I could have known about that until it was too late had I not gone to the GYN.

You absolutely have to go. It's the non-symptomatic things that you won't know about 'til it's too late that the GYN will test for.

[the-myth-eve.livejournal.com]

You might want to see about calling and speak with an obgyn first, a woman if you prefer. Talk with her and tell her you are extremely nervous about coming and for your first visit you would just like to possible go over what an exam would entail. Than possibly you could go in, she could talk it over with you, you would feel more at ease. Than you could make an appointment to go in next week and feel a lot more at ease.
Like everyone else has mentioned, yes you do need to go.

[puckish.livejournal.com]

I second the suggestion above: make an appointment for a consultation. Go in, meet the doctor and nurses, and if you feel comfortable, have the exam -- but don't feel obligated on your first try.

Um, and you should also be going to the dentist and doctor for regular check-ups.

[jitteryladybug.livejournal.com]

Don't worry so much. Its a little awkward, especially if you haven't ever met your doc/nurse before... "ho hum, a medical practicioner and stranger is poking at my bits,"... but its not usually painfull. different women have different levels of sensitivity, and you don't know until you've gone once. And if you want b/c, this is the way to get it! The speculum shouldn't hurt, ESPECIALLY if you're sexually active and have gotten used to larger things in there. if you're worried about it hurting a lot, then ask for a pediatrician speculum (isn't that what they're called? the extra small ones) and it shouldn't be too bad. the only time (aside from them puting a finger in and poking around) that is uncomfortable (and that poking's only uncomfortable because its someone you don't know professionally feeling around, lol) is when they take a little swab/scrape with a little brush thing in your cervix. it doesn't take more than 5 minutes, usually. then, all done, don't have to do it again til next year. yay!

good luck!

[sameoldlife1.livejournal.com]

The exam doesn't hurt and it's over with quickly (1-2 minutes TOPS) My doctors usually talk through it and all I ever feel is like a slight cramp. No pain, just a quick "pinch". Like other people said, you should go to get checked out. There are a ton of things that could be wrong that you'd never know about without a gyno poking around down there. It's not scary- I HATE doctors and I have learned one thing: yearly trips to the gyno and dentist (didn't go for 3 years, then had to have 2 root canals!)are a must.

[manleigh03.livejournal.com]

I'm a virgin, I went to the gyno for the first time today, and it didn't hurt one bit. I didn't really feel any discomfort, other than the obvious "there's a man I've never met sticking things into my vagina" feeling. I was nervous for nothing. Just make sure they know it's your first time, and you should be just fine.

[moshing-nekked.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU LADIES!

you have convinced me to go... i don't have insurance so i intend on vistin PP i heard they do it by income.

i'm still nervous but a lot less so.

[polgara]

I don't know if this'll help or not, but FWIW.

I started using a menstural cup with a fair number of difficulties. One night I thought I'd inserted it. In the morning it wasn't there/there wasn't a horrid sticky mess in my bed. I was baffled.

I was eventually persuaded I should go and see someone and get them to check it wasn't still stuck somewhere inside me that I couldn't reach. I've never had PIV and the nurse warned me that it would be uncomfortable. Having been unable to find anything with her fingers, she slipped the speculum in - that felt a bit weird though it wasn't painful. Then she opened it up and I felt a fairly sharp achey sensation in my cervix - I'd describe this as slightly painful, but YMMV.

She then began to move it about - I'm fairly certain they don't need to do this when they're just taking a smear/PAP (I've never had one because I've never had PIV, I'm under 25 and I'm in the UK where the recommendations are one smear test every three years once you're 25 and sexually active). This hurt (again IME) - my cervix was being continually poked in different places by the ends of the speculum and I was certainly complaining a bit (lots of 'oh' and 'that hurts') but it wasn't pain of the kind that was going to make me cry. It was entirely manageable. She offered to stop at a number of points and I was able to say 'no, it's OK, keep going' each time.

It'll be OK - not necessarily very *nice*, but it's not going to have you screaming or anything like that.

(oh and in the end, she didn't find the missing menstural cup - after I'd spent a long time worrying about going to see someone about it.)

Ooh... cliffhanger!

[lilmoe.livejournal.com]

Soo, did you ever find the menstrual cup? I'm just curious since I'm headed to Toronto this week and I figured I'd buy a Diva Cup while I'm in the big city. That's quite an investment to have my vagina eat it while I sleep! =D

[http://users.livejournal.com/drama_/]

I'll throw in my experience here, too.

When I was 14 or so, I was taken to the hospital and had to have a pelvic done by the doctor on call. I remember the nurse saying that they were out of medium and small speculums (speculates?) and the doctor saying to just give him a large. A large. On a 14-year-old virgin. So yeah, there was a lot of screaming and blinding pain involved, which the doctor just ignored and kept going. Needless to say, I was terrified to go the gyno years later when I decided I wanted to go on the pill. But it didn't hurt at all. There was a mild uncomfortable feeling, mostly because I was tensed up and it's just an uncomfortable situation to have someone sticking their hands up your vagina. Really, nothing bad. I learned that if you let your doctor know that you're nervous and they know what they're doing, it's really not that big a deal. It's something you really should get done, no need to be afraid.

Well, that's my paragraph. LOL

yes- go to the doctor.

[constructingme.livejournal.com]

pap smears can detect abnormalities that can lead to cervical cancer, and cervical abnormalities are usually asymptomatic.

[emeryldmist.livejournal.com]

Please. Go. to. the. Doctor!
Advice: Tell the doctore it is your first exam and that you are nervous. Keep talking to the doctor while you are haaving the exam. If a question pops in your head ask it immediatly. If you talk during the exam, you don't hardly feel a thing (unless the equipment is cold). If you do feel anything it will feel like pressure (like a bit of sex if you are not in the mood). Ask the doc to explain everything they are doing so that it is not a mystery. Good Luck!!!

[inspiringastrid.livejournal.com]

Doctor's scare me like no other. But not for fear of pain but just because its such an intimate thing that they do.

I am starting out with the dentists and hopefully one day..

Good luck.

[sergernewbie.livejournal.com]

I come from similar parentage. I truly wonder how many healthy problems that I've had would have been prevented [or at least alleviated somewhat] by seeing doctors regularly. My husband and children received all appropriate medical care and are much healthier than I am. Don't be afraid to see a doctor/dentist for any reason - in fact, go now for no reason other than it is time for a checkup. You're overdue.

It will be worth it in the long run.