"The Doctor" and Gynecological Exams
As scary and embarrassing as the topic sounds, it is actually a simple procedure. You go in, you answer a list of questions, and you have an exam that’s over in a blink of an eye. It’s probably the easiest doctor appointment you’ll ever have. But before you go, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Gynecological exams are a good idea if you are sexually active or are thinking of becoming sexually active, if you have painful or unusual periods, if you feel any pain around your pelvic area, or when you’re about 18. Try scheduling a time when you know you won’t be on your period because it’s harder to get good results from your tests.
You should think about any questions you might have to ask the doctor. Try writing down the questions so you don’t forget them or in case you are too embarrassed to ask them out loud.
Be prepared to answer some personal questions too. BE HONEST! The doctor isn’t there to turn you in, so make sure to tell them everything they want to know so they can help you with what you need. They only want to know the whole story to keep you healthy, they will not judge you. You might be surprised how easy it is to talk to your doctor or nurse. Some of the questions you might be asked are:
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When was your last period; how often do you have them; and how long do they last?·
Do you have vaginal discharge or spotting or bleeding between your periods?·
If you're sexually active, what kind of birth control do you use?·
Do you experience any pain or bleeding during sex?·
Have any of the women in your family had gynecological problems?·
Have you had any other kinds of medical problems?·
Have you ever been pregnant; do you think you might be pregnant; and are you trying to get pregnant?·
Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease or infection (STD or STI); do you think you might have one?·
Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs regardless if legally or illegally? (Yes, it is important to answer this question truthfully, and no you won’t get into trouble for being honest.)·
Do you have allergies?Most health care places keep all personal information private. This means that no one is allowed to discuss anything you tell them about your personal life. However, there are a few providers that don’t require keeping teen information private. Make sure you ask them when making your appointment if they have a confidentiality policy for teens.
Gynecological exams serve one purpose, to make sure you are healthy. They accomplish this in three ways. One way is to ask you the questions they need to know, as mentioned above. The other two ways are by a breast exam and a pelvic exam.
The Breast Exam
There’s nothing to it. The doctor or nurse will check your breasts for any lumps or discharge from your nipples and will ask you if you've noticed anything unusual or experienced any pain. She may show you how to perform a breast self examination (BSE) that you can do on your own.
The Pelvic Exam
Your clinician will ask you to lie down on the examining table and put your feet in the footrests. First of all, take a deep breath and relax! She's not going to do anything that will hurt, and the more relaxed you are, the more comfortable you'll be mentally and physically! You might want to ask her to explain what she's doing before or while she does it. If your health care provider is a man and you feel a little uncomfortable, you can ask a woman to stay with you in the room during your exam. Your clinician will check out your vaginal area for signs of irritation, discharge, warts, or other conditions. Next, she'll open your vagina so she can see your cervix. She'll check for any abnormalities and collect a bit of fluid for a Pap test, to see if the cervix is healthy. She might also test for infections. Usually you have to request these tests specifically so you should talk to her first and decide together what kind of tests you should have. Then, wearing gloves, she'll put a finger in your vagina and press on your abdomen with the other hand. This will tell her if your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are free of fibroids, cysts, and tumors. You'll feel some pressure during this part of the exam, but if you feel
tenderness or pain, tell your clinician because this could indicate a problem.That’s all there is to it! So relax when you think it’s time for your gynecological exam. The exam will probably take a shorter amount of time to complete than it did to read this page. It’s your doctor’s job to make sure you’re healthy down there and to teach you how to keep taking care of your body in between the visits.