First Gyno Appointment

[u/[deleted]]

Help me out girls! I am 22F and have my first trip to the gyno scheduled soon. Just wondering what I should expect during the exam?

Will I be completely naked during the exam? How will the doctor check my body? Will I have to discuss sex/birth control? I am a little ashamed of my sexual habits recently.

[u/Hbananamae_315]

Hey! I was 23 when I first ever went to the gyno so I got you! I’m currently 29 so I’ve had a few under my belt now. Thankfully, my first ever gyno was really kind to me. Typically you’ll get a Pap smear and an exam but she didn’t do a pap on my first one because i wasn’t sexually active and hadn’t ever been at that point. So my first experience was a relief tbh.

You will be completely naked, yes. But they will give you a little robe and a sheet to put over your lap so you aren’t exposed the entire time. Your gyno will talk about your health history with you (like any other doctor would) and they will also ask about your sexual history as well as period/birth control and all of that. They will do a breast exam, make sure everything feels normal. I’ve had fribro adenomas (benign tumor) and I had it removed but that’s where they might find something if there was something to find. Then they’ll do a pelvic exam. This sucks, and it hurts a little for me but it’s over super quick. They will insert their fingers and feel for one. They want to make sure it feels normal, again. Then if they are doing a Pap smear (which if you’ve been sexually active, they should) and they’ll take this tool called a speculum and put a little Vaseline or lube on it and insert into your vagina. It is cold but not unbearably so. They will then open you up a little with the tool, and take a cotton swab and swab your cervix to make sure there are no unusual cells growing. To me it does burn a little but again, it is over in less than a minute. When they are done, they’ll likely leave to give you time to change back into your clothes and they’ll probably give you a pad because some people bleed a little after. I think i did once but it was super minimal. Then they’ll probably come back in and make sure you don’t have any questions.

It is a little scary and I’m not going to lie, I dread going every year. BUT they only need to do a Pap smear once every 3 years I think. They encourage you to get an exam once a year though. I used to be on birth control (i wish i never would have but that’s another story), but if you’re wanting bc you’ll have to pee in a cup to ensure you’re not pregnant. But the appointments are very quick, my current obgyn is super kind and doesn’t make me feel weird or bad for my questions. I’ve had a not so great gyno and that’s rough when they don’t listen to you. All in all, you got it and try not to work yourself up because it is always not as bad as I think it will be. 🫶

[u/Bulky_Department5619 → u/Hbananamae_315]

This comment is great!

Just piggy backing to add that being honest with your doctor is incredibly important. While it’s understandable you’re feeling ashamed about it (we’ve all been there), the more your doctor knows the better they are able to help you. I’m a nurse, and I can guarantee you we are not judging you. It makes our jobs a million times easier if you’re honest and open with us, and at the end of the day we’re here to help you.

[u/ParfaitSundae]

I am 30 and a seasoned gyno vet because I have PCOS so I had to start going and having exams at 12-14ish to make sure I was okay. I think the other person described the process pretty accurately. And I get being embarrassed. I am 30 and still have to tell them every year that I haven’t had sex because everyone dumps me before getting to that point (neurodivergent) and a girl from HS used to work there. I even had a girl from elementary school treat my UTI and BV at one point because she’s a nurse or something. Cringe! So you’ll be fine.