Young women may be wary of the first visit with a gynecologist, and may even not be aware of when they should have that first appointment. A gynecological appointment is all about learning about your reproductive health, and how to take care of yourself. Your family doctor, pediatrician, or a gynecologist can perform this type of appointment, and is there to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and help keep you healthy. Here are some things you may want to know about before you have to put on the doctor’s office fashionable sheet or paper gown:
1. At what age should women begin to see their doctor or gynecologist about sexual and reproductive health?
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, young women aged 13-15 should have an initial visit with their doctor about their sexual reproductive health. Other reasons to go to the gynecologist are:
• If you have had your period, but then don’t have it for three months.
• If you have stomach pain, fever, and a foul smelling discharge from your vagina that is yellow, gray, or greenish in color (this may indicate an infection or pelvic inflammatory disease).
• If you are having problems with your period (irregularity, excessive pain or bleeding, or extended bleeding).
• If you haven’t gotten your period by the age of 15 or within three years of when your breasts started to grow.
• If you are sexually active and miss your period.
While the doctor will not perform a pelvic or pap exam (unless you are sexually active), the doctor may administer the HPV vaccine, may perform an external exam, and will discuss sexual health with the patient and explain how to maintain sexual and reproductive health throughout adulthood. All women, sexually active or not, should visit with a gynecologist by the age of 21.
2. Why do women need to go to the gynecologist?
A gynecologist or a gynecological appointment can help you understand your body and how to take care of it. A doctor also can help you to understand what is considered normal, so you will know when you need to be seen for any problems that may occur. At a gynecological appointment, the doctor can perform specific exams to ensure proper care and diagnose early any problems you may be having with your reproductive health so it can be treated. Sometimes and most importantly, this type of appointment can help you to understand how a woman gets pregnant, and how to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy and STDs.
3. What is a pap smear and pelvic exam?
If you’re not sexually active, you probably won’t need these types of tests until you’re 21, unless you have symptoms of vaginal infection. In a pap smear, the doctor will often use a tool called a speculum to look at your cervix and will also use a long cotton swab-type instrument to swipe cells from your cervix and inside your vagina. The cells collected on the swab will be viewed under a microscope to determine if it is normal tissue, or if more tests or treatment is needed to safeguard against developing disease. In a pelvic exam, the doctor will first look at your external genital area, and then will insert two gloved, lubricated fingers into the vagina to feel your reproductive organs and make sure they are normal in size and feel okay. It doesn’t hurt, but you may feel a little pressure. Breathing deeply may help.
4. Do I have to be alone with the doctor?
It’s up to you and what you are comfortable with. If you have a male doctor, a nurse or assistant has to be in the room with you at all times. If you have a female doctor, you can select to do the appointment alone, or you can have your mom, sister or a friend stay in the room during the visit. Feel free to ask questions about anything they will do, so you are comfortable.
5. What else will happen at the appointment?
Most of the appointment will be just talking with the doctor to get your health history, your family health, any sexual history, and you can ask any questions about anything you want to know about. Try and remember that your doctor likely will have heard it all, so don’t be shy, and instead use him or her as a reliable resource you can trust about:
• Your period and any symptoms that bother you (Do you get excessive bleeding, headaches, or cramping?)
• Acne (Are you prone to bad breakouts, or do you need help knowing how to take care of your skin?)
• Weight concerns (Do you want to lose weight, or do you think you may have an eating disorder?)
• Depression (Do you have thoughts that scare you, have you been bullied, or do you think about cutting yourself or worse?)
• Sex, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (Have you ever had sex, or are you curious about it? How do you prevent pregnancy?)
• Anything else you can think of.
Your doctor also will weigh you, measure your blood pressure, and may perform a breast exam. A breast exam doesn’t hurt. Young women often have a certain amount of lumpiness in their breasts, so the doctor is just verifying there aren’t any suspicious lumps. If you are sexually active, your doctor may order some STD tests to make sure you don't have any of those types of infections.
6. Following the initial exam, how often should women visit their gynecologist’s office, and should I ever stop?
Most women should visit their doctor ever year to keep up on pap smears, or every three years when not planning a family and with no symptoms or irregular pap results. If you are on birth control pills, you need to visit with a doctor every year to get a new prescription and verify that the pill is working for you and you’re having no side effects. Many doctors suggest that when a woman reaches the age of 40 she should go for a mammogram test unless there is a family history of breast cancer, then she may want to get the test done earlier. A woman with a clean history of pap smears and no new sexual partners can stop visiting their gynecologist at age 70.
7. When should I make an appointment to see the doctor or gynecologist other than my annual visits, or to get a pap/pelvic exam?
Throughout your life as a woman, you should make an appointment with a gynecologist or other doctor if you experience a noticeable change in your period, think you may be pregnant, are entering menopause, or have irregular bleeding, abdominal pain or genital discomfort.
This information is not meant to be a replacement for talking with your doctor. Be responsible if you’re going to be sexually active and openly talk with your doctor or clinician about your concerns and symptoms as needed.
Resources:
www.ACOG.org “Your First Gynecologic Visit” pamphlet
www.girlshealth.gov Body>Getting help with your health>Why see a gynecologist?
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Christine Jeffries is a writer/editor for work and at heart, and lives in a home of testosterone with her husband and two sons. Christine is interested in women’s health and promoting strong women.