A gynecologist visit can be a daunting thing to young women who have never experienced one. Choosing the right gynecologist can seem even more frightening and confusing, so getting the facts straight is essential. Ending up with a specialist that does not understand your needs is anything but pleasant, but it isn’t hard to find a gynecologist. And it isn’t hard to find the right gynecologist, either. Once you know what to expect and what your needs are, it’s simple.
A gynecologist is a doctor that specializes in treating a woman’s reproductive system. To choose a gynecologist that works best for you and know your own needs. This is the most important step in this entire How-To. Think about what you want to accomplish by seeing this kind of specialist. Think about your health and what the nature of your issues are. You must also decide whether you want a male or female gynecologist (yes, males do this kind of work too!). Gender isn't an issue to everyone, but some women prefer having a female gynecologist for personal reasons. Remember too, that the first visit may be nerve-wracking, but overall your gynecologist will do everything in his or her power to make you feel at ease and comfortable. Use this as an opportunity to learn and love more about your body!
Disclaimer
- This article provides the advice of a non-professional. The information within this article should not be substituted for professional medical advice.
First Visit to the Gynecologist
Here is an educational video about a girl’s first gynecologist visit, including a breast exam (sometimes included in a gynecological visit) and pelvic exam (as well as a pap smear). She explains to her apprehensive friend how the visit went, de-mystifying it for viewers alike. The girl expresses her initial fears of visiting her doctor, but was overall relieved and comfortable enough to speak to her gynecologist about her health issues. She explains the importance of communicating with your gynecologist and being clear about any problems such as painful menstrual cramps or irregular periods. Sometimes women overlook the issues they are experiencing, but it is much more helpful to the doctor and yourself to be honest about everything and to tell your gynecologist about any problems you are encountering. No problem is too small.
Step 1: Your Needs First
Step one is about you and your needs. Consider what they are. You are the most important factor in choosing a gynecologist. This is all about your own health. The right gynecologist for you will be non-judgmental and willing to listen to your issues. If you end up with a gynecologist that doesn't feel right, get a new one. Really, it’s all right to be picky and it might take some time to find the right one. Think of shoe shopping. Would you buy a shoe that doesn’t quite fit? Dealing with a gynecologist that is unsympathetic to a patient’s personal needs is not being professional and is not right for anyone. How do you know if you need to start seeing a gynecologist? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, you should start seeing one as soon as you can.
- Are you sexually active?
- Do you have multiple sexual partners?
- Are you having unprotected sex?
- Are you having problems with your menstrual periods?
- Do you need contraception (birth control)?
- Could you be pregnant?
Clearly, if you are at the very least sexually active or over the age of 18, you should get yourself checked out. You are doing your health a favor and it will prevent problems in the future. Your gynecologist can also help you get the right birth control for you and offer advice if you are planning to get pregnant in the near future. http://www.drdonnica.com/articles/00000155-001.htm
Step 2: Choosing a Male or Female Gynecologist
It is completely up to personal preference whether you decide to go with a male or female gynecologist. Sometimes women prefer a female because they feel having a male gynecologist would feel somehow violating or embarrassing. Remember though, no matter the gender, your doctor is a professional and is not going to scrutinize your vagina's appearance. Gynecologists see several vaginas every day! No two are alike, so don’t get caught up in how much you shave or how the shape of your labia looks. The quality of service you will receive is not going to be affected by the gender of your gynecologist; all it comes down to is a matter of what you feel most at ease with. http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/3179.html Here are a few simple things to remember:
- A gynecologist is a trained professional in the medical field, whether he/she is male or female.
- Gynecologists are not trying to embarrass you by examining the vaginal area; they are looking at you from a strictly clinical standpoint. In fact, most male gynecologists require a nurse present for pelvic exams.
- Is your family doctor male or female? Do you feel comfortable with them? Go with your gut feeling about whether you would prefer a male or a female.
Step 3: What to Expect
So it's the day of your first ob/gyn appointment! What's going to happen once you're in the examination room? Here's a run-down, and it somewhat follows suit to the exam shown in the video on this page.
Be sure to bring identification, such as a social security card or driver's license. It is also essential you bring your health insurance card for verification. Once you are registered, you will be seated in the waiting room until your doctor is ready to see you. Most likely, the nurse will ask you if you have to urinate before you go in. Do it, even if you don’t think you will be able to. The doctor may put pressure on your abdomen that might make you feel like you have to pee. She may also weigh you if you have not been to their facility before. Once in the exam room, she will take your vitals and the gynecologist will take over (the nurse will stay in the room if your examiner is male). Once the doctor is introduced, he/she will most likely ask you to strip down (most of the time just waist down unless a breast exam is included) and put a sheet over your bottom half. The doctor will leave while you undress and return when you're finished. You will put your feet in stirrups to help spread your legs apart on the exam table. Your gynecologist will use a speculum with lubrication on it to open up the vagina so that it is easy to see the walls and up to the cervix. Speculums are usually made of metal or plastic, and they may feel cold at first. Let your doctor know if you feel any pain or discomfort. He/she may use a cotton swab to take a small skin sample from inside the vagina to test for STDs or HIV or other health problems.http://www.scarleteen.com/article/pink/your_first_gynecologist_visit
The gynecologist will also put a gloved finger or two into the vagina and put pressure on your abdomen. It may be a little uncomfortable, but it is essential for finding anomalies in the organs, possible tumors, or cysts. After the examination, you will have time to discuss any issues you are having with the gynecologist. Be sure to be completely honest and descriptive, as this will better assist your doctor in treating you.
References
Fast Facts
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Take a shower before your appointment. You'll feel refreshed and relaxed, and not worried about how "clean" you are down there.
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Urinate before you go into the exam, even if you think you don't need to.
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Take along a pantiliner; the lube they use to insert the speculum may make you feel kind of sticky or wet after the exam.
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Relax!
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Once it's over, decide whether it was a positive or negative experience based on the gynecologist himself/herself. If it was negative, consider getting a different gynecologist. Your healthcare providers should work with you to suit your needs.
