I’m going in for my first routine checkup, what should I expect?

A pelvic exam is a way for your doctor/gyneacologist to examine your female organs and check for any gyneacological problems.

You may be worried about your first pelvic exam. It’s very normal to be anxious about something when you don’t know what to expect. Hopefully after reading this, you will be reassured that it is simple, isn’t painful and takes only about 5 minutes. It is also normal to feel embarrassed or uneasy about your first exam, I still feel embarrassed with mine and I’ve had may many pelvic examinations over the past 9 years due to female related problems I”ve had.. However, if you know what to expect, it may help you relax. I’m sure your doctor understands how you feel and will be sensitive and gentle, and answer any questions you have.

There are no definite rules as to when you should have your first pelvic exam. Most doctors agree that you should have your first exam in the first few years after you become sexually active or when you turn 18, whichever comes first.

I do believe that even though your family doctor knows your father very well that he won’t say anything as he would be risking his job, as whatever is been done and said inside of your doctors office is confidential.

There are other important reasons to have a pelvic exam. These may include:

- Unexplained pain in your lower belly or around the pelvic area, where your vagina is;
- Vaginal discharge or wetness on your underwear that causes itching , burns or smells bad;
- No menstrual periods by age 15 or 16;
- Vaginal bleeding that lasts more than 10 days;
- Missed periods; especially if you are having sex;
- Menstrual cramps so bad that you miss school or work.

Remember, it doesn’t matter how old you are or if you are sexually active, if you ever or at all have any of the above symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor or gyneacologist.

During your first checkup your doctor will ask you questions about:

- Your general health, allergies and medications you are taking;
- Your menstrual period, such as how old you were when you first got it, how long it lasts, how often it comes, how much you bleed , the first day that your last period started, if you have cramps; and at what age your breasts started to develop.
- Whether you have ever had sex or have been sexually abused.
- If you have vaginal itchiness or an unusual discharge (drainage) or odor from your vagina.

If you find it comforting a friend can go with you. There will usually be a nurse or a medical assistant if your doctor is male. After you have given your medical history, been weighed and had your blood pressure checked, you will be asked to put on a gown. You will need to remove your clothes including your underwear and bra. A breast exam is often done as a routine part of this check-up.

Your doctor will explain the steps to the exam and ask you to lie down on the exam table. You will be given a sheet to put over your stomach and legs. You will then be asked to move down to the end of the table and place your feet in stirrups (these are holders for your feet). With your knees bent, you will be asked to let your knees fall to each side allowing your legs to spread apart. This is usually the part when most adolescent and adult women feel embarrassed. This feeling is normal too. Just remember that although this is your first exam, this is routine for your doctor and their only concern is for your health.

There are 3 parts to this exam. Sometimes not all parts of the pelvic exam are necessary. Ask your health care provider which part or parts will be done for your examination.

Your health care provider will first look at the area outside of your vagina, (clitoris, labia, vaginal opening, and rectum).

Now some information about the papsmear. The speculum is an instrument made of metal or plastic. Your doctor will place the speculum into your vagina. After it is inserted, it will be gently opened so that your doctor can see your vagina and your cervix (the opening to your uterus).

After checking your vagina and cervix, your doctor may take a thin plastic stick and a special tiny brush or a small “broom” and gently wipe away some of the cells from your cervix. This is a pap smear, which detects early changes of the cervix before they become cancer. Most girls have normal pap smears
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If you are having vaginal discharge, your doctor will take another sample to check for yeast and other causes of discharge. If you are having sex, your doctor will take another sample from the cervix to check for sexually transmitted diseases. When all of these samples have been taken, your doctor will close the speculum and gently take it out.

When the exam is over, your doctor will answer any questions you have and tell you when to make your next appointment. He will also talk to you about any medications you may need and tell you when and how you will get the results of the exam.

I hope this information helps you out. Best of luck and remember relax, if at any time during your examinations, you feel uncomfortable or anything causes pain, you have the right to stop your doctor.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 12:29 pm and is filed under General Health Topics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.