What's a typical first time gynecological appointment like? Posted: 11-06-07 01:16am
This may sound like a dumb question but I
just want to double check.
I’m getting close to twenty now and
I’ve yet to go to the gynecologist.
I’m here at college with no car, so I
checked the health services offered by my
college and they say they have pelvic
exams, pap smears, contraceptives, and
pregnancy testing. Sounds right to me, but
is there anything wrong with going to a
campus clinic first rather than an actual
clinic? Is that the typical first time
gyno trip? I’m pretty much going because
I’ve never been to one yet and I want to
try birth control. Should I just wait
until semester break when I can get home
or is this good?
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yogahoneybunny
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Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 871 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
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Posted: 11-07-07 04:14am
There is no dumb question!
Campus clinics are actually pretty cool
and are fully equipped to handle annual
exams. I recommend you actually go to this
clinic, and get acquainted with the system
and staff there...it'll be easier to
manage your birth control in case you have
any problems, rather than waiting for your
next trip home. Plus, they'll be there
for you in any emergencies.
For your first annual exam, you can expect
a full check of the reproductive system.
The doctor should teach you how to do a
breast exam, and then will palpitate your
entire pelvic region, looking for
abnormalities. Then the feet in the
stirrups. They check for healthy ovaries,
for example, by inserting two fingers into
the vagina and pressing on your abdomen.
Then, the pap smear using a strange device
to increase the pelvic opening ... this is
a little uncomfortable, but very important
... twice during my annual exams doctors
have viewed cervical abnormalities of the
skin, which could have been
pre-cancerous...so just forgo the
discomfort in the interest of your health
as a whole...
Thoughts?
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Tylanas
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Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 12985
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Posted: 11-07-07 09:50am
Yeah, there's nothing wrong with college
clinics! I "loved" the gyno exam I had
done at mine
Honeybunny hit all the main points. The
stomach palpitation tickles me something
fierce, so that's probably my least
favorite part lol.
As for the speculum (the tool used to
expand the vagina for viewing) it can be
either metal or disposable plastic. I've
had both; pretty much the same. I did get
lucky on my first pap, and they had a
metal speculum that was heated!
lol.
An annual exam isn't the most comfortable
thing on the planet, but I can think of
far worse ways to spend 45 minutes.
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Maddie34
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Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 1159 Location: ,
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Posted: 11-07-07 14:41pm
Ok thanks you two, I just called and
scheduled my first exam.
My sister has been on my case for awhile
but every time I asked either my mom or
sister about on campus stuff they either
didn't answer or the topic was switched,
so I wasn't really sure what to think and
I just wanted to make sure it was the same
deal. I'm not worried about being
uncomfortable, just whether or not that
was everything a gyno exam entailed,
anything past that I figure I'll just have
to get over. Thanks for
explaining it to me!
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Thanks for
explaining it to me!