Forum: Advice / Girls Only PG-13
re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By cesaria

re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By Legwarmer



re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By ximmaspecial1x


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam (karma: 1)
By JoyNoelle


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By xSupastarx


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By dancergirl10


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam (karma: 1)
By dance_is_life_99


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By ReelDancer7
re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By KMonster



re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By Danseuse



re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By the_next_prima1

re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By JoyNoelle


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By JoyNoelle


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By MisS_sHoNa

re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By JoyNoelle


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By buhba


re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By Sparkz_Nz


ReplySendWatch Draw
175 Replies to What to expect at your first pelvic exam

By cesaria


On Sat Jan 28, 2006 04:31 PM
Awesome post! I'm a grown woman, and I've been going to the gyno for over 10 years, and I think the pics you posted will really help some girls who are new at this. I remember thinking "speculum? What is a speculum?" the first time I went - it would have been awesome to have this info first.
re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By DragonFly


By DragonFly



On Sun Jan 29, 2006 01:27 AM
thanks that was useful. But kinda scary lol.

By Legwarmer




On Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:43 AM
Scary, but I adore you, honey!
re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By Kirsty_P


By Kirsty_P



On Sun Jan 29, 2006 01:51 PM
Im glad I took the time to read it, great post! I knew most of it, but im pretty sure alot of people won't. Karma+ the will to make a sticky =)

By ximmaspecial1x



On Sun Jan 29, 2006 02:34 PM
This is a really informative post. I have a question though. I am 20 years old and I am a virgin. And I dont just mean that I've never done the deed, I mean I have never had anyone touch me down there. And I have never gone to the gynocologist. I've been thinking for a while that I probably should go just because I've read that you're <i>supposed</i> to...? What do you think?
And wow that speculum thing really scares me. really really.
And wow that speculum thing really scares me. really really.


By JoyNoelle



On Sun Jan 29, 2006 06:01 PM
^ The short answer is: Yes, you should start seeing a gynecologist. I realize I'm an unusual case, but at your age I was battling a near-fatal gynecological illness that ended up forcing a hysterectomy by the time I was 22. Even though it's very unusual for someone your age to have any serious gyn problems, it's still best to start having an annual exam. A few reasons I can think of to support that idea: You will eventually become sexually active; you never know when you may have gyn problems; Pap smears are very good at detecting cancer in its early stages, before any symptoms appear; etc. It's much better to have a doctor you're already familiar, and comfortable, with than to have to find one in a hurry when something comes up unexpectedly.
Regarding the speculum that seems to be scaring people...it's not that bad! Really. The doctor will choose a speculum that's sized appropriately for you. In other words, if you're a young teen, and a virgin, they'll use a very small one, whereas if you're a woman who's borne one or more children, they'll use a larger one. So don't worry about it being uncomfortable because it really shouldn't be. Strange, yes, but not uncomfortable or painful.
Regarding the speculum that seems to be scaring people...it's not that bad! Really. The doctor will choose a speculum that's sized appropriately for you. In other words, if you're a young teen, and a virgin, they'll use a very small one, whereas if you're a woman who's borne one or more children, they'll use a larger one. So don't worry about it being uncomfortable because it really shouldn't be. Strange, yes, but not uncomfortable or painful.

By xSupastarx



On Tue Jan 31, 2006 08:23 AM
Great post!
Really informative and stuff. I'm glad it's been made a sticky, and hope everyone reads it! But goodness, that sure looks painful 



By dancergirl10



On Tue Jan 31, 2006 09:34 PM
I really don't think i'd mind the vaginal exma....but I don't think i want one or more fingers up my bum, its too small an apperature.

By dance_is_life_99



On Thu Feb 02, 2006 07:01 PM
^Uh HUH! I was completely unaware that this included a rectal exam?? I mean...I'm sure it wouldn't be quite as bad for me as I've had other things up there before (even though I did NOT enjoy it)...but I didn't know that was a part of it?? I'm SO not down with that. I know I have to, but wow. Not. Down.
re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By missdancer
By missdancer
On Fri Feb 03, 2006 04:43 PM
Hi.
Sorry if i seem a little dumb but i have NEVER heard of anything like this! Does everyone get it? Is it in every country?
Because im 15 live in Scotland and i've never come across this before!!!
missdancer x
Sorry if i seem a little dumb but i have NEVER heard of anything like this! Does everyone get it? Is it in every country?
Because im 15 live in Scotland and i've never come across this before!!!
missdancer x

By ReelDancer7

On Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:39 PM
I'm pretty sure its in every country. The exam makes sense to get it done. My mom has told my about it. Doesn't sound too bad actually. Everyone makes it to be such a big deal. I'd perfer a woman doctor though.

By KMonster




On Sun Feb 05, 2006 02:35 AM
Just reading that makes me sick to my stomach. I know it shouldn't, but it really does. I'll probably end up crying the first time I go because I'm no nervous. It's good to know that you can request someone to come with you. I'm sure it wouldn't be half as bad holding my mums or my best friends hand as it happens. Thanks for the information I was always curious on the topic.
Kayla*-
Kayla*-

By Danseuse




On Sun Feb 05, 2006 05:30 AM
Thank you for this! I like many here didn't know about the Rectal exam or what a Speculum looks like. Very useful studd indeed.

By the_next_prima1


On Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:05 AM
Great Post! Karma for you! Definately, a good guide for girls who have never seen a gynecologist before.
klp
klp

By JoyNoelle



On Wed Feb 08, 2006 01:10 PM
Silly me! I somehow managed to leave out a picture I meant to include, so here it is. This is an exam table with stirrups:

re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By pirouette89
By pirouette89

On Fri Feb 10, 2006 08:35 PM
I wouldn't mind any of this stuff if I could just get some help! I'm so sick of being an emotional basket case and being in pain half of my cycle. If I could only see a doctor, I wouldn't care about the pelvic or rectal exam. I would welcome it, if anything. I just want to know what's wrong with me and how I can fix it.

By JoyNoelle



On Fri Feb 10, 2006 09:06 PM
^ Can you expand on that a little, Pirouette? What's wrong? What kind of symptoms do you have? What have you done about it? Why haven't you seen a doctor?
If you want to explain your situation in more detail, perhaps someone will have advice/suggestions for you.
If you want to explain your situation in more detail, perhaps someone will have advice/suggestions for you.
re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By pirouette89
By pirouette89

On Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:59 PM
I already posted a while back, but I can't seem to find it in the shuffle. Anyways, I'm concerned I might have an STD that's been lying dormant for several years (I suspect Syphilis the most), but I also think I have some sort of hormonal/chemical imbalance. I'm absolutely emotionally insane for about 10 days each cycle, and it's interfering with my life. I get depressed and can't sleep, even though things are going well for me; I become convinced that the people who are supposed to love me really don't like me at all, but then I think that I can't blame them because I hate myself too.
My mom doesn't think I really have a problem, which may be true, but I've had problems with severe PMS for a long time, and this seems to be escalating each month. I can safely say that this state is WELL beyond PMS. Plus the cramps seem to get progressively worse each month, as well as the nausea (see the current poll). I have a hard time thinking, and I can't pay attention to whatever I'm studying.
Plus I have insomnia really bad for that week and a half or so, and it keeps getting worse. I'm exhausted the next day, but then by the time I crawl into bed I just lie there crying because I think no one likes me. I'm normally not like this! I'm getting really tired of people thinking I'm emotionally unstable because of something hormonal going on in me a large chunk of the time. I don't know if going on the pill would even help that, but at least maybe if I went to the doctor I could figure out what it was.
I have no idea what that describes, but if anyone is reminded of any kind of condition, I'd be interested in knowing about it.
My mom doesn't think I really have a problem, which may be true, but I've had problems with severe PMS for a long time, and this seems to be escalating each month. I can safely say that this state is WELL beyond PMS. Plus the cramps seem to get progressively worse each month, as well as the nausea (see the current poll). I have a hard time thinking, and I can't pay attention to whatever I'm studying.
Plus I have insomnia really bad for that week and a half or so, and it keeps getting worse. I'm exhausted the next day, but then by the time I crawl into bed I just lie there crying because I think no one likes me. I'm normally not like this! I'm getting really tired of people thinking I'm emotionally unstable because of something hormonal going on in me a large chunk of the time. I don't know if going on the pill would even help that, but at least maybe if I went to the doctor I could figure out what it was.
I have no idea what that describes, but if anyone is reminded of any kind of condition, I'd be interested in knowing about it.

By MisS_sHoNa


On Sat Feb 11, 2006 12:52 AM
thank you so much!!!!! i was just about to post a 'HELP! i need to get a pap smear and dont know what to do!' post lol
shona
shona


By JoyNoelle



On Sat Feb 11, 2006 09:50 AM
^ You're welcome, Shona! Glad it helped.
^^ Pirouette, I just reviewed the post you'd made some time ago and it refreshed my memory on the whole issue. I guess I'm a bit confused at this point as to why you still haven't seen a doctor.
You were given lots of great advice, such as going to Planned Parenthood or local health department clinics for free or low cost exams/tests, but apparently you haven't gone yet. You were concerned about lying to your mother, but I don't get why you'd have to. For one thing, you're at an age where it's certainly reasonable to be seeing a gynecologist, but you're also at an age where you can get yourself to a clinic without your mother's knowledge. So if you really feel the need to keep this secret from her, why not get yourself to a clinic and get it over with?
Clearly, you need to see a doctor, and I hope you'll do that soon. If you want to discuss this further, I'd like to suggest using your original thread so that we can keep this one on-topic.
^^ Pirouette, I just reviewed the post you'd made some time ago and it refreshed my memory on the whole issue. I guess I'm a bit confused at this point as to why you still haven't seen a doctor.

Clearly, you need to see a doctor, and I hope you'll do that soon. If you want to discuss this further, I'd like to suggest using your original thread so that we can keep this one on-topic.
re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By pirouette89
By pirouette89

On Sat Feb 11, 2006 11:26 AM
Edited by pirouette89 (95651) on 2006-02-11 11:31:31
I can't drive, or I would take myself. And anyways, I had no intention of bringing everything up again until you asked...
If I do have something terrible, I don't want to go around my mom's back to find out about it. I want her on my side. And I have issues with Planned Parenthood; I don't trust them, and I don't want them looking at my body. I think I can hold out another year if my alternatives are to be sneaky and dishonest to my mom. I'm now the proud owner of a hot water bottle, and as far as the emotional stuff goes maybe if I exercise more I'll feel better.
Back on topic, does it hurt at all when they do the bi-manual? I don't like being touched that low down on my stomach, and I think it would be uncomfortable to have much pressure applied there. I didn't really get that part of the thread.
If I do have something terrible, I don't want to go around my mom's back to find out about it. I want her on my side. And I have issues with Planned Parenthood; I don't trust them, and I don't want them looking at my body. I think I can hold out another year if my alternatives are to be sneaky and dishonest to my mom. I'm now the proud owner of a hot water bottle, and as far as the emotional stuff goes maybe if I exercise more I'll feel better.
Back on topic, does it hurt at all when they do the bi-manual? I don't like being touched that low down on my stomach, and I think it would be uncomfortable to have much pressure applied there. I didn't really get that part of the thread.

By buhba



On Wed Feb 15, 2006 05:21 AM
Edited by buhba (130943) on 2006-02-15 05:22:45 cannot seem to read properly
:o oh dear, helpful, but scary!
re: What to expect at your first pelvic exam
By dancerchick375
By dancerchick375
On Thu Feb 16, 2006 09:20 PM
Joy Noelle love your icon anyways nice pictures. ive never been to a genocologist and i dont think i need to but nothings wrong with a check up
riley
riley

By Sparkz_Nz



On Wed Mar 01, 2006 01:48 AM
Hey Joy!
I just have to say, it's not the same in EVERY country, well not exactly.
I had my smear test today, nice!
We too have a speculum, or apparently, I've never had the name explained to me. My sheet that I got after the test says:
They don't take smears off women that at virgins, as HPV (the Human Pap-something virus they test for) is an STD, so no sex, no HPV.
But that's just the policy here, I'm glad though, it allowed me to delay them for a while!
Your guide looks very informative. I'm just glad we don't have those stirrup things, they look HORRIBLE, and so 70s! All I was asked to do was to lie on the table and put my feet together and my knees apart. Ahhh charming tests they are.
I just have to say, it's not the same in EVERY country, well not exactly.
I had my smear test today, nice!
We too have a speculum, or apparently, I've never had the name explained to me. My sheet that I got after the test says:
- All woman between 20 and 70 who have ever had sexual intersourse should have regular tests.
They don't take smears off women that at virgins, as HPV (the Human Pap-something virus they test for) is an STD, so no sex, no HPV.
But that's just the policy here, I'm glad though, it allowed me to delay them for a while!
Your guide looks very informative. I'm just glad we don't have those stirrup things, they look HORRIBLE, and so 70s! All I was asked to do was to lie on the table and put my feet together and my knees apart. Ahhh charming tests they are.
ReplySendWatch Draw
XL
LG
MD
SM
XS
XL
LG
MD
SM
XS