I just have a few questions about general ob/gyn visits. I am 18 years old and have never been to one. I am confused about if and when I need to go. I have read as early as 13 up to the time you are sexually active. I am not sexually active and don't plan to be until I get married. Also, my periods seen to be regular, not too heavy and not painful. So I guess my first question is, do I need to go? Or can I wait?

And if I should go, what is it like? Does it hurt? Are you supposed to shave down there or not? Is it normal to be this nervous? I have a mom and we are close and stuff but I'm not comfortable talking about this kind of stuff with her.

Also, my mom tends to be a bit "pushy", would she be able to push her way into the exam room? I don't have anything to hide but I think that would be awkward.

Last, talking about all of this stuff makes me really uncomfortable, I don't even like thinking about it, how am I going to let someone touch me down there? Do I tell the doctor I'm uncomfortable or will she already know? Just thinking about this situation is freaking me out and I don't even have an appointment yet!

If you could answer any questions, I'd really appreciate it! Sorry it's so long.

Thanks,

Shanna

Hi there! I just have to applaud you for being mature and taking care of your health. To answer your Qs (the best I can)...I think at 18 you should get a regular exam if you'd like. It couldn't hurt to go and get an exam.
The first time I went was because I was having pelvic pain/ovarian cyst. It wasn't too bad. The Dr can sense how nervous you are and if they know you are new they will take that into consideration. I'd say you should talk to your mom about all your Qs. You are brave enough to ask on here, so asking your mom would be easy!:) Just tell your mom you are old enough to go into the exam room on your own and to wait until its over. (My mom is too so I feel for you!) LOL. I am not sure what else to tell you that would be much help, but good luck if you decide to go to a Dr. It's not that bad and is over pretty quickly. Just take deep breaths and talk to the Dr. so you don't think about it too much and get nervous. I think the worst part is the unknown and the apprehension beforehand. Don't feel embarassed; every woman usually goes through it at some point!!! Have a good day.

Telling your doctor your uncomfortable will help out. He/she should know they can make it as comfortable for you as they can. They don't want you to be scared and feel uncomfortable.

As for your mom, your 18 and an adult, so it is up to you whether she is in the room or not. If you don't want her in there with you, she can't be in there with you.

Good luck. It is a weird experience and its alright to be nervous. We all were our first times.

I've always been told/heard that a girl "must" go by 18, or after her first period, or as soon as she becomes sexually. Alot of girls get their period by 13, some even younger now-a-days, and that seems much too young for an experience with a gyno.. that's why they say by 18.

Once you start menstrating hormones and such change in your body. Even if you're not sexually active, its good to keep your body in check, make sure everything is working the way it should, get regular pap smears. Especially if various cancers; breast, ovarian, cervical..., run in your family.

the Gyno really isn't that bad. The 1st visit is always the worst b/c you don't know what to expect and you're thinking horrible things about it! It is definitely normaly to be nervous! You can even tell the doctor that, they won't take offense to it! They really don't care if you're shaved or not. That's your preference. Since you are 18, your mother should not be allowed in the room, unless you want her there.

I am more comfortable with a female doctor. That's just my preference. All the Women doctors that I've had tell me step by step what they are doing, and why. And don't ever hesitate to ask questions. It's your body and you have a right to know what's going on with it!

When you go, you'll be taken to the examing room where a nurse will take your blood pressure and your weight. She'll ask you about your family medical history and your own. once she's done with that, she'll leave the room so you can change into the gown. You will have to undress completely (you can leave your socks on!) The doctor will knock and come in. Sometimes they ask you some of the same questions that the nurse already did. During a regular visit, the doctor will start with a breast exam. They do this to check for abnormal lumps that could be worrisome. Then she'll move on to do your pap and make sure everything looks and feels ok. The forceps (i think that's what they're called) are more uncomfortable than painful. It shouldn't be painful, and if it is, let them know. You'll need to relax as much as possible. If you're too tense, the doctor will have a hard time getting the forceps in.. your body resisting could cause some pain. The pap is a quick swab with a long q-tip basically. That causes a light cramping feeling for me, but it only last as long as she's using the q-tip, which is about 30 seconds, if that.

The most important thing to remember is that it won't be as horrible as you may be imagining. Everyone is nervous their first time, b/c it is an uncomfortable thing to go through... but that's the worst of it.. just a few uncomfortable minutes. No-one enjoys going to the Gyno-- but its much better than any possible bad alternative. Ask any questions you may have, and don't hesitate to tell them you're nervous. Being your first time, the doctor will probably expect you to be nervous. But I promise.. it's really not that bad, uncomfortable and a bit awkward.. but survivable! You'll be fine!!