The prospect of a first-time visit to the gynecologist can be overwhelming. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can make the experience less stressful. Here are five things to know before your first gyno exam.
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If you’re nervous, you can bring along someone you trust
Going to your first gyno exam may be a nerve-wracking experience. The good news is, you totally don't have to go alone. It is totally okay to bring someone you trust if this would make you feel less nervous and more comfortable.
Of course, you can bring along your mother or even your best friend. Basically, you can come with someone whom you know will make you less nervous during your first visit to the gyno.
Make sure this is someone you can trust because this person will be there to listen to your direct communication with your gyno.
Your gyno will expect you to answer truthfully all kinds of questions about reproductive health, and maybe even your sexual activeness. Your doctor will keep all information you've provided confidential, of course.
Hopefully, you bring along someone who will keep things confidential as well.
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It is important to drink water before your appointment
During your first gyno exam, you will be tested for medical problems you may not yet be aware of. The gyno will want to do a urine analysis or for short, a urinalysis.
This test is done to check for any irregular bacteria growth that may affect the health of your reproductive system. This test can also see any infections in the bladder, and can even see a possibility for diabetes.
To do this test, your gyno or nurse will ask you to urinate into a cup. That said, it would be a good idea to drink at least a glass of water before your appointment. This will make peeing a lot easier later on.
It may even be a good idea to bring a water bottle with you so you can drink some water when you are in the gyno's office.
Dr. Ross mentions in an interview with Teen Vogue that by providing a urine sample in a cup, gynecologists can carry out a 'dipstick' analysis. This straightforward in-office test helps identify potential issues in your body that you might not be conscious of. For instance, the presence of bacteria could indicate a bladder infection, while detecting sugar (glucose) might point towards diabetes.
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It’s totally acceptable to reschedule if your period suddenly comes
So, you have made your appointment ahead of time. You were sure the day of your appointment would not coincide with your period.
But something else happened and now your period falls on the day of your pre-made appointment. What should you do? Would it be impolite and unprofessional to cancel? The answer is not at all.
It is totally acceptable to reschedule your appointment if your period suddenly comes on the day of your agreed appointment. Your gyno or the nurse will totally understand that. Your body is not a clock and sometimes your period cycles vary.
This can totally happen and your gyno and the nurse will totally understand. Don’t force an appointment if you’re bleeding as the exam could be uncomfortable.
Having your period during a gyno exam could also affect the result. It is best to reschedule and come another time.
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A pelvic exam is not necessary if you’re not 21 yet
Your first gyno exam is usually recommended once you are pubescent. For many girls, this phase starts at the age of 13 to 15. During this time, when you make your first gyno visit, you will not need to do a pelvic exam or pap smear.
This type of exam is usually done to check for cervical cancer, but girls under the age of 21 do not need this exam at all.
As stated by The Mayo Clinic, females below the age of 21 typically do not require invasive vaginal examinations unless they are dealing with specific medical conditions or risks. While the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests pelvic exams for women aged 21 and above, the organization clarifies that these exams are not essential for screening sexually transmitted diseases. They are only recommended if a woman has initiated oral contraceptive use, as this can potentially impact the vaginal and cervical linings.
That said, if you are concerned about the possibility of gynecologic cancers, you can do a pap smear test once you turn 21 years of age.
So then, what happens on your first gyno exam if your first visit is when you are under 21 years of age? What will the physician check for? Most of the time, the physician will check for any irregularities with your period.
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You don’t need to shave your legs or pubic hair
Some girls worry that their gyno might be offended by the natural appearance of their bodily hair. With that said, you might be worried if it would show good manners to shave your legs or even pubic hair before your appointment.
That's kind of good thinking on your end. However, this is not actually necessary at all. Gynos are doctors who have dealt with all kinds of the vulva and pubic hair. They don't care. Really, they don't.
Gynos are not beauticians, so they don't pay attention to that kind of thing. Your gyno is there to examine your health, not your physical appearance. That said, shaving before an appointment is not necessary nor would it affect your examination.
According to Women's Health, Draion M. Burch, D.O., a board-certified ob-gyn and sexual health advisor for Astroglide, emphasizes that there's no requirement to shave your legs or wax your vulva. He explains that these aspects aren't of concern during medical appointments. Whether you choose to remove all hair, wax it, laser it, or have full pubic hair, it doesn't impact the nature of the examination or procedure.
If shaving your legs and pubic hair is just part of your hygiene routine, you can totally do it. But you don't have to.
In conclusion, we discussed the five basic things every woman should know before their first gynecological exam. Knowing basic questions and information can help women ask relevant questions to their healthcare providers about their reproductive health.
Is Loss Of Libido Such A Big Factor?
Many women don’t really know the importance of sexual activity in their life. Some feel it doesn’t play such a big role while others think that they’re happy with limited sex. However, you’ll be surprised to know that loss of libido is a really big factor that holds the key for your relationship with the partner. Read on to know more.
Men by nature are more sexually driven than emotions and you need to keep up with their demands/urge for sex for a happy and long relationship. However when you’re not able to meet his demands of a normal sex life then it is possible that he might look for other options and that is really dangerous for your relationship.
Many times it is noticed that a woman loses her appetite for sex in the normal course of life for various reasons such as stress, hectic lifestyle, motherhood, the dissatisfaction of sexual activity, depression and many others. It is really difficult for a woman to come out of this state of mind and concentrate on the sexual activity.
Why do people consider the loss of libido as a very crucial factor in your life? Does it really have the capability to destroy your relationship? Read on.
The reality:
Loss of libido could be more serious than you had ever imagined. Many times a woman feels it is ok to lose sexual interest for a while but it could have serious effects on your relationship with your husband/boyfriend. No matter how much he loves you at the end of the days your partner expects you to actively participate in the sexual intercourse.
When you’re mentally not ready for the action and if the partner tries to force the action on you then the relationship might come to an end. The constant denial of sex might make your partner lose patience and behave in an aggressive manner which could be dangerous for your relationship.
It is also possible that your partner might get into an extramarital affair with somebody else to fulfill his sexual needs. This could be very dangerous for the future of your relationship. In order to be in a happy relationship female libido also plays a very important role. Make sure you correct this disorder else the writing is on the wall.
What are the solutions?
When you’re suffering from the loss of libido then the first thing that you need to do is to let your partner know about it. This will ensure that your partner doesn’t lose confidence in you and can help to come out of this problem. Discuss the issue openly with him. There are many libido boosters available in the market which could solve your problem.
Conclusion:
No matter how much you deny the fact is that loss of libido proves to be a dead end for your happy relationship. You can come out of this situation permanently with the help of many effective products in the market.